England play host to a blockbuster duel on Saturday evening as they take Brazil at Wembley.
Clashes between the two major footballing nations are infrequent, with the last meeting arriving in November 2017 which ended in a stalemate. Their last clash in a competitive fixture arrived over 20 years ago at the 2002 World Cup when Ronaldinho infamously lobbed David Seaman from a free-kick which sent Brazil into the semi-finals.
The March break represents one of the final opportunities for the respective managers to shape and hone their squads ahead of the summer. England are among the favourites to win their first European Championship crown in Germany after being beaten in the final three years ago, while Brazil are aiming to regain their Copa America title in the US.
The relatively unknown Dorival Junior is taking charge of his first game as Selecao boss this weekend, with Brazil going in search of their first victory over the Three Lions on English shores since 1995.
Here’s 90min’s preview of Saturday’s friendly.
England vs Brazil H2H Record (Last Five Games)
Current Form (all competitions)
England
Brazil
North Macedonia 1-1 England – 20/11/23
Brazil 0-1 Argentina – 21/11/23
England 2-0 Malta – 17/11/23
Colombia 2-1 Brazil – 16/11/23
England 3-1 Italy – 17/10/23
Uruguay 2-0 Brazil – 17/10/23
England 1-0 Australia – 13/10/23
Brazil 1-1 Venezuela – 12/10/23
Scotland 1-3 England – 12/09/23
Peru 0-1 Brazil – 12/09/23
Country
TV channel/live stream
United Kingdom
Channel 4
United States
Foxsports.com, FOX Sports App, FOX Network
Canada
DAZN
Brazil
Globo, Canals Globo, DirecTV GO, NOW NET and Claro, SporTV
England are without a host of players expected to be in contention for Gareth Southgate’s Euro 2024 squad, including Bukayo Saka, who withdrew on Thursday after arriving with an existing injury.
Right-backs Trent Alexander-Arnold, Kieran Trippier, and Reece James are all out injured, as are Luke Shaw, Callum Wilson, and Marc Guehi.
Harry Kane has travelled to St. George’s Park, but he picked up an ankle injury in Bayern Munich’s final game before the break and will miss out alongside Cole Palmer and Jordan Henderson, both of whom have been ruled out by Southgate.
Kobbie Mainoo, Anthony Gordon, and Jarrad Branthwaite could earn their first caps on Saturday.
England predicted lineup vs Brazil (4-2-3-1): Pickford; Walker, Stones, Maguire, Chilwell; Rice, Gallagher; Foden, Bellingham, Rashford; Watkins.
Brazil will be without a few faces familiar to the Premier League. Arsenal’s Gabriel Martinelli and Gabriel both miss out due to foot injuries, Manchester United’s Casemiro was also forced to withdraw from the squad.
Ederson’s groin injury meant he wasn’t called up by Dorival, with Marquinhos and Alisson also absent from Brazil’s fixtures this month.
Vinicius Junior is Brazil’s leading man in Neymar’s absence, and he could start in attack alongside Tottenham’s Richarlison and club teammate Rodrygo.
Brazil predicted lineup vs England (4-3-3): Benot; Couto, Danilo, Bremer, Beraldo; Andre, Guimaraes, Paqueta; Raphinha, Richarlison, Vinicius.
England have lost just three games at Wembley under Southgate and haven’t lost a friendly on home soil since 2016.
Brazil are, of course, formidable, but without several core players this weekend. Dorival is also new on the job and he’ll be using these two March fixtures as a chance to get to know his squad ahead of the summer.
The Three Lions also have notable absences and they could be without talisman Kane, but defeats under the arch are rare. The visitors are blessed with one of the world’s best in Vinicius Jr, but Southgate’s men will find a way against a makeshift backline.
