Brazil v Switzerland - Preview and possible lineups

Matt Morley 5 years ago 7.6k
Neymar is expected to start despite not yet being 100% fit. AFP

We take a look ahead to Sunday's World Cup Group E clash between Brazil and Switzerland.

Brazil: Neymar is expected to start for the 'Seleçao', despite manager Tite admitting that his star man is not yet at peak fitness. Willian and Gabriel Jesus could line up alongside the PSG man in attack, though Roberto Firmino and Douglas Costa are pushing the pair hard as they hunt for starts themselves.

Switzerland: The Swiss will be without striker Admir Mehmedi, who remains sidelined, whilst a decision remains as to whether to start the misfiring Haris Seferovic up front.

Brazil boss Tite on Neymar's fitness:

"Neymar is not 100 per cent yet, But he is very privileged physically, his sprinting capacity and his speed is really impressive, he hasn't lost that. He's not 100 per cent yet. But he's good enough to play very well."

Switzerland boss Vladimir Petkovic on stopping Neymar:

"Of course Neymar is an exceptional player. It is difficult to hold him back throughout an entire match. Along with Cristiano Ronaldo, he is one of the strongest players in the world.

"We have to prepare mentally to play against such strong players."

Form:

Did you know?

Brazil have only lost once in 21 games with Tite at the helm.

The two sides have met just once in the World Cup, with that encounter back in 1950 ending 2-2.

Brazil are unbeaten in their last 12 World Cup group games (W10, D2, L0), with their last defeat coming all the way back in 1998 against Norway.

Posisble lineups:

Brazil: Alisson; Danilo, Marquinhos, Miranda, Marcelo; Casemiro, Paulinho, Coutinho; Willian, Jesus, Neymar.

Switzerland: Sommer; Lichtsteiner, Schar, Akanji, Rodriguez; Behrami, Zakaria, Dzemaili; Shaqiri, Seferovic, Embolo.

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