Preview: England vs. Brazil – prediction, team news, lineups

For the first time in 2024, the bright lights of Wembley will shine England On Saturday evening, when the Three Lions face… Brazil In a delicious friendly battle.

like Gareth SouthgateFrance's men are intensifying their preparations for Euro 2024, and their visitors from South America are determined to pick up a series of disappointing results in… Dorival JrFirst game as head coach.

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Three years on from the heartache at Wembley in the Euro 2020 final, this year's continental tournament could represent the last chance for Southgate to finally deliver another slice of international glory to Three Lions fans, who have little time to make excuses from a coach with incredible performances. . The array of talents available to him.

After a 2022 that was best consigned to the back pages of the FA history books, in which England suffered World Cup quarter-final disappointment and lost their place in the top tier of the Nations League, Southgate's men have dropped just four points on their way to top spot. They finished second in the Euro 2024 qualifiers.

Two wins over struggling Italy came in the Euro 2020 finals, while draws with Ukraine and North Macedonia – the latter being England's latest result – were the only blots on England's notebook before Southgate's men drew with Denmark, Slovenia and Serbia. Relatively nice set.

Before Southgate's troops dream of European supremacy, or begin their bid to climb back into the Nations League One round against Greece, Finland and the Republic of Ireland in the second tier, the Three Lions have four friendlies on the 2024 calendar, the second of which in 2024. Which sees Belgium make the trip. To Wembley three days after Brazil stopped.

Iceland and Bosnia and Herzegovina will represent England's final tests ahead of Euro 2024 in June before the world's third-ranked nation boards the plane to Germany. Southgate's men host Brazil on a 10-game unbeaten run since their 2022 World Cup campaign ended at the 2022 World Cup. Hands on France, or president Olivier Giroud To be more accurate.

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While England managed to pass the 2023 finals without suffering a single defeat, Brazil is next.Titi A largely disastrous era began, with the five-time world champions arriving at Wembley on the back of three straight defeats in qualifying for the 2026 World Cup.

The Seleção has been slowly declining in the 10-team CONMEBOL division since picking up seven points from nine against Bolivia, Peru and Venezuela, and the Seleção fell short against Uruguay, Colombia and Argentina in its previous three matches during the season. Fernando Diniztheir worst streak in an astonishing 22 years.

Despite their uncharacteristic red streak, Brazil are still on course to qualify for the 2026 World Cup – where they sit sixth and last in the CONMEBOL table – but world champions Argentina are eight goals ahead. One point ahead of the Seleção.

The two exhibition matches with England and Spain represent a key opportunity for Dorival Junior's men to return to form, or alternatively dampen national morale ahead of the 2024 Copa America, with Colombia, Paraguay, Costa Rica and Honduras waiting in the group stage.

Some solace can be taken from Brazil's head-to-head record against England, to whom they have lost only four times out of 26 official, non-competitive matches, but the last friendly match between the two sides in November 2017 ended in a goalless draw. Negative balance.

England friendly match:

England lineup (all competitions):

Brazil friendly lineup:

Brazil format (all competitions):

Team news

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Among the four uncapped players in the England squad is the Manchester United midfielder Kobe Mainowho was initially called up to the Under-21s this month but was quickly promoted to the first-team ranks by Southgate, meaning he could make his first-team debut before making his first-team debut. Lee CarsleyYoung Lions.

Jarrad Branthwaite, Anthony Gordon a duck Ezri Konsa We also have aspirations of pulling on an England shirt for the first time at senior level, however Kieran Trippier, Trent Alexander Arnold, Reece James, Jack Grealish, Luke Shaw, Calvin Phillips a duck Ben White – Those who did not want to be chosen – are all missing.

After suffering an injury while playing for Bayern Munich. Harry Kane He was one of four players who missed the team's training on Wednesday – a list that also includes Bukayo Saka, Cole Palmer a duck Jordan Henderson – None of them will participate here; Saka left the camp entirely.

As for Brazil, the team's coach, Dorival Junior, has already taken a fitness hit five times this month Gabriel Martinelli, Gabriel Magalhaes, Ederson, Marquinhos a duck Casemiro He withdrew from the team due to injury.

with Alisson Becker Also out of contention with a hip problem, Junior is working with three goalkeepers who have never played for the team Leo Jardim, Pinto a duck RaphaelOne of them will therefore make his debut for the Brazilian national team at Wembley this weekend.

The shot-stopping trio are three of 11 players seeking to make their international debuts for the five-time World Cup winners this month, a list that also includes Wolverhampton Wanderers. Joao Gomez And Girona is a suite SavioSoon he will be wearing the Manchester City kit.

Possible England lineup:
Pickford. Walker, Stones, Maguire, Gomez; Foden, Rice, Billingham; Bowen, Watkins, Rashford

Possible lineup for Brazil:
bento; Danilo, Bremer, Beraldo, Wendell; Guimarães, Louise; Rafinha, Rodrigo, Vinicius Junior; Richarlison

We say: England 3-1 Brazil

With a plethora of uncapped players and Dorival Junior in charge for the first time, Brazil will arrive at Wembley with a relatively unknown number, but an underwhelming squad faces an uphill battle to keep up. Results of their predecessors against the Three Lions.

England are not without their fitness doubts either, but the Three Lions have never lost a home friendly under Southgate, and must manage a new-look Brazil's inexperienced backline to get off to a winning start in 2024.

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