England vs Brazil preview, H2H, team news, key players and predictions

A clash of two footballing giants is set to take centre stage this weekend as England gear up to face five-time World Champions, Brazil at Wembley.

Preparations for Euro 2024 in Germany are already underway as the Three Lions are set to face stern tests against high-profile opponents ahead of the European championships this summer.

Gareth Southgate’s side are entering this fixture as the more in-form team as they are yet to lose a game since being knocked out of the World Cup quarter-finals by France. The Three Lions have had a remarkable qualification campaign and would be disappointed for not finishing on a high after drawing their last game against North Macedonia.

England would aim to arrive in Germany in the best possible form and would look to extend their unbeaten run when they host Brazil and Belgium during this international break.

England’s opponents, Brazil, are also preparing for the Copa America which is just around the corner and this game comes as a perfect test ahead of the American championships.

The five-time World Cup winners are entering the fray off the back of three consecutive losses against Uruguay, Colombia and Argentina. More disappointing is that the Selecao have only scored one goal and conceded five in those run of fixtures.

Both teams are plagued with injuries but considering the quality replacements from both sides, it is clear that England have the better squad. Brazil’s squad highly consists of domestic league players who would be making their debuts.

The nine-time Copa America champions are set to begin what looks to be a new regime following the appointment of new coach, Dorival Junior as he looks to turn the tides of disappointing results to a positive run of matches in their next couple of games.

Southgate will be set to guide his young side to England’s second-ever victory against Brazil in 34 years since Frank Lampard scored the winner in this fixture in 2013.

More interesting in this fixture would be what looks to be a reunion with old teammates with Brazil possessing an array of Premier League stars.

The likes of Newcastle’s Bruno Guimaraes, Fulham’s Andreas Pereira, Aston Villa’s Douglas Luiz, Wolverhampton Wanderers’ Joao Gomes, and West Ham’s Lucas Paqueta are the Premier League stars who could be unleashed to tackle Southgate’s side. Brazil’s coach, Junior would trust in the England-based players to keep the high-flying Three Lions side at bay having been accustomed to the playing style and pattern of the English league.

England Vs Brazil match details

Date: Saturday, March 23, 2024

Location: London, England

Venue: Wembley Stadium

Kick-off Time: 7 pm GMT

Tickets: Fans can buy UEFA Euro 2024 tickets through UEFA and England’s official channels, or try a trusted online marketplace such as seatsnet.com.

Match stats and head-to-head

•England and Brazil have clashed 26 times across different completion and friendlies since 1956.

•Brazil are the dominant side in this fixture, winning 11 matches while England have only recorded four wins. Eleven draws have been recorded between these two sides.

•The last time the Three Lions and the Selecao squared off was in 2017 when both teams played out a 0:0 stalemate.

•The Selecao have not won a single game since October 2023

•Frank Lampard scored the winner when these two teams clashed in 2013 marking their first ever victory over Brazil in 34 years. Since then, England have gone on to lose four and draw six matches without recording a win against Brazil.

•The last time both teams clashed in a competitive fixture was in the 2002 World Cup quarter-final where Brazil emerged victorious with a 2:1 with Ronaldinho making headlines following his sublime free-kick.

•England have been on a remarkable streak of results, winning eight of their last ten games since losing to France in the quarter-finals of the World Cup in 2022. The only two matches the Three Lions have failed to win post-World Cup are the 1:1 draws against Ukraine and North Macedonia.

Players to look out for

Jude Bellingham – England

Bellingham is set to square up with three Real Madrid teammates including Endrick, Vinicius Junior and Rodrygo. The Los Blancos trio are set to keep friendship aside when squaring up against Bellingham at Wembley.

The former Birmingham academy graduate is the most inform player among the Madrid trio. Bellingham has been in sensational form so far this season having secured accolades such as the Golden Boy award, and Laliga Player of the Month for August and October 2023 while also clinching the 2023 Ballon d’Or Kopa Trophy, emerging as the first and only Englishman to achieve such feat.

The 20-year-old has been an integral player to Madrid this season, netting 20 goals and providing nine assists across all competitions for Madrid as they currently chase their record 36th La Liga title and 15th Champions League trophy.

While his two-goal tally in 27 appearances for the Three Lions may be deemed low considering his club form, Bellingham would hope to increase those numbers and what better way to do it than against a formidable opponent like Brazil.

Brazil – Vinicius Junior

Vinicius has been in high-flying form this season – more so in his last couple of matches. The Brazilian has recorded six goals in his last four matches, making him a huge threat in this fixture.

Overall this season, the 23-year-old has been one of the most important players in Carlo Ancelotti’s squad, netting 18 goals and providing eight assists across all competitions so far this season.

However, unlike his Madrid teammate Bellingham, Vinicius has a low tally for the national team, as he has only recorded two goals in 27 appearances for the Selecao.

He’ll be tipped to carry on the creative and goalscoring mantle from the injured Neymar Jr and could be set to reignite the Champions League tussle with Manchester City’s Kyle Walker if both players start on Saturday.

Team news

The Three Lions will be without the right-back duo of Trent Alexander-Arnold and Kieran Trippier while centre-back Marc Guehi did not receive a call-up having suffered an injury early this year.

Jack Grealish is another notable absentee who will not feature in this round of friendlies. The 28-year-old will hope to regain his fitness to be on the 23-man squad that will head to Germany for the Euros.

England suffered a setback when Captain and record goal-scorer, Harry Kane was declared unfit following an injury he suffered while playing for Bayern Munich in the Bundesliga.

Southgate will look to rely on the in-form Ollie Watkins while Ivan Toney could play a backup role.

U21 stars including Anthony Gordon, Jarrad Branthwaite and Kobbie Mainoo who received a late call-up would all hope to play a part in the game against Brazil to boost their chances of making England’s squad for the Euros.

On the other hand, Brazil are also plagued with a series of injuries with part of the squad made up of uncapped players.

Arsenal’s Gabriel Margalhães withdrew from the squad leaving Juventus duo of Gleison Bremer and Danilo as the only capped defenders in the squad.

Both Alisson Becker and Ederson are not in contention having suffered injuries with their respective club sides.

Casemiro is also absent from this fixture after suffering an injury last week while Neymar Jr remains a long-term absentee as he recovers from injury.

The Selecao would rely on the form of Vinicius and Rodrygo to keep their attack alive while Premier League stars including Lucas Paqueta Bruno Guimaraes and Richarlison could be given a starting berth.

Predicted starting lineup

England predicted starting lineup:

Pickford; Walker, Maguire, Stones, Gomez; Bellingham, Rice, Gallagher; Saka, Watkins, Rashford

Brazil predicted starting lineup:

Bento, Danilo, Bremer, Beraldo, Wendell; Guimaraes, Paqueta, Maia; Rodrygo, Richarlison, Vinicius Jr

Prediction

England are the better team heading into this contest with eight wins in their last ten matches. Brazil on the other hand are looking to bounce back from a streak of three consecutive defeats.

The test against England might not be the best match to rediscover their form as the Three Lions possess enough firepower to inflict defeat on the Selecao.

However, the Brazilians are renowned for making statement victories against the toughest of opponents and this might be one of them.

Judging from the current form and quality of players at its disposal, England should emerge victorious in this fixture.