Predictions and Previews For Upcoming International Football Matches
The last international break of the season takes place between 18 and 26 March. England stars will be in action in friendlies against Brazil and Belgium. France, Germany and Spain also included in standout fixtures.
England vs Brazil Prediction and Preview
England host Brazil at Wembley on Saturday in the first of their two final warm-up matches before Gareth Southgate names his Euro 2024 squad. The Three Lions also host Belgium on Tuesday night as they look some momentum ahead of a tournament they are expected to do well in.
Southgate’s side have turned Wembley into something of a fortress, going unbeaten in 20 matches there, making it their longest undefeated streak at the national stadium since a 24-game run between 1984 and 1990. Excluding penalty shootouts, their most recent defeat at Wembley was in the UEFA Nations League in October 2020 against Denmark (1-0 loss).
Brazil travel to London with plenty of injury issues depleting their squad. Arsenal defender Gabriel Magalhães became the latest player to pull out, joining players such as Gabriel Martinelli, Joelinton, Éder Militão, Casemiro, Neymar, João Pedro, Ederson, Alisson and Marquinhos on the increasingly long injury list.
The Seleção have a good recent record against teams from the UEFA confederation. They’ve won 10 of their last 11 friendly matches against European nations (D1), scoring 25 goals and conceding only four times. The last European team to beat them in a friendly was Switzerland in August 2013.
Brazil head into this game on a three-match losing streak, however. They haven’t lost four in a row since July 2001, and with difficult friendlies against England and Spain to come, building decent form ahead of this summer’s Copa America could prove challenging for new coach Dorival Júnior.
Overall, the Three Lions have won just four of their 26 matches against Brazil (D11 L11). This 15%-win ratio is England’s worst against any nation they’ve faced at least three times, while they’ve only lost more games against Scotland (41), Wales (14) and Germany (13) than Brazil (11).
Brazil have won two of their 12 matches against England at Wembley Stadium (D7 L3), winning 1-0 in May 1981 and 3-1 in June 1995. This is their first game there against the Three Lions since that goalless draw in November 2017.
PREDICTION: ENGLAND TO WIN @1.92
France vs Germany Prediction and Preview
France welcome Germany in a blockbuster friendly this weekend.
Les Bleus are one of the favourites for Euro 2024 after reaching the World Cup final as Didier Deschamps looks to add the one major international trophy to have eluded him thus far to his list of honours.
Kylian Mbappe is primed to lead the French into another tournament ahead of his expected departure from the domestic game, with a move to Real Madrid widely expected.
Germany, meanwhile, are looking to avoid embarrassment. They are hosting this summer’s tournament of course and can ill-afford another group stage exit after the fiasco in Qatar.
The French will be without Antoine Griezmann for the first time in seven years after the Atletico Madrid star pulled out of the squad with an ankle sprain. Goalkeeper Mike Maignan is a doubt.
Manuel Neuer has pulled out of the Germany squad due to an abductor injury. Toni Kroos is set to make his return to the international stage after coming out of retirement.
Germany are still finding their fee under interim manager Julian Nagelsmann, so France will surely fancy their chances.
PREDICTION: FRANCE TO WIN @1.82
Spain vs Brazil Prediction and Preview
In another friendly match, Brazil will meet with Spain in Madrid, with both teams aiming to present the most optimal squads amid the looming international competitions.
After a decade of dominating the world football scene, the Spanish national team slowed down for a bit after several unconvincing tournaments.
However, Furia Roja is getting back its momentum and is again considered as the main contenders for the upcoming Euros. Same goes with Brazil, who are the main favourites for Copa America besides brilliant Argentina.
Spain, under Luis de la Fuente, is attempting to bring as many young stars as possible to the squad before Euro. With Pedri and Gavi proving to be an important asset to Furia Roja recently, de la Fuente makes a similar gamble, calling Lamine Yamal and Pau Cubarisi, who are shining bright at Barcelona this season
At the same time, the Spanish team lost one of the most talented players recently, with Brahim Diaz announcing that he will play for Morocco. Even with this setback, the Spanish squad is among the most interesting in the upcoming tournaments, blending world class players like Daniel Carvajal and Rodri with wonderkids like Yamal
Even though most of the teams do not take friendlies seriously, Spain has an impeccable record of 19 friendly matches without a loss. Before Brazil, Spaniards will be tested by Colombia, and the match at Santiago Bernabeu will be a perfect opportunity for the youngsters to come out and show what they are capable of.
After the match against England, Brazil will go to Spain and will prepare for the friendly with Spain in Madrid. This will give the opportunity to rest and not to overwhelm the players, who are already under an extremely hard schedule.
Given that most of the Brazilian players represent top European clubs, who usually participate in two or more competitions at once, it is quite expected to see rotation.
The most crucial part of the club season is coming, as well as Copa America looming on the horizon and Dorival Junior emphasised more than once that he wants to avoid injuries at any costs.
Despite the sometimes ineffective game, Spain seems more cohesive and balanced, with Brazil still heavily relies on individual skills and improvisation. With the lack of Casemiro, it will be hard to balance the transition from defence into attack, which is why, the Spaniards, using the versatile skills of Rodri, can easily get advantage in the most important part of the field. With the total control of the midfield, Spain rarely gives the initiative to the opponent.
PREDICTION: SPAIN DRAW NO BET @1.40
