Brazil vs Cameroon Predictions

This Tuesday’s friendly clash will bring back some memories of the group stage of the 2014 World Cup when Brazil beat Cameroon 4-1 in Brasilia to seal progress. November in Milton Keynes provides a slightly different setting for this one but it should be a good crowd with Brazil seemingly content to make England their new home for friendly fixtures.

This will be their third fixture of the year in England having beaten Croatia in a pre-World Cup friendly at Anfield and Uruguay 1-0 in a heated clash at the Emirates last time out. There were 8 bookings in a particularly bruising ‘friendly’ which wouldn’t have delighted any onlooking club managers. The game was ultimately settled by Neymar’s 76th minute penalty as Brazil extended their 100% record since the World Cup.

As for Cameroon, they were involved in an AFCON qualifier against Morocco last week and a 2-0 defeat leaves them in danger of missing out on that tournament. They weren’t at the 2018 World Cup and have actually only won two matches this calendar year, against Kuwait and Malawi. Therefore it’s safe to say it would be a massive upset were they to get a result here against the South American giants and the odds certainly reflect that.

Brazil have only lost 1 of their last 21 matches, but it was the most important one in the shape of their 2-1 World Cup Quarter Final defeat to Belgium. Despite that, they kept faith with Tite and they have largely impressed since, winning all of their subsequent five games without conceding a single goal. A huge improvement in their defensive prowess has been a theme of life under him and they look very likely to keep a clean sheet here.

This isn’t a vintage Cameroon side and it doesn’t really feel like a balanced squad, with plenty of forwards but not much creativity in midfield. They’ve only scored more than once in 1 of their last 9 matches and it would take a minor miracle for that to change here.

Brazil though may opt to rotate a bit and that could give the likes of Richarlison and Barcelona’s Arthur a fresh chance to impress in national colours. The bookies seem to be suggesting this could turn into a very one-sided game but Brazil haven’t really been thrashing teams all that often. They’ve only netted more than 3 goals in 1 of their last 20 international matches and backing Brazil & Under 3.5 Goals therefore looks really tempting here.

Going for Draw/Brazil – HT/FT also appeals. They’ve made a habit of wearing teams down and striking late. 6 of their 8 goals at the World Cup came in the 2nd Half and 2 of their 3 wins were in matches they were drawing at Half-Time. Their last two matches have seen them win 1-0 with 76th and 90th minute goals and they’ve scored 6 goals in the 88th minute or later within their last 8 matches alone.