Brazil are preparing to face South American rivals Argentina in a crucial World Cup qualifier on Thursday
A high-profile battle between two fan-favorite teams Argentina (0-1-1, 1 point) and Brazil (1-1-0, 3 points) is set to happen at the Estadio Monumental Antonio Vespucio Liberti in Buenos Aires.
Argentina is currently struggling to find a win without its main man, Lionel Messi, who is still nursing a torn internal collateral ligament in his left knee. The team shockingly dropped its first game against Ecuador, 0-2, then settled for a goalless draw against Paraguay in their next match at the Estadio Defensores del Chaco in Asuncion.
La Albiceleste striker Sergio Aguero is also out with a hamstring injury, which further depleted Gerardo Martino’s scoring options in the competitions.
Meanwhile, Brazil is ready to welcome back team captain Neymar to the national team after serving a four-game suspension from FIFA for being one of the instigators of a fight-marred game versus Columbia during this year’s Copa America.
Selecao routed Venezuela in their most recent match of the tourney, 3-1, at the Estádio Castelão in Fortaleza. Chelsea’s attacking midfielder Willian had a brace in the first half before Venezuelan winger Christian Santos answered with a strike four minutes after the hour mark. Striker Ricardo Oliveira scored at the 73rd to seal the Canarinho’s win.
Match facts
- Brazil have won 7 of last 13 Superclasicos, with Argentina winning two and another four ending in draw
- Brazil scored two goals or more in each of last four matches against La Albiceleste
- Brazil have three wins and a draw in last four competitive games vs Argentina, boasting 10:2 goal difference
- Neymar scored 11 goals in 10 league matches this term. He has 46 goals in 67 Selecao caps
- Argentina have failed to score in three of last five matches in all competitions
- La Albiceleste will be without Messi and Aguero, who have 81 international goals between them
Team News
Important players Leo Messi, Sergio Aguero and Fernando Gago were omitted of the Argentina squad for qualifiers against Brazil and Colombia through injury, while Pablo Zabaleta and Ezequiel Garay were forced to withdraw at a later date.
Also, after suffering a knee injury in the Argentine Cup final, Carlos Tevez is almost certain to miss out, whereas it looks as though Javier Pastore will not be fit to start either.
As for the Brazil, Barcelona superstar Neymar returns to the side after missing the opening two qualifiers through suspension and he arrives in excellent form having netted 11 goals in 10 La Liga fixtures this season.
Defenders Marcelo and Marquinhos were forced to pull out of the Brazil squad, with uncapped Arsenal stopper Gabriel Paulista and newcomer Atletico Mineiro’s Douglas Santos called to replace them.
Predicted line-ups
Argentina: Romero – Roncaglia, Otamendi, Demichelis, Mas – Biglia, Mascherano, Banega – Di Maria, Higuain, Correa.
Brazil: Alisson – Alves, Luiz, Miranda, Filipe Luis – Elias, Luiz Gustavo – Willian, Lucas Lima, Douglas Costa – Neymar.
Sofascore.com
