Brazil vs Belgium Betting Preview

Kick-off: Friday, 6th July @19:00 GMT

Venue:Kazan Arena, Kazan

Head to head record

Belgium vs Brazil5-1 (1963 friendly)

Brazil vs Belgium 5-0 (1965 friendly)

Belgium vs Brazil 1-2 (1988 friendly)

Brazil vs Belgium 2-0 (2002 World Cup)

Brazil vs Belgium predictions

Brazil had a tough time of it in group stage games, but we should always bear in mind that Brazil do start slow and were nowhere near the top gear in those matches. In the 1/8 final game, we saw them beat Mexico relatively easy with goals from Neymar and Firminho.

Belgium was always going to make it through to the knockout stage and it was only a question in which place. With much changed teams they managed to beat England and take the tops spot. In the match against Japan they were down 2-0 but managed to win 3-2 in a nail-biting fashion by winning in the last minute.

Brazil have won five out of their last six games without conceding a goal. And they only allowed Mexico one shot at goal in the last game. Belgium will have to produce something special to score. Lukaku and Hazard are definitely capable of that. Only, how do you stop Brazil from scoring?

Back on top

The last time Brazil lifted the World Cup was in 2002. They are odds on favorites to win this year for the sixth time. Three more wins and they could be back on top.

After playing well against Mexico, the coach is not likely to make changes except the ones he has to. Casemiro is not available through suspension and Firminho is probably going to start this time since he is better goal scoring form than Jesus.

Neymar doesn’t seem to pay much attention to the criticism he’s been getting and he keeps scoring. You shouldn’t bet against him scoring again.

A game at a time

The Belgians will have a lot to think about. What happened against Japan, can’t happen against Brazil. Yes, they won in the end, but with seconds to spare and taking a year out of the life of all the Red Devils fans. But winning in such a way is maybe a good wake-up call for the squad. Surviving this may be better for the team against Brazil.

Fellaini and Chadli have performed well after coming on as substitutes and will feel they earned their spot against Brazil, especially since they both scored. In the 2014 World Cup and in the 2016 Euros, Belgium didn’t make it past the quarter-finals stage. The team hasn’t changed much since those two tournaments and they will be determent to do better.

A couple of interesting facts

• While Brazil have won 13 out of their last 16 matches, Belgium are undefeated in nine straight games in the World Cup.
• Overall, Belgium is on a 23 game unbeaten run.
• Belgium is the first team to go 2-0 down and win in the last 48 years.
• Apart from being called “The Selection”, other nicknames for the Brazilian national team include “Little Canary” and “Green and yellow”.

Brazil vs Belgium betting pick

From the start this appears to be a heavyweight match. Neymar, Coutinho at the front for Brazil and Hazard and Lukaku for the Belgians. Brazil is tight defensively but Belgium have scored at least three goals in five of their last six matches. A 0-0 or a 1-0 result is probably not on the cards.

Brazil are favorites to win this game and they probably haven’t hit top gear yet. You can bet that they will not allow another game like against the Germans four years ago to happen any time soon. So the Belgians will have to work really hard in defense and offense. A Belgium win is possible with the kind of work ethic they have. Plus they are the fourth favorite to win the World Cup this year.

Pick: Brazil to win

Odds: 11/10