World Cup warm up: Brazil looking to live up to tournament favourites tag

If there is one way to get at Brazil this summer, it’ll be to focus efforts down the left flank. The absence of right-back Dani Alves this summer is a huge blow for the five-time World champions in their quest for an unprecedented sixth World Cup triumph. 

Nevertheless, the Seleção came into the tournament as favourites and they’ll be eager to make amends for their eventual semi-final exit on home turf four years ago. The 7-1 defeat to Germany was a real turning point in Brazilian football at a national team level, yet it wasn’t until Tite’s appointment that Brazil began to tick. 

They eased through qualifying as CONMEBOL group winners once Tite took over the reins for the South American powerhouse and are hoping to exorcise any demons from 2014 this summer. Their opening group game match up with Switzerland then couldn’t be more affordable. Granted, the Swiss won nine of 10 qualifying matches, ultimately securing their spot via the playoffs at Northern Ireland’s expense, but their group was overly favourable. 

They’ll find the going tough when they face Brazil on Sunday as they look to make a positive start and progress to the last-16. However, as mentioned, there is a way to exploit Brazil. Danilo is set to start at right-back on Sunday, while a midfield with Paulinho in isn’t the most defensively diligent, which could present problems for Tite’s side. 

Team news and odds in our match preview

Steven Zuber may not be the most glamorous of names in football, and Ricardo Rodriguez’s form has nosedived in recent years, yet the duo linking up down the Swiss left flank have the means to pose Brazil problems. With Xherdan Shaqiri also expected to be handed a free role in the final third, the trio could look to target Danilo and any possible uncertainty down Brazil’s right. 

With an ageing backline, there is a chance for an upset, but even then, Brazil’s quality in the final third is enough to make any team weep. For all of their weaknesses, an expected front four of Willian, Coutinho, Neymar and Gabriel Jesus should put Switzerland to the sword on Sunday. There are chinks in the armour, as with any team, but with one of the world’s best goalkeepers in Alisson, Brazil are likely to keep the Switzerland attack at bay and ease past Vladimir Petkovic’s side. 

Writer predictions: 

Martin Laurence - Brazil 2-0 Switzerland

Ben McAleer - Brazil 3-0 Switzerland

Josh Wright - Brazil 2-0 Switzerland