Colombia vs Brazil prediction: SOUTH AMERICA: World Championship – Qualification betting tips on match 2023-11-16 00:00.
Colombia’s unbeaten start to their World Cup qualification (WCQ) campaign (W1, D3) forms part of a longer undefeated sequence that stretches back to March 2022 (W10, D5), with manager Néstor Lorenzo yet to lose since his appointment last July (W7, D5). Their next opponent will be Brazil, who could be a much tougher nut for them to crack as they’re without a H2H win since 2015 (D3, L4)!
But Los Cafeteros drew the last three meetings in Colombia, so extending their good start to this WCQ cycle is certainly possible, especially as Colombia lost only one of their last nine home WCQ fixtures (W3, D5). While Santiago Arias and Mateo Cassierra miss out through injury, Luis DĂaz is in the squad, with the Liverpool forward returning home for the first time since his father was released by his kidnappers.
Not since 2004 have Brazil gone winless across three consecutive games in the same WCQ cycle, so the pressure is on them after they followed up two wins with disappointing results against Venezuela (D 1-1) and Uruguay (L 2-0). Responding to the loss of Neymar, who interim manager Fernando Diniz described as a “genius”, the head coach called up four uncapped forwards: Palmeiras’ Endrick, Brighton’s João Pedro, Atlético Minéiro’s Paulinho and Porto’s Pepê.
Having recently led Fluminense to Copa Libertadores glory for the first time, Diniz at least should be in a confident mood, as should two of his club players, André and Nino, who are included in the squad. They’ll be aiming to help the Seleção rediscover the sort of imposing form that saw them complete 18 WCQ away fixtures without defeat (W11, D7) prior to that loss in Uruguay.
Players to watch: Rafael Borré netted after half-time in each of Werder Bremen’s last two games after scoring the winner just after the break for Colombia over Venezuela (W 1-0) in September. Endrick’s call-up comes with him enjoying a purple patch, scoring four goals in his last four Palmeiras appearances, three of which in the second half.
Hot streak: Colombia haven’t conceded a first-half goal across their last six internationals (HT: W1, D5).