Brazil will face arguably their biggest Group H test without their best player as they match up against Switzerland while the injured Neymar watches on.
The Paris Saint-Germain attacker suffered a nasty ankle injury in Brazil's group-stage opener, leaving him with a swollen foot and ruled out for the group stages. Brazil boss Tite seemed optimistic that Neymar would return in time for the knockout rounds, but for now, the 30-year-old forward is sidelined.
A Breel Embolo goal was enough to see Switzerland past Senegal 1-0 in their opening match, and they were unlucky not to cash in on other opportunities. The Nati will hope to be more ruthless in a match against the World Cup favorites where every chance will have to count.
With both teams on three points after the first round, a winner here would be in firm control of the group and could potentially even mathematically confirm a knockout place pending the result of the other match.
MORE: How to watch Brazil vs Switzerland
Brazil vs Switzerland odds
Brazil, as tournament favorites, will see the odds heavily skewed in their favor for the foreseeable future, and that's no different here against European opposition.
Sports books are unclear about whether goals will be scored in this match, with Brazil expected to find the back of the net but Switzerland's fortunes going forward more unclear.
Odds via BetMGM (USA), Sports Interaction (Canada), SkyBet (UK), and LadBrokes (Australia).
| BetMGM | Sports Interaction | SkyBet | LadBrokes | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Brazil win | -200 | 1.47 | 4/9 | 1/2 |
| Draw | +310 | 4.20 | 16/5 | 3/1 |
| Switzerland win | +550 | 6.04 | 21/4 | 11/2 |
| Both teams to score Y / N | -115 / -120 | 1.84 / 1.77 | 5/6, 5/6 | 20/23, 5/6 |
| Over / Under 2.5 goals | -135 / -105 | 1.77 / 1.98 | 8/11, 1/1 | 4/5, 19/20 |
| Brazil -1.5 | +135 | 2.37 | — | — |
| Switzerland +1.5 | -190 | 1.57 | — | — |
Brazil vs Switzerland: 3 things to know
Brazil vs Switzerland team news
The absence of Neymar, albeit gargantuan, is unfortunately not the only injury problem for Brazil in this match. Versatile defender Danilo was impressive against Serbia but came off with a similar ankle injury, and he is also likely out for the group stage.
Unlike their opponents, Switzerland have a largely clean bill of health. The only concern coming into the tournament was for goalkeeper Yann Sommer, but he returned from his ankle issue to play in the opener against Cameroon and was extremely impressive, as usual. However, they have lost rising Salzburg star Noah Okafor to a thigh injury for this match.
MORE: Full injury tracker for all 32 teams at the 2022 FIFA World Cup
Brazil vs Switzerland key stats
- Brazil have not lost since the 2021 Copa America final defeat to Argentina, a run of 16 matches unbeaten with 13 wins and three draws.
- Richarlison has scored nine goals in his past seven international appearances for Brazil, with two assists in that span as well.
- Xherdan Shaqiri needs eight more international caps to equal the nation's appearance record of 118 held by Heinz Hermann. Granit Xhaka is right there as well, two back of Shaqiri.
- Brazil and Switzerland have met twice in World Cup play before (1950, 2018), with both matches ending in a draw.
Brazil vs Switzerland match facts
- Date: Monday, November 28
- Kickoff Time: 11:00 am ET / 4:00 pm GMT / 3:00 am AEDT (Tue, Nov. 22)
- Location: Stadium 974
- Official: Ivan Barton (El Salvador)
Brazil vs Switzerland prediction
- Moneyline lean: Brazil (-200)
- Against the spread lean: Brazil -1.5 (+135)
- Score prediction: Brazil 2-0 Switzerland
While Brazil took a while to break down Serbia, and they didn't exactly look impressive, they also remained resilient and came through thanks to Richarlison's late brilliance. Without Neymar, it will be tougher, but this Brazil side is oozing with talent and will be well suited to weather his absence.
Switzerland are a streaky side and have been capable of a few big upsets in the past, such as taking down Spain in September. Sommer is a match-winner on his own, and it will be tough to get by the feisty goalkeeper. Yet this Switzerland team has also slogged through a nasty losing streak not long ago, so it's hard to trust them. They can spring a result on any given day, but to back them here would just be too much risk.
MORE: Brazil vs Switzerland World Cup lineups, starting 11 for Group G match
Brazil vs Switzerland: best bet
While either side could secure a knockout-stage spot with victory in this match, Switzerland will be happy just to take a point. Up against the betting favorites, even that will be a tall task, and the Swiss will have to work hard at both ends to secure a result. It may simply be too tall an order.
Brazil vs. Switzerland best bet
- Pick: Brazil to win to zero
- Odds: +135 (BetMGM)
While Switzerland found a goal against Cameroon, their overall attacking display was predictable and did not inspire confidence. The Swiss side had 51 percent possession and generated 11 corners, but did practically nothing with the ball. They managed just seven shots all match, did not have a single successful dribble, and pumped 20 crosses into the penalty area, completing just three.
Cameroon made a point to smother Granit Xhaka and force his midfield partner Remo Freuler to progress the ball, and he was largely unable to do so. Freuler had just seven passes into the final third, while Xhaka delivered eight despite 22 fewer touches.
All this is to say Brazil should have no problems handling a Swiss attack that is predictable and preventable.
Brazil vs. Switzerland prop bet
- Pick: Brazil to win both halves
- Odds: +260 (BetMGM)
This Switzerland defense can be breached, and if anyone can punish a team for mediocre defending, it's Brazil. Coming into the World Cup, Switzerland had kept just a single clean sheet this calendar year across nine matches, which came in a 1-0 victory over Portugal in which the opponent still racked up 1.47 xG and 20 shots but came up empty.
Switzerland have Sommer in goal, who can produce a masterclass on his best day, but this match should be one-way traffic even without Neymar. Brazil have too much talent to be bothered by one player's absence.
Brazil vs Switzerland flier bet
- Pick: Richarlison 2+ goals
- Odds: +650 (BetMGM)
Riding the hot hand at the World Cup is essential, both for teams to win games and fans to win bets. With Neymar sidelined, there's nobody hotter at the World Cup than Richarlison.
The Spurs frontman has nine goals in his past seven international appearances, and he has three braces in that span, including in the opener against Serbia. It will be interesting to see how Tite chooses to replace Neymar in the attack and what effect that will have on the lineup, but at the end of the day, there's no way Richarlison doesn't head the forward line, given his blistering form.
