Brazil vs Norway Predictions

• Over 2.5 goals has landed in seven of these sides’ eight combined games.
• Vinicius Junior has scored four goals in this tournament.

Selecao target an end to World Cup drought

Norway won a World Cup knockout stage game for the first time in their history against Ivory Coast on Tuesday, but they face a step up in quality when they meet the most successful side in World Cup history at the MetLife Stadium.

The Selecao have won the competition on five occasions but, with their most recent success coming over 20 years ago, Carlo Ancelotti is looking to end an uncharacteristic dry spell for the South American giants.

After a rocky start against Morocco, Brazil have certainly come to life over the past couple of weeks. They thrashed Haiti and Scotland to top Group C before coming from behind to beat Japan in the last 32.

That triumph did require a 95th-minute winner, but Brazil were good value for the win after outshooting their opponents 19-5 and having almost 70% possession.

Vinicius can win battle of the strikers in New Jersey

Buoyed by Erling Haaland’s heroics, Norway have scored ten goals in their four games so far, with a heavy defeat to France partially explained by Stale Solbakken’s heavy rotation of the squad.

The Vikings’ games have averaged 4.5 goals per game and three of Brazil’s four outings have produced at least three goals. With the likes of Vinicius Junior and Haaland on display, expect plenty of goals in East Rutherford.

Brazil’s quality across the pitch should win out in the end, though, and a repeat of their 2-1 success against Japan and Norway’s 2-1 loss to the Netherlands in March could be the final scoreline.

Vinicius Junior offers excellent value in the anytime goalscorer market. The Real Madrid forward has scored four goals in four games so far and has netted in eight of his last 12 games for club and country.