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The clash between Serbia and Brazil will be played at the Otkrytiye Arena in Moscow on June 27th. The Brazilians needed more than 90 minutes to finally break the resilient Costa Ricans in the previous game, while Serbia lost in the last minute to Switzerland despite having a lead at halftime.
Serbia vs. Brazil
Three-Way: 1: Serbia +650; X: +350 Draw; 2: Brazil -200 (Odds provided by Delaware Park Sportsbook)
Spread +1: Serbia -103; Brazil -104
Total 2.5 goals: Over -110; Under -110
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Serbia entered the game with Switzerland quite furiously and Aleksandar Mitrovic had a chance to open the scoring only a few moments before he beat Yann Sommer with an excellent header into the roof of the net to make it 1-0 in the 5th minute. The Eagles were a better side in the first half and they closed the door at the back, so Switzerland couldn’t create a clear-cut chance on the other end, so Serbia had a 1-0 lead at halftime.
Only 45 minutes separated them from the Round of 16, but the Swiss started playing way better in the second 45 minutes and already in the 52nd, Granit Xhaka collected a rebound and hit the ball with his left foot to the bottom right corner to equalize the score, completing the BTTS at +100. Switzerland continued with the attacks, while Serbia waited for their chance on the break, but XherdanShaqiri was the one who hit them on the counter in the 90th minute and coolly sent the ball past Vladimir Stojkovic to complete a comeback and secure three points to his team. Switzerland won at +200, while the third goal sent the game to over 2.5 goals at +140.
On the other hand, Brazil needed a win against Costa Rica following an unimpressive display in a tie with Switzerland, but they couldn’t beat Keylor Navas in the first half as the Ticos defended superbly. The Selecao switched to a higher gear early in the second half and missed a couple of excellent opportunities through Philippe Coutinho, Neymar, and Gabriel Jesus who hit the crossbar with a header in the 50th minute.
The Brazilians went all in in the final minutes of the match and their determination paid off in the 91st when Coutinho was the quickest to react to a rebound to send the ball behind Navas’ net to make it 1-0. A big burden fell off their chest and they added another one in the 97th minute when Douglas Costa found Neymar in the box, and the forward had no trouble to beat Navas with a nice finish to set the final score, 2-0.
Players to watch
Sergej Milinkovic-Savic disappointed in a game with Switzerland after an impressive display against Costa Rica, and he must bounce back on this one when his country needs him the most. The powerful midfielder will play behind Aleksandar Mitrovic and can create havoc in the opposing box thanks to his strength, great shot from distance, and ability to score from the air.
Neymar didn’t have the luck to score for more than 180 minutes, but he finally broke the deadlock in injury time against the Ticos, and he will be less pressurized to perform here, which can only be a good news for the Paris Saint Germain’s striker.
Probable Lineups:
Serbia: Stojkovic; Ivanovic, Milenkovic, Tosic, Kolarov; Milivojevic, Matic; Tadic, Savic, Ljajic (Kostic); Mitrovic.
Brazil: Alisson; Fagner (Danilo), Silva, Miranda, Marcelo; Casemiro, Paulinho (Fernandinho); Coutinho, William, Neymar; Jesus (Firmino).
Betting Prediction
Serbia’s chances to win the World Cup are now +25000, while the Eagles are +1100 to reach the quarter-finals. Brazil chances to win the World Cup are +500, while the Selecao is -188 to go to the quarter-finals.
Brazil is a strong favorite at -200, but you don’t want to risk your stake just to win half of it, so it’s might be the best option to back the Selecao to win by two goals as the Eagles will have to go all-in, which will leave plenty of space for the speedy Brazilians to put the game into the bed.
The Pick: Brazil AH +1 (-104)