Lusail Stadium will play host to Friday's FIFA World Cup game between Brazil and Serbia. The game kicks off at 6:00 am with Brazil heading into the game as favourites with the bookmakers. Continue reading for our in-depth preview of the Brazil vs. Serbia game and give you our free tips and bets.
When: Friday November 25, 2022 at 6:00 am
Where: Lusail Stadium
Bet: Bet On This Match HERE
Brazil vs Serbia Odds
Brazil vs Serbia Preview
Two familiar foes clash with Brazil and Serbia having met at the 2018 World Cup in a section that also contained 2022 group rivals Switzerland.
Four years ago, it was Brazil and the Swiss who qualified, but it was a close-run thing – the Serbs lost only to a 90th-minute goal against their fellow Europeans before being beaten 2-0 by Brazil in the final group game.
While that meeting was a closer-fought encounter than a comfortable-looking 2-0 score might suggest, with Serbian striker Aleksandar Mitrovic spurning two golden chances to level the scores at 1-0, ultimately it was a match that the Brazilians deserved to win.
Mitrovic returns to this World Cup stage stronger than in 2018, having enjoyed a stunning start to his 2022-23 English Premier League campaign. The rejuvenated striker has lit up the EPL – including goals against top-class opponents Liverpool, Arsenal and Tottenham – and has scored four goals in two Uefa Nations League appearances for his country.
But while Mitrovic looks brighter than in 2018, the same cannot be said of his team as a whole.
Serbia failed to reach Euro 2020, finishing third in a qualifying group containing Ukraine and Portugal having drawn once against each opponent but enduring a 5-0 defeat in Ukraine and taking a 4-2 beating at home to Portugal.
Worse still, they suffered a huge upset in the Euro 2020 qualifying play-offs, losing to an unfancied Scotland team on penalties despite having home advantage.
The Eastern European side sacked two managers during the dismal qualification process, with Dragan Stojkovic later taking charge to steer them through World Cup qualifying.
And their attacking performances were much improved under Stojkovic, whose Serbia side went through Group A unbeaten and owed their progress to a winning goal against Portugal in the final minute of their final group game.
However, they conceded in seven of their eight qualifiers, including to Azerbaijan, an often toothless Ireland side and minnows Luxembourg. And Portugal somewhat gifted the Serbs their place at the finals, easing up and sitting back to settle for the point that would have seen them qualify automatically, only to get stung in the 90th minute by the irrepressible Mitrovic.
And if Ireland, Azerbaijan and Luxembourg can score against Serbia, you wonder what this current version of Brazil could do.
Tite’s Selecao have improved since Russia 2018, and they were strong then. Brazil’s exit has since been painted as a masterclass of a performance by Belgium but in truth Brazil were dominant, recording a huge 2.8 expected goals to Belgium’s 0.5 but failing to get the breaks on a day where little went right for Tite’s men.
Now, they are stronger. The squad is simply frightening and six years under one manager has brought stability, consistency and breathtaking fluency in attack.
That may seem no surprise given he can choose from an attacking pool containing Neymar, Vinicius Junior, Richarlison, Gabriel Martinelli, Raphinha, Antony and Gabriel Jesus, but moulding such talent into an effective unit is often harder than it seems.
Richarlison might not be the biggest name in the squad but he has been instrumental in Brazil’s attacking play and can get the Samba Stars on their way with the opener.
Tite has improved Brazil as an attacking team while keeping his side defensively resolute, which has resulted in Copa America glory in 2019 and runners-up medals in the 2021 renewal.
The Brazilians also dominated South American World Cup qualifying, going unbeaten as they won 14 of their 17 matches, and they should again prove far too good for an unconvincing Serbian defence.
Content provided by Ladbrokes
Head To Head Bet
We're tipping Brazil to win at $1.40 odds.
Correct Score:
Correct Score: Brazil 2-0 at $6.50.