MY ACCOUNT
– Richarlison is Brazil’s leading scorer in Qatar with two goals
– South Korea have kept just one clean sheet from nine meetings against Brazil
– Recommended bet: Richarlison to score and Brazil to win
Brazil continue their quest for a record-extending sixth World Cup when they take on South Korea at Stadium 974, which will be dismantled after the game and possibly shipped to countries that need the infrastructure.
A Selecao lost their last Group G game against Cameroon 1-0, but still progressed as winners of the pool, while the Taeguk Warriors scored a 91st-minute winner to overcome Portugal and snatch second place from Uruguay in Group H on goal difference.
Team news
Brazil boss Tite has confirmed Neymar, who has missed the last two games with an ankle injury, is available for selection, although a decision on whether he will start has not been made.
Right-back Danilo has also been unavailable since the 2-0 win over Serbia due to his own ankle issue, but the news is also positive on his recovery and a return to the starting XI is expected.
Vinicius Junior, Richarlison, Thiago Silva, Lucas Paqueta and Casemiro were all rested for the defeat to Cameroon, and the quintet should be recalled for the last-16 encounter.
The news is not so good for Alex Telles and Gabriel Jesus, with the duo ruled out for the rest of the tournament after sustaining knee injuries in the loss to the Indomitable Lions.
As for South Korea, Hee Chan Hwang could be handed a start after scoring the winner against Portugal, putting Lee Jae-Sung’s place in the XI at risk.
Kim Min-Jae missed the win last time out because of a calf issue but his recovery is said to be going well and he will be pushing to return, while Lee Kang-In and Kim Young-Gwon will be assessed after picking up knocks.
The stats
Brazil have won their previous seven World Cup last-16 games, having last failed to make it past this stage of the tournament in 1990 when losing 1-0 to Argentina.
Of those seven last-16 encounters, A Selecao have kept clean sheets in five and have only conceded twice in total — in the 4-1 victory in 1998 and the 1-1 draw (progress on penalties) in 2014, both against Chile.
South Korea have only reached the World Cup quarter-finals once in their 10 appearances at the major event, this coming in 2002 when they went on to finish fourth as co-hosts.
The Tigers of Asia have lost seven, drawn one and won one of their nine meetings with Brazil, having first played back in 1977, and they have conceded 19 goals and scored just seven times in total.
Prediction
Brazil have yet to really let the handbrake off in Qatar yet they picked up two solid victories over Serbia and Switzerland, securing their place in the last 16 with a match to spare.
A much-changed side were made to pay for missed chances in the loss to Cameroon, but the big hitters will be back for the South Korea clash and this extra quality in the final third should see them through.
One player expected to return to the starting XI is Richarlison, who will be eager to add to his tally of two World Cup goals and keep his challenge for the Golden Boot going.
The 25-year-old has scored nine goals in his last eight games for his country and there is every chance he can find the back of the net again, especially with service coming from the likes of Vinicius and Neymar to name a few.
Richarlison is available at evens with LiveScore Bet to score at anytime on Monday, although backing the Spurs man to notch in a Brazil win adds a little more juice at 5/4.
Qatar 2022 Squads: They Score, You Score!
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