Brazil and Switzerland currently top the Group, but with the Swiss needing only a point against the Costa Ricans, their qualification looks almost assured. Brazil are favourites to join them in the knock-out phases, but Serbia may yet have something to say about it.
In fact, at half-time in their Group game against Switzerland, Serbia looked to be in the driving seat in the group. Having beaten the Costa Ricans in their first game, and with a 1 – 0 lead, all was going well for them and they looked on course for automatic qualification. However, second half goals from Granit Xhaka and Xherdan Shaqiri turned matters on their head and now the Serbs must beat Brazil to stay in the tournament.
Before the World Cup started, that would have seemed a tall order. Brazil came into the tournament playing well and were many people’s tips to be the overall winners. Whilst that may still be the case, they have yet to really set the world alight.
A good spell in their first match against Switzerland saw them take the lead through Phillipe Coutinho, but then they lost their way, conceded an equaliser and never looked like winning. In their second match, they laboured against Costa Rica and only two injury time goals gave them a barely deserved win.
Neymar flatters to deceive, too often failing to harness his ability for the greater good of the team. The rest of the team have struggled as well, and their failure to create chances will be of worry to their supporters, especially against well-organised teams.
All this gives Serbia hope, especially if they can exploit the strength of their centre-forward Aleksandar Mitrovic in the air, who has scored 18 goals in club and country so far this year. If they can get enough ball and support to him and eliminate the errors that cost them against Switzerland, they could still spring a surprise and knock the five times winners out of the World Cup.
Brazil v Serbia Betting Tips:Both Teams to Score