Scotland vs Brazil Predictions
Scotland will offer plenty of resilience, but Brazilian quality should eventually shine through in sweltering Miami conditions.
I have my stake on Brazil to win with at least two goals scored.
Brazil Backed to Claim Spoils
- Brazil won 4 of their last 5 matches
- Brazil scored 2+ goals in 4 of their last 5 matches
- Brazil won 8 of their last 10 matches against Scotland
- Scotland lost 5 of their last 8 matches (World Cup Finals)
Brazil Boast Dominant Record in Scotland H2H
Brazil and Scotland have met on ten previous occasions. Brazil won eight of those games while Scotland secured only two draws.
Scotland Struggle Against Morocco
Scotland make the trip to Miami after a painful 1-0 defeat against Morocco on Friday evening. Ismael Saibari's second-minute strike stunned the Scots and ultimately proved decisive in a contest short on clear-cut chances.
Steve Clarke's side struggled to gain a foothold in the first half and were second best for long periods. Scotland improved after the break and were unfortunate not to be awarded at least one penalty as they pushed for an equaliser in a more competitive second-half display.
Both teams created little in the final third, with xG totals of just 0.54 and 0.97 highlighting the lack of attacking quality on show.
The Scots have lacked a cutting edge in both of their two World Cup matches and in previous appearances at tournament finals. Clarke’s men have scored just four goals in eight appearances at the Euros and World Cup since 2021.
In this competition, Scotland have registered just one shot on target in their two Group C fixtures.
Bidding to reach the knockout phase in a major competition for the first time in their history, Scotland’s record against Brazil offers little encouragement. The Scots lost three of four previous World Cup encounters against the South Americans, including a 2-1 defeat in 1998 and a 4-1 reversal in 1982.
Brazil Ease Past Haiti
Brazil face their final Group C fixture after a straightforward 3-0 win against Haiti on Friday. Matheus Cunha scored twice before Vini Jnr struck in a dominant first half from Carlo Ancelotti’s side.
Despite the ease of victory, the Brazilians still looked some way short of serious World Cup challengers. The Selecao registered only eight efforts on goal against the Caribbean minnows.
Indeed, Haiti outshot Brazil seven to two in the second period, although the South Americans had clearly taken their foot off the gas by that stage.
The five-time world champions have now won four of their last five games, but were held to a 1-1 draw by Morocco in their opening Group C fixture.
A lack of firepower is rarely an issue for the Brazilians. The South Americans scored two goals or more in all but one of their last 11 wins over the past two years.
Squads and Team News
Scotland Squad
Goalkeepers: Angus Gunn, Liam Kelly, Craig Gordon
Defenders: Aaron Hickey, Andy Robertson, Grant Hanley, Kieran Tierney, Jack Hendry, John Souttar, Dominic Hyam, Nathan Patterson, Anthony Ralston and Scott McKenna
Midfielders: Scott McTominay, John McGinn, Tyler Fletcher, Ryan Christie, Ben Doak, Lewis Ferguson, Kenny McLean, Findlay Curtis
Forwards: Lyndon Dykes, Che Adams, Ross Stewart, George Hirst, Lawrence Shankland
Scotland manager Steve Clarke is expected to make a couple of changes to the side that slipped to defeat against Morocco. Scott McKenna has recovered from a calf strain and could come into the defence, while Ben Gannon-Doak is pushing for a recall after starting on the bench last weekend.
Kieran Tierney could make way after his surprise deployment in midfield against the Moroccans.
Speaking after the defeat in Boston, Clarke expressed frustration at several refereeing decisions, particularly a first-half challenge on Che Adams.
"I was a little disappointed with the last-man foul on Che Adams," Clarke told the BBC. "For me, he might be through on goal. On another day, you might get those decisions."
Clarke also highlighted John McGinn's second-half penalty claim.
"Everyone was talking about Scott McTominay, but I thought the John McGinn one was 50-50. Che Adams was one-on-one with the goalkeeper, and the referee chose a yellow card. VAR backed that decision. There's nothing we can do about it."
Brazil Squad
Goalkeepers: Alisson Becker, Weverton, Ederson
Defenders: Gabriel Magalhães, Marquinhos, Alex Sandro, Danilo, Bremer, Leo Pereira, Douglas Santos, Roger Ibañez
Midfielders: Ederson, Casemiro, Bruno Guimarães, Fabinho, Danilo Santos, Lucas Paquetá
Forwards: Vinícius Júnior, Matheus Cunha, Neymar, Raphinha, Endrick, Luiz Henrique, Gabriel Martinelli, Igor Thiago, Rayan
Head coach Ancelotti is unlikely to make too many alterations from the side that eased past Haiti. Neymar has returned to full training but is unlikely to force his way into the first XI.
Ancelotti said: “Neymar will train individually tomorrow, then Sunday back training with the team and then called up against Scotland.”
After scoring twice against Haiti, Matheus Cunha is likely to keep his place as the focal point in the Brazilian attack.