South American giants Brazil will be looking to maintain their 100% record in World Cup qualifiers when they travel to Chile on Friday morning CEST in Chile vs Brazil.
The visitors have won each of their last 12 international matches on the road, while the hosts have lost just one of their last eight at home.
Chile vs Brazil Preview
Brazil returned to international action this week for the first time since they lost in the Copa America final to Argentina in July.
Tite's team claimed five wins and a draw heading into the copa final, where a first-half strike from Angel Di Maria cost Verde-Amarela their first international defeat since November 2019, when they were also beaten by Argentina.
Brazil are now turning their attention back to World Cup qualifiers, where they remain the only South American team to have a perfect record from the first six games, scoring 16 goals and conceding just two in the process.
Before they aim for revenge against Argentina on Sunday, they face a Chile side they have beaten in three of their last four meetings, without conceding a single goal.
Brazil are currently unbeaten in each of their last 23 World Cup qualifiers, although their last defeat was against Chile, losing 2-0 in 2015.
Tite is aware of the threat the visitors may pose, but will be confident his side can secure the three points on Friday.
As for Chile, their 2021 Copa America campaign was ended by Brazil in the quarter-finals, when the 2015 and 2016 champions were narrowly beaten 1-0, although their opponents were reduced to 10 men three minutes after the break.
La Roja are currently in the midst of a worrying run that saw them win just one of their last seven internationals and just one in six World Cup qualifiers.
As well as beating Peru 2-0 at home, Chile suffered 2-1 away defeats to Uruguay and Venezuela, as well as claiming three draws against Colombia, Argentina and Bolivia.
Martin Lasarte's men sit seventh in the current standings with six points, two behind fourth-placed Uruguay, who occupy the last qualifying spot.
Success on Friday is unlikely, although they will need to turn their fortunes around quickly to ensure they don't fall further behind the leading group.
Chile World Cup Qualifiers – South America Formation:
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Brazil World Cup Qualifiers – South American form:
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Brazil form (all competitions):
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Team News Chile vs Brazil
Several top-flight Brazilian players from the Premier League have not been selected in Tite's 25-man squad, as all 20 clubs refuse to release their players for international matches in red-listed countries during the ongoing coronavirus pandemic.
Goalkeepers Alisson Becker and Ederson, defenders Thiago Silva, midfielders Fred, Fabinho and Douglas Luiz as well as forwards Roberto Firmino, Gabriel Jesus and Richarlison were part of the squad that reached the Copa America final, but neither of these players will be involved in the game this month. this.
There are still plenty of experienced players among the squad, including star forward Neymar, veteran right-back Dani Alves and 35-year-old forward Hulk, who has received his first international call-up since 2016.
He could start as a central striker, although Flamengo's Gabriel Barbosa will be given the nod after scoring 22 goals in 24 appearances in all competitions so far this season.
As for Chile, they will be without Blackburn Rovers striker Ben Brereton Diaz and Watford defender Francisco Sierralta as they will remain with their respective English clubs.
With Inter Milan's Alexis Sanchez still out with a calf injury, the hosts will have to rely on Eduardo Vargas to lead the line.
The former Queens Park Rangers forward will join Jean Meneses, although South Carolina-born Robbie Robinson could make his debut after impressing for MLS side Inter Miami.
Lasarte is expected to field an experienced back line, including 33-year-old Gary Medel and Eugenio Mena and 34-year-old Mauricio Isla, who will protect 38-year-old goalkeeper and captain Claudio Bravo.
Chile 0-1 Brazil Prediction
With Brazil missing several Premier League players, this could provide some confidence for Chile, who will be looking to gain an advantage against a slightly weaker Verde-Amarela side.
The visitors, however, still have plenty of star names across their squad and we feel that the team name Tite will have the cauldron