Brazil vs South Korea: Betting tips, predictions, odds & match preview
World Cup favourites Brazil will return to a more familiar XI when they clash with late qualifiers South Korea in the last 16 on Monday night (7pm kick-off, UK time).
Brazil vs South Korea: Betting tips
Odds correct at the time of writing. 18+ Only. Terms and Conditions Apply.
Brazil vs South Korea: Predictions
Brazil vs South Korea: Predictions |
||
| Bet | Prediction | Best odds |
| BTTS? | No | 14/25 with Midnite |
| Correct score | 2-0 | 9/2 with Midnite |
| First Goalscorer | Richarlison | 17/5 with Midnite |
Tite was afforded the luxury of rotation in Brazil’s final group game against Cameroon having essentially guaranteed top spot heading into the contest, and he duly rang the changes. The Selecao ultimately came unstuck against the African nation, but for their match-up against South Korea, the likes of Alisson, Thiago Silva, Casemiro and Vinicius Junior are expected to be restored back to the starting XI.
In truth, the groups always feel like a formality for the competition’s most trophy-strewn nation, and now they will really switch into focus as we reach the championship rounds. Team doctor Rodrigo Lasmar has already confirmed there is a “possibility” that Neymar returns from injury, a notion recently backed up by Tite, who has intimated that his talisman could be in line to start.
For South Korea, they actually enter this contest in a better mood than Brazil having won their last group game. With defensive fulcrum Kim Min-jae injured and head coach Paulo Bento banished to the stands after getting sent off the game prior, it looked a near-impossible challenge to beat Portugal.
However, Son Heung-min and Hwang Hee-chan combined at the death to seal a famous victory and send the nation through. Uruguay had already taken off all their best attackers in the adjacent fixture, so were unable to find a third goal against Ghana that would have confirmed their place.
It was drama-fuelled football at its best.
Brazil vs South Korea match stats
Brazil, of course, have an embarrassment of attacking riches, but defensively they have been one of the most sound in Qatar. Prior to Ederson coming in against Cameroon and Tite shuffling his pack, Brazil hadn’t faced a shot on target. In fact, Cameroon only caused Ederson to react on three occasions, meaning Brazil have faced the fewest shots on target of any nation in the competition. With Alisson, Silva and Marquinhos set to return, South Korea could struggle going forward.
But, of course, they have Cho Gue-sung, who netted twice against Ghana on matchday two. The 24-year-old became an instant hit in South Korea with that brace and is now something of a national idol — and with good reason. His two Big Chances scored was the joint-most in the groups while he has nearly doubled his expected goals (xG) of 1.07. If South Korea can find openings in the final third, they have a player who certainly knows where the back of the net is.
Brazil vs South Korea result odds
Brazil vs South Korea: Squawka Says
Scoreline prediction: Brazil 2-0 South Korea
Brazil vs South Korea head-to-head
02 Jun 2022 – South Korea 1-5 Brazil – International Friendly
19 Nov 2019 – Brazil 3-0 South Korea – International Friendly
12 Oct 2013 – South Korea 0-2 Brazil – International Friendly
20 Nov 2002 – South Korea 2-3 Brazil – International Friendly
28 Mar 1999 – South Korea 1-0 Brazil – International Friendly
These two nations have squared off on seven occasions before and it’s been near one-way traffic, with Brazil winning six of the showdowns. Most recently, Tite’s men smashed South Korea 5-1 in a June friendly. Ui-jo Hwang actually equalised after Richarlison broke the deadlock early on, but a Neymar brace and goals from Philippe Coutinho and Gabriel Jesus ensured a comprehensive win for the five-time World Cup winners.
