SM
Oman vs. Saudi Arabia: 16 hrs 54 mins
Upcoming predictions and previews
BN
International Friendlies
Nov 15, 2019 at 5pm UK
 
AN

0-1

 
FT(HT: 0-1)
Messi (13')

Preview: Brazil vs. Argentina - prediction, team news, lineups

:Headline: Preview: Brazil vs. Argentina - prediction, team news, lineups: ID:378807: from db_amp
Sports Mole previews Friday's glamour international friendly between Brazil and Argentina, including predictions, team news and possible starting lineups.

One of international football's most enduring rivalries will enter its latest chapter on Friday when old enemies Brazil and Argentina renew hostilities.

A friendly in name only, the 111th meeting between the two heavyweights will take place in the unfamiliar surroundings of the King Saud University Stadium in Saudi Arabia.


Match preview

A fixture like this needs no extra hype, but the return of Argentina talisman and all-time record goalscorer Lionel Messi following a three-month ban only adds to the allure of such a glamour showdown.

The Barcelona captain has missed La Albiceleste's last four games as a result of the suspension, which he received after accusing CONMEBOL of corruption during this summer's Copa America - a tournament Brazil went on to win after beating Argentina in the semi-finals.

Messi's comments came in the wake of a frankly farcical red card in the third-place playoff of that tournament, but Argentina went on to beat Chile 2-1 in that match and have continued to flourish in the absence of their main man.

Indeed, Lionel Scaloni's side go into Friday's showdown on a five-match unbeaten streak - their longest for two years - and having hammered Ecuador 6-1 in their most recent outing last month.

It has been an impressive response to what was a largely underwhelming Copa America tournament, despite finishing in third place, whereas Brazil have seemingly suffered the opposite fortunes and are without a win since lifting the continental crown in July.

Tite's side have drawn three and lost one of their four outings since beating Peru in the final, with their most recent two seeing them held to a 1-1 stalemate by both Senegal and Nigeria last month.

The Selecao have not been on a longer winless streak since a run of five draws on the bounce between November 2003 and May 2004, although on that occasion it was a 3-1 triumph over Argentina which got them back to winning ways.

It has made for a rather disappointing end to a year which was otherwise hugely successful as Brazil picked up their first major international trophy since 2007, although the subsequent friendly results will pale into insignificance next to that achievement throughout the years.

The scale of their struggles should also be kept in context; Brazil have still won 14 and lost just one of their 20 matches since the World Cup and, according to the FIFA rankings, remain the third best national team in the world.

Nonetheless, few teams are as demanding of themselves as the five-time world champions, and a victory over their greatest rivals would be the perfect way to get back on the winning trail.

Brazil form: WWDLDD

Argentina form: LWDWDW


Team News

Whereas Argentina have their talisman back in Messi, Brazil are missing theirs. Neymar is still sidelined after suffering a hamstring injury in the last international break, leaving him stranded still one goal behind Ronaldo in the all-time Brazil list for now.

Manchester City goalkeeper Ederson and Ajax forward David Neres have also been forced to pull out of the squad through injury, while there is no place for Dani Alves, Marcelo, Fernandinho, Vinicius Junior, Everton Soares or Douglas Costa.

Real Madrid starlet Rodrygo has been included following his Champions League hat-trick earlier this month, and he is one of six uncapped players in the squad, including Aston Villa duo Douglas Luiz and Wesley.

Other Premier League players called up by Tite include Alisson Becker, Willian, Fabinho, Roberto Firmino, Gabriel Jesus and Richarlison.

In addition to welcoming Messi back into the fold, Scaloni has also handed an international recall to Manchester City striker Sergio Aguero, who has not featured for his country since the Copa America.

The 31-year-old will have his work cut out dislodging the in-form Lautaro Martinez, though, with the Inter Milan forward having scored nine goals in 15 games for his country and eight in 16 at club level this season.

Paulo Dybala is another option in a star-studded attacking lineup, while Giovani Lo Celso, Nicolas Otamendi and Marcos Rojo are among the Premier League players at Scaloni's disposal.

There is surprisingly no place for Angel di Maria despite his sparkling form for Paris Saint-Germain, while teammate Mauro Icardi is also once again excluded.

Brazil possible starting lineup:
Alisson; Danilo, Silva, Marquinhos, Sandro; Arthur, Casemiro, Coutinho; Jesus, Firmino, Richarlison

Argentina possible starting lineup:
Marchesin; Foyth, Pezzella, Otamendi, Acuna; De Paul, Paredes, Lo Celso; Messi, Aguero, Martinez


We say: Brazil 1-1 Argentina

Brazil still have a more balanced and complete team than their South American rivals, but they have been disappointing since the Copa America whereas Argentina appear to be on an upward trajectory. Whether the return of a couple of the 'old guard' hampers that at all remains to be seen, but having the likes of Messi and Aguero to call upon can surely only benefit a team. We are going for a score draw in Saudi Arabia.



amp_article__378807 : Database Data restored...  : 
last updated article - 2019-11-15 06:02:05:
html db last update - 2019-11-15 06:02:05 :

ex - 7200 : read : read cache amp html
Read more!
Share this article now:
Recommended Next on SM
Premier League Table
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Liverpool18143145172845
2Nottingham ForestNott'm Forest1911442619737
3Arsenal18106235161936
4Chelsea18105338211735
5Manchester CityMan City199463226631
6Bournemouth198652923630
7Newcastle UnitedNewcastle188553021929
8Fulham197842825329
9Aston Villa188462629-328
10Brighton & Hove AlbionBrighton186842726126
11Tottenham HotspurSpurs1973941281324
12Brentford187383232024
13West Ham UnitedWest Ham196582335-1223
14Manchester UnitedMan Utd186482124-322
15Crystal Palace194872027-720
16Everton183871524-917
17Wolverhampton WanderersWolves1944113142-1116
18Leicester CityLeicester1935112242-2014
19Ipswich TownIpswich1826101633-1712
20Southampton1913151239-276
Scroll for more - Tap for full version


Sports Mole provides in-depth previews and predictions for every match from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football.
AL
Sign up for our FREE daily preview newsletter direct to your inbox!

Loading ...

Failed to load data.



. . . . . . . . . . . . . . .