Our football match prediction:
Brazil
Match Time & Date:
17/06/2018
19:00 GMT
Prediction: 2-1
Switzerland
Brazil will be aiming to kick off their 2018 World Cup campaign with a win when they take on Switzerland at Rostov Arena. Key player Neymar marked his return from injury with a stunning goal in a 2-0 win over Croatia and all eyes will be on the PSG superstar when the Selecao face the Rossocrociati in their World Cup opener. Vladimir Petkovic’s men, on the other hand, did well to hold star-studded Spain to a 1-1 draw earlier in June, which is surely giving fans a reason for optimism ahead of the trip to Russia. A man to watch in Vladimir Petkovic’s team will be Xherdan Shaqiri, who is likely to prove a handful for the opposition defenders. Switzerland recorded a 1-0 win over Brazil in a friendly in 2013, but seeing that Tite’s men impressed in the 2018 World Cup qualifiers, we predict that Neymar and Co. are going to emerge triumphant in Sunday’s football match.
Highlighted Player (Neymar):
Neymar is a Brazilian football superstar who plays for Barcelona as a winger. The pacey footballer, who is capable of playing as a centre forward as well, is well known his creativity, passing and finishing. Neymar was born in Mogi das Cruzes on 5 February, 1992 and he began his senior career at Santos. After scoring 54 goals in 103 appearances for the Brazilian outfit, he joined Barcelona in 2013. The Brazilian ace signed a five-year deal with the Catalan outfit and he has been playing for the La Liga giants ever since. Neymar the 2014/2015 Champions League trophy with Barcelona and that is considered his biggest success. It has to be noted that he clinched the FIFA Club World Cup trophy with Barca as well. Speaking of his international career, the Barcelona star made his Brazil debut on 10 August, 2010 against USA and it has to be noted that he scored on his debut. In 2013 he won FIFA Confederations Cup with the Brazilian national team. Neymar was born on 5 February, 1992.
Highlighted Team (Switzerland):
While missing the first ever World Cup, Switzerland played at next four, reaching the quarter-finals on three occasions, but they were unable to repeat the success in next six appearances. Nati reached the first knockout stage in 1994, 2006 and 2014, but they couldn’t make the next step. When it comes to their European Championship appearances, the situation is even worse, as the team only qualified for the 1996, 2004 and 2016 finals, while they automatically qualified for the 2008 tournament together with co-hosts Austria. Switzerland national team of late have profited from the multicultural environment, as they appear to have closed the gap behind top European sides and also adopted a more adventurous style of play. The new generation is probably the most talented yet, with players like Xherdan Shaqiri, Granit Xhaka, Stephan Lichtsteiner, Ricardo Rodriguez and Valon Behrami all held in high regard. Nati now have a unique chance to try and reach the closing stages of a major tournament as their key men are either at their peak or will be there in the next couple of years.
