Match Previews
World Cup 2018
Round Group E
Serbia
Last updated: Wed 27 June 2018 09:24A last-minute goal condemned Serbia to a soul-sickening defeat to Switzerland. Can go through only if they win or if they draw and Switzerland lose to Costa Rica by two goals or more. Mladen Krstajic has been fined bi FIFA. No new selection issues.
Serbia face early elimination from the World Cup after falling to a 2:1 defeat to Switzerland. The Serbs scored after only five minutes in what was an evenly-matched game in terms of chances, but a last minute goal condemned them to defeat.
The result leaves the Serbs third in the table of their group and they will likely need a win over Brazil to make the knock-out round. A draw would be enough only in the event that the Swiss lose to Costa Rica by two goals or more.
The lineup that faced Switzerland contained one change to the side that took on Costa Rica, which saw Filip Kostic start ahead of Adem Ljajic. With Kostic performing well, Ljajic could now earn a recall.
Mladen Krstajic has no new selection issues to deal with.
Krstajic, along with several of his players, were publicly furious with the referee of the game against Switzerland after having what seemed like a stonewall penalty not given. Krstajic went particularly overboard with his comments and has been charged by FIFA as a consequence but escaped with only a fine.
Serbia's most recent competitive game against South American opposition was in the 2006 World Cup, when they were annihilated by Argentina with a 6:0 scoreline.
Brazil
Last updated: Wed 27 June 2018 09:12Alves is sidelined and Danilo is a likely absentee. Costa is ruled out.
Had to struggle and persevere before eventually breaking down Costa Rica for a dramatic 2:0 win on Friday in Saint Petersburg. Thus, the five-time winners earned their first victory in the World Cup but question marks continue to linger.
It was expected that Brazil would be a lot more fluent and potent in attack in this tournament but they have looked much more laboured and pedestrian overall. Yet they did push hard until the end against the tough Costa Ricans and the quality of Coutinho and Neymar eventually made the difference.
Face a huge game against Serbia on Wednesday when they now that a loss would see them bow out in the group stages. It is unthinkable scenario for one of the favourites but they will be facing a dangerous and talented side and will have to be extra wary and focused to avoid a disastrous outcome.
Douglas Costa emerged as a serious contender to start in the final group game after having a very good impact off the bench against Costa Rica. Yet he sustained a hamstring injury during that game too and he is to miss the rest of the World Cup.
Fagner is set to continue at right-back ahead of Danilo, who was missing due to a hip injury, and is set to be ruled out again. Dani Alves is definitely sidelined with an injury picked before the tournament.
- ---
- ---
4-2-3-1 Previous Line Ups
| Player | Rat. | Pos. | No. |
|---|---|---|---|
| V.Stojkovic | |||
| B.Ivanovic | |||
| D. Tosic | |||
| N. Milenkovic | |||
| A.Kolarov | |||
| N. Matic | |||
| L. Milivojevic | |||
| D. Tadic | |||
| S. Milinkovic-Savic | |||
| A. Ljajic | |||
| A. Mitrovic |
| Player | Rat. | Pos. | No. |
|---|---|---|---|
| P. Rajkovic | |||
| M. Dmitrovic | |||
| A.Rukavina | |||
| U. Spajic | |||
| M. Veljkovic | |||
| M. Rodic | |||
| L. Jovic | |||
| A. Zivkovic | |||
| M. Grujic | |||
| N. Radonjic | |||
| A. Prijovic | |||
| F. Kostic |
| Player | Rat. | Pos. | No. |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ederson.M | |||
| C Ramos | |||
| Filipe Luis K | |||
| P. Geromel | |||
| Marquinhos A Correa | |||
| Fred R. | |||
| Fernandinho LR | |||
| Renato Augusto | |||
| Taison.F | |||
| Roberto Firmino B.O |
| Player | Rat. | Pos. | No. |
|---|---|---|---|
| V.Stojkovic | |||
| B.Ivanovic | |||
| D. Tosic | |||
| N. Milenkovic | |||
| A.Kolarov | |||
| N. Matic | |||
| L. Milivojevic | |||
| D. Tadic | |||
| S. Milinkovic-Savic | |||
| A. Ljajic | |||
| A. Mitrovic |
| Player | Rat. | Pos. | No. |
|---|---|---|---|
| P. Rajkovic | |||
| M. Dmitrovic | |||
| A.Rukavina | |||
| U. Spajic | |||
| M. Veljkovic | |||
| M. Rodic | |||
| L. Jovic | |||
| A. Zivkovic | |||
| M. Grujic | |||
| N. Radonjic | |||
| A. Prijovic | |||
| F. Kostic |
Brazil
Last updated: Wed 27 June 2018 09:12Alves is sidelined and Danilo is a likely absentee. Costa is ruled out.
Had to struggle and persevere before eventually breaking down Costa Rica for a dramatic 2:0 win on Friday in Saint Petersburg. Thus, the five-time winners earned their first victory in the World Cup but question marks continue to linger.
It was expected that Brazil would be a lot more fluent and potent in attack in this tournament but they have looked much more laboured and pedestrian overall. Yet they did push hard until the end against the tough Costa Ricans and the quality of Coutinho and Neymar eventually made the difference.
Face a huge game against Serbia on Wednesday when they now that a loss would see them bow out in the group stages. It is unthinkable scenario for one of the favourites but they will be facing a dangerous and talented side and will have to be extra wary and focused to avoid a disastrous outcome.
Douglas Costa emerged as a serious contender to start in the final group game after having a very good impact off the bench against Costa Rica. Yet he sustained a hamstring injury during that game too and he is to miss the rest of the World Cup.
Fagner is set to continue at right-back ahead of Danilo, who was missing due to a hip injury, and is set to be ruled out again. Dani Alves is definitely sidelined with an injury picked before the tournament.
| Player | Rat. | Pos. | No. |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ederson.M | |||
| C Ramos | |||
| Filipe Luis K | |||
| P. Geromel | |||
| Marquinhos A Correa | |||
| Fred R. | |||
| Fernandinho LR | |||
| Renato Augusto | |||
| Taison.F | |||
| Roberto Firmino B.O |