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England vs Brazil match preview, team news, line-ups and prediction

By on March 21, 2024

Bukayo-Saka-arsenal

England continue their preparations for the European Championships when they take on Brazil at Wembley Stadium on Saturday.

The international break is Gareth Southgate’s last chance to have a close look at the player who are in contention to make his Euro 2024 squad so this is an important week for those in the England camp. Supporters are excited to buy Euro 2024 tickets when they’re released and the players will be hoping to secure their ticket to Germany by impressing against Brazil and Belgium over the coming days.

The Three Lions are among the early favourites to go all the way in Germany this summer following another excellent qualification campaign. England finished six points clear at the top of Group C after going undefeated during the group stages. A record of 6 wins and 2 draws was beaten only by Portugal, Spain and France, so it’s no surprise that many are tipping England to do very well at the Euro’s.

Their final qualification game saw England draw 1-1 away to North Macedonia in November and Southgate was disappointed with that result. However, it’s worth remembering that the game was effectively a dead rubber as England had already secured qualification to the finals, so we shouldn’t look too much into it.

Southgate is now preparing to face five-time World Cup winners Brazil at Wembley this weekend and they head into the game unbeaten since losing to France in the quarter-finals of the 2022 World Cup back in December 2022.

While the Three Lions come into this international break in fine form, the same cannot be said of the Brazilians. They lost 1-0 at home to Argentina last time out and haven’t won any of their last four competitive games, suffering three loses including defeats to Colombia and Uruguay.

Brazil are now making preparations for the Copa America and they’ll be desperate to get back on track with a positive result against England this weekend. Unfortunately for new boss Dorival Junior, his squad have been hit by a spate of injuries so they arrive in England with a weakened team and relying on domestic league players.

However, there will still be plenty of familiar faces in the Brazil squad with Aston Villa’s Douglas Luiz, Newcastle United’s Bruno Guimaraes, Fulham’s Andreas Pereira, Wolves’ Joao Gomes and West Ham’s Lucas Paqueta all included in Dorival Junior’s travelling party.

Team news

England have a number of injury issues to contend with as several players have had to withdraw from the squad or are unavailable due to fitness issues.

Liverpool star Trent Alexander-Arnold has been ruled out as he’s missed the last few weeks with a knee injury. Fellow right-back Kieran Trippier is also out due to a calf problem so Manchester City’s Kyle Walker is set to start at right-back.

Crystal Palace star Marc Guehi is ruled out with knee injury that’s kept him out recently so Jarrad Branthwaite has received his first England call-up after impressing in defence for Everton this season.

Jack Grealish is unavailable after suffering a knock while playing for Manchester City recently. In another big blow to England, skipper Harry Kane won’t be involved this weekend after suffering an ankle injury while playing for Bayern Munich last weekend.

As for Brazil, they’ll be without Arsenal attacker Gabriel Martinelli as he’s missed the last few games with a nasty cut to his foot. Fellow Gunner Gabriel Jesus wasn’t called up as he’s still working his way back to full fitness from injury.

To make matters worse, Arsenal defender Gabriel Margalhães was forced to pull out of the squad due to an ankle problem so Brazil have limited options in the middle of defence.

Liverpool No.1 Alisson Becker isn’t fit as he’s still recovering from a thigh injury that’s kept him out lately while Man City stopper Ederson is also out with a thigh injury so Brazil are without their two best goalkeepers.

Man Utd midfielder Casemiro has pulled out of the squad after picking up a muscle injury last week while Neymar is a long-term absentee for the Brazilians as he’s still recovering from injury.

Likely line-ups

Southgate has called up Anthony Gordon so he may want to take a look at the Newcastle winger but he’s unlikely to start ahead of Bukayo Saka, Marcus Rashford or Phil Foden out wide.

Highly-rated midfielder Kobbie Mainoo will be hoping to make his senior debut after being promoted from the U21 following his excellent form for Man Utd this season. However, Southgate is expected to go with Arsenal’s Declan Rice and Real Madrid star Jude Bellingham in midfield.

Chelsea’s Conor Gallagher could also feature while Ollie Watkins is expected to get the nod up front in the absence of Kane. Ivan Toney will be an option from the bench.

Branthwaite will hope to make his bow in defence but Harry Maguire and John Stones are almost certainly going to be Southgate’s first choice centre-back pairing. Luke Shaw is injured so Ben Chilwell could start at left-back.

For Brazil, we could see Bento starting in goal while Danilo, Gleison Bremer and Wendell could all start in defence. Guimaraes and Paqueta should both start in midfield while Rodrygo could join Richarlison and Vinicius Jr in attack.

Likely England XI: Pickford; Walker, Maguire, Stones, Chilwell; Bellingham, Rice, Gallagher; Saka, Watkins, Foden

Likely Brazil XI: Bento, Danilo, Bremer, Beraldo, Wendell; Guimaraes, Paqueta, Maia; Rodrygo, Richarlison, Vinicius Jr

Prediction

England haven’t beaten Brazil since 2013 – which was just their fourth ever win over the South American’s in 26 games – but they have a good chance of improving on that poor record this weekend.

The Three Lions are formidable at home and come into the game in good form so they should be in confident mood. Brazil on the other hand have lost their last three matches and haven’t won since October 2023. They are also missing some key players so won’t be at their strongest on Saturday.

This should hopefully be an entertaining game between two of the top ranked teams in the world. Despite the absence of Kane and Neymar, there is still plenty of attacking talent on show. If I was to pick a winner, I’d give England the edge, but I have a feeling the Brazilians will take something. I’m backing an entertaining 1-1 draw at Wembley. England 1-1 Brazil