Brazil take on Belgium in the pick of the quarter-finals in Kazan. Brazil boast the best defence so far, but Belgium's attack with Romelu Lukaku, Eden Hazard, Dries Mertens and Kevin de Bruyne will test them to the full.
THE World Cup’s meanest defence meets the tournament’s top scorers in an all-star quarter-final.
Brazil, who have conceded just once, are eyeing up their sixth World Cup trophy.
But Roberto Martinez’s free-scoring Red Devils will be confident of springing a shock after their incredible comeback win over Japan.
Eden Hazard and the Belgians became the first side in 48 years to win a World Cup knockout game from 2-0 down when they dramatically beat Japan 3-2 in the last 16 game.
Both these sides had three players each on the 2017 Ballon d'Or shortlist; Neymar, Marcelo and Philippe Coutinho for Brazil, with Kevin de Bruyne, Eden Hazard and Dries Mertens representing Belgium.
Brazil midfielder Casemiro is suspended and will be replaced by Fernandinho, head coach Tite has confirmed.
Left-back Marcelo, who was not fully fit for their last game, has recovered from a back problem and will reclaim a starting spot from Filipe Luis.
Winger Douglas Costa is also available, having overcome a muscle injury.
Belgium are hopeful that winger Adnan Januzaj will be fit, having been unavailable for their last match because of an unspecified injury.
Prediction: Brazil 2 Belgium 1
BRAZIL fans are demanding victory and still want repaying from the last World Cup, when their team lost 7-1 in the semi-final to Germany in their own Belo Horizonte backyard.
Back in Belgium, supporters know this is the best side they have ever had and it is now or never for the Golden Generation.
VINCENT KOMPANY returned to Belgium’s starting XI against Japan and will be marking his Manchester City team-mate Gabriel Jesus.
Jesus has had a quiet tournament so far and will want to make his mark, especially with Roberto Firmino waiting in the wings.
Brazil’s hopes, though, will still be pinned on man-of-the-moment Neymar, while the Red Devils will need captain Eden Hazard to be at his best.
ROMELU LUKAKU reckons Brazil’s right-back Fagner is there for the taking.
In the pre-match press conference he pointed out that “three of their back four are really experienced defenders”, the other being the Corinthians defender.
Belgium are likely to replace Yannick Carrasco with Nacer Chadli at left wing-back but Martinez’s side still look defensively vulnerable.
FERNANDINHO will replace the suspended Casemiro for Brazil, while fit-again Marcelo is expected to come back in for Filipe Luis.
Jesus should keep his place ahead of Firmino.
Brazil (4-3-3): Alisson; Fagner, T. Silva, Miranda, Marcelo; Paulinho, Fernandinho, Coutinho; Willian, Jesus, Neymar.
BELGIUM have a full squad to pick from but Chadli is likely to come in for Carrasco and Marouane Fellaini is set to replace Dries Mertens in attack.
Belgium (3-4-2-1): Courtois; Alderweireld, Kompany, Vertonghen; Meunier, De Bruyne, Witsel, Chadli; Fellaini, Lukaku, E Hazard.
Neymar to score – on Betway
After starting the tournament slowly, Neymar has played himself into some form.
The PSG forward has scored two goals in Brazil’s last three matches, including the opener in their last-16 victory over Mexico.
Against a Belgium side that has conceded four goals against Tunisia and Japan, he should find a way through.
Romelu Lukaku to score – on Betway
Lukaku is second in the Golden Boot standings with four goals, but was guilty of spurning some great opportunities in Belgium’s last-16 win over Japan.
The 25-year-old should be presented with more against a Brazil defence that, despite keeping three consecutive clean sheets, has occasionally looked vulnerable.
He won’t be as profligate this time.
This will be the fifth meeting between these sides. Belgium won the first back in a 1963 friendly, while Brazil have won the following three meetings.
The only previous occasion these sides met in a World Cup was in the round of 16 in 2002, with Brazil winning 2-0 en route to winning the entire competition.
Belgium have lost three of their last four World Cup meetings against South American opposition.
Brazil are playing the quarter-final for the seventh successive World Cup tournament. They’ve only gone out twice at this stage in that run (vs France in 2006 and vs the Netherlands in 2010).
Brazil have been knocked out of the World Cup by a European side in each of the last three tournaments (vs France in 2006, Netherlands in 2010 and Germany in 2014).
Belgium have reached consecutive World Cup quarter-finals for the first time – they lost at this stage to Argentina in 2014.
Belgium have scored 12 goals so far in the 2018 World Cup – at no single tournament in the competition have they scored more (also 12 in 1986).
Brazil are unbeaten in their last 15 matches in all competitions (W11 D4), conceding just three goals in that run.
Belgium are unbeaten in their last 23 matches (W18 D5), the longest current run of any team left in the 2018 World Cup.
Eden Hazard has been directly involved in 19 goals in his 18 games for Belgium under Roberto Martinez, scoring 10 and assisting nine.
Belgium’s Romelu Lukaku has scored with four of his five shots on target so far at the 2018 World Cup.
Brazil forward Neymar has been involved in 20 goals in his last 19 matches for Brazil, scoring 11 and assisting nine.
Brazil
Brazil have reached the quarter-finals for the seventh consecutive World Cup. They have only lost twice at this stage during this sequence - against France in 2006 and the Netherlands in 2010.
The Selecao's last six World Cup defeats have all come against sides from Europe.
Their last win against European opposition in the knockout stage was the 2002 final versus Germany.
They are unbeaten in their last 15 games in all comps (W11, D4), conceding just three goals.
The Brazilians have won 20 of 25 games (D4, L1) under head coach Tite, keeping 19 clean sheets.
They have recorded shut-outs in eight of their last nine games (W7, D2).
Neymar has been involved in 20 goals in his last 19 matches for Brazil, scoring 11 and assisting nine.
Belgium
Belgium's last two World Cup campaigns ended with elimination against South American opposition (versus Brazil in 2002 and Argentina in 2014).
Victory would see them reach the semi-finals for the first time since 1986, and only the second time overall.
They have already scored 12 goals - their joint most at a World Cup, along with 1986.
Roberto Martinez's side are unbeaten in their last 23 matches (W18, D5), the longest current run of any team left in the tournament.
Belgium have failed to score a first-half goal in nine of their last 10 World Cup games.
Victory would see Belgium win five successive World Cup matches for the first time. They have won eight of their last nine matches at the tournament.
Belgium hold the record for most World Cup knockout games played (12) without keeping a clean sheet. They have conceded 28 goals in those 12 matches.
Eden Hazard has been directly involved in 19 goals in his 18 games for Belgium under Roberto Martinez, scoring 10 and assisting nine.
Romelu Lukaku has scored with four of his five shots on target at this tournament.
