Brazil play Ecuador in Porto Alegre
Kick-off : 9:45 PM (Local)
Venue : Arena do Gremio, Porto Alegre
Tite has already guided the Selecao to the finals but they will want to keep the winning momentum going. Finishing top in the South American World Cup Qualifying table will be their aim.
If they defeat Ecuador on Thursday night, they will be guaranteed a first place finish in the South American qualifying section.
Brazil are nine points clear of second-place Colombia with four games to play. They have a goal-difference advantage as well.
They next have visits to Colombia and Bolivia to make next but are untouchable in their Continent in terms of qualifying.
Everything seems to be falling in place for Tite. His last game, a friendly against Australia resulted in a comprehensive 4-0 win and will now be ready for new challenges.
Neymar has joined PSG and will now be the main man and get regular games, whereas Philippe Coutinho looks set to join Barcelona to replace him.
So, the coach’s key players are on their way and getting big, momentum-building seasons. Their are a few who want to face them in next year’s world cup.
Team news and possible line-ups
Jefferson Montero will not be available for Ecuador due to muscle injury. While Antonio Valencia will play for them on Thursday.
David Luiz and Douglas Costa are the ones who have been left out of the squad. Philippe Coutinho have been declared fit to play despite having missed the start of the new Premier League season.
Tite has no injury issues and all of his players are ready to play.
Ecuador XI : Dreer, Velasco, Achilier, Arboleda, Ramirez, Antonio Valencia, Noboa, Gruezo, M. Caicedo, Cazares, F. Caicedo.
Brazil XI : Alisson, Alves, Marquinhos, Miranda, Marcelo, Casemiro, Coutinho, Augusto, Paulinho, Jesus, Neymar.
Prediction
I expect Brazil to be comfortable winners. The scoreline could be 2-0.
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