After surviving a scare in the round of 16 against Japan, Belgium are set to face an even more dangerous opponent in the form of Brazil this coming Friday. Will Belgium play much better this time around and upend the South Americans? Or will Brazil send Romelu Lukaku and company packing for an early vacation?
Brazil remain on the hunt this year for their sixth World Cup title after downing Mexico in the round of 16 to the tune of a 2-0 score. Superstar striker Neymar netted the first goal of the match followed several minutes later by a strike from Roberto Firmino. Neymar has now scored six World Cup goals and increased his total to 57 goals in 89 appearances representing his country. Neymar definitely has it going right now, as he has scored in two straight contests. Brazil, however, will be minus midfielder Casemiro after collecting his second yellow card of the tournament. Th Green and Yellow are expected to replace him in the starting lineup with Fernandinho. Firmino’s score against El Tri could also mean he could get a nod to start. Brazil have won three of their four meetings all-time with Belgium.
Betting on Belgium (+240)
Unlike Brazil, Belgium did not have it easy in the round of 16, as they needed to pull off something close to a miracle to advance to the quarterfinals. The Red Devils had to overcome a 2-0 deficit to get by Japan via a 3-2 come-from-behind win. We know Belgium have one of the most talented crop of players, but their game against the Japanese showed that the Red Devils have the resiliency to match their skills. The offensive firepower of Belgium is no joke, as they have scored 12 goals in four games thus far in the tournament. That will be heavily tested by Brazil’s sturdy defense that has conceded just one goal in their last four matches. Having the trio of Romelu Lukaku, Kevin De Bruyne, and Eden Hazard, however, almost secures that Belgium are not going to get shut out in any match in Russia. Then again, none of those guys netted any of the team’s three goals versus Japan, thus showing just how deep their squad is
Writer’s Prediction
Brazil clinches a spot in the semis with a 2-1 win over Belgium.
