World Cup: Brazil vs Portugal Preview

TALENT

Soccer fans will be disappointed that the Group G showdown between Brazil and Portugal doesn’t mean as much as it did a week ago. Brazil is guaranteed to go through to the next round and Portugal has a stranglehold on a spot as well. However, this game will decide who wins the group and the history between these two teams should result in an intriguing match as its former colony vs former empirical overlords.

This Selecao squad has been less physical than squads of the pass but are still loaded with all-star power as Luis Fabiano showed when he scored two goals in the 3-1 defeat of Ivory Coast. Elano added the other goal for Brazil and could be questionable with a calf injury. Brazil will though be without midfielder Kaka for the game as he received a red card against Ivory Coast and Julio Baptista may replace him.

Portugal’s Cristiano Ronaldo finally broke out of his 16-month long scoring drought for his country against North Korea and it’ll be interesting if the floodgates will now open. The Seleccao das Quinas  was without Brazilian-born Deco in the last game due to a hip injury, but he should be ready to go. Portuguese players Pepe and Liedson were also born in Brazil.

Both teams will be going for first place, but Brazil only needs a draw, so they might conserve a bit of energy for the next round. Brazil also seems to have Portugal’s number when it comes to soccer as the two countries have met 18 times before with Brazil winning 12, losing four and drawing two, while outscoring Portugal 36 to 15.

PICK: Draw