Brazil vs South Korea prediction: WORLD: World Cup – Play Offs betting tips on match 2022-12-04 19:00.
For five-time World Cup winners Brazil, a first-ever competitive meeting with South Korea awaits in the Round of 16, as the much-fancied Brazilians look to bounce back from a 1-0 loss to Cameroon in a dramatic Group G finale. That defeat subsequently ended Brazil’s 17-match unbeaten run, though it wasn’t enough to prevent the pre-tournament favourites from winning their World Cup group for the 11th-straight campaign.
Seleção boss Tite will likely point to the nine changes to his starting lineup, the most between Brazilian World Cup games since 1966, as the main culprit for what was also their first loss in 17 group games at the World Cup. Their defeat meant no side has won all three of their World Cup group stage games for the first time since the 1994 edition, though that could perhaps be a good omen for Brazil as they went on to win the tournament that year!
A tie against FIFA’s #1 ranked side might be a tough assignment but will still be seen as a reward for South Korea, after a sensational 2-1 comeback win over Portugal saw them sneak through by way of goals scored. The sight of South Korean players huddled around the centre circle post-match, watching the dying seconds of the other Group H fixture on a mobile phone before wildly celebrating, will likely be a World Cup highlight for years to come.
As one of three Asian confederate last-16 qualifiers for the first time in World Cup history, the Taegeuk Warriors will likely relish the mammoth task ahead. Despite suffering a 5-1 friendly defeat to Brazil just six months ago, in which strong lineups were fielded by both sides, South Korea have proven their capabilities, and Tite’s Brazilan troops will have to be wary of a relentless South Korean side that has scored four of their last seven goals at this tournament on or after the 90th minute.
Players to watch: Brazil may have topped their group but they were the lowest scorers, meaning they’ll be asking for even more from Richarlison, who struck against South Korea in their last meeting and is Brazil’s top scorer at this World Cup with two strikes so far. Tottenham teammate and South Korean star player Song Heung Min will be aiming to outdo him however, with the forward playing a key role against Portugal by assisting in his side’s dramatic late winner.
Hot stat: South Korea scored a first-half goal for the first time in ten World Cup games in their victory last time out.
World Cup trivia: Dani Alves (39 years, 210 days) became the oldest player to appear in a World Cup game for Brazil in Friday’s game against Cameroon!