Brazil have won six of their last seven games
Both teams have scored in each of Norway’s last six fixtures
Recommended bet: Brazil to win and both teams to score @ 47/20 with LiveScore Bet
A late goal from none other than Erling Haaland saved Norway from a foray into extra-time and clinched a first-ever World Cup knockout stage win against Ivory Coast, but the most successful side in the competition's history await them in the round of 16.
Brazil stumbled out of the blocks against Morocco, but they have found their form since that 1-1 draw and, buoyed by Vinicius Junior's goalscoring exploits, head to the New York New Jersey Stadium in high spirits.
Date, kick-off time, stadium, competition
Sunday, July 5th, 9pm at the New York New Jersey Stadium, East Rutherford - World Cup round of 16
Where to Watch
ITV1, STV, ITVX & STV Player
Outright Odds
More market odds and predictions
Recommended bet | Stat |
Vinicius Junior to score anytime | Vinicius Junior has four goals this tournament and has netted in eight of his last 12 appearances for club and country. |
Over 2.5 goals | Over 2.5 goals has landed in seven of these sides’ eight combined World Cup games. |
Martin Odegaard to score or assist | Martin Odegaard has scored two and assisted 11 in his last nine appearances for Norway, only failing to register a goal contribution in one of those. |
Erling Haaland over 3.5 shots | Erling Haaland has attempted 14 shots in three World Cup appearances, registering four or more in each of those games. |
Brazil may have needed an injury-time winner to avoid going beyond 90 minutes against Japan, but that does not tell the full story after a dominant second-half display from Carlo Ancelotti's side.
They had 11 shots to Japan's single attempt on goal in the second half alone as they chased an equaliser and then a winner, and Gabriel Martinelli's last-gasp winner suggests that this group of players may have the grit required to end their 24-year World Cup drought.
This victory from the five-time winners of the competition followed thrashings of Haiti and Scotland and, with six wins from their last seven games, they should have the quality to end Norway's hopes of an upset.
However, Brazil are unlikely to have it all their own way and the world-class talent in the Norwegian attack should make this game interesting.
The Selecao started slowly against both Morocco and Japan, and Norway will be looking to capitalise on that.
With Erling Haaland spearheading an attacking set-up that also includes Martin Odegaard, Antonio Nusa and Alexander Sorloth, they have more than enough quality to get on the scoresheet.
Stale Solbakken's side have scored 10 goals in four games and, despite being rested for their defeat to France, Haaland already has five World Cup goals to his name.
The Vikings have scored in 22 of their last 23 games, with their sole failure to find the net coming in a goalless draw against Switzerland in March.
They have netted 14 times in six assignments since then, and they should find their way past a Brazilian defence with only two clean sheets in their last nine fixtures.
But the South American giants have stars of their own going forward, foremost of which is Vinicius Junior.
The Real Madrid ace came under some criticism for his performances for the national team before the World Cup, but he has put those doubts to bed with four goals in four appearances.
He has scored in eight of his last 12 appearances for club and country, netting 10 times in total in that period.
Supported by a star-studded midfield and defence, Vinicius can lead the Selecao to the quarter-finals on Sunday.
Team news
Barcelona star Raphinha picked up a hamstring injury against Haiti and has not featured since. He has been ruled out of this tie, with the hope he can recover in time for the quarter-finals, if Brazil make it that far.
Teenage Bournemouth winger Rayan has replaced Raphinha on the right in their last two games and could win his sixth international cap, joining Matheus Cunha and Vinicius Junior in Brazil's attack.
Norway defender Julian Ryerson also suffered an injury in the group stage as he was forced off against Senegal. He missed their meetings with France and Ivory Coast, but he could return to the squad against Brazil.
If Ryerson does not progress as hoped, Marcus Pedersen is expected to retain his right-back berth, while Norway's hopes will rest with the world-class attacking quartet of Odegaard, Haaland, Sorloth and Nusa.
Predicted Team Line-Ups
Brazil (4-3-3): Alisson; Danilo, Marquinhos, Gabriel, Santos; Guimaraes, Casemiro, Paqueta; Rayan, Cunha, Vinicius Junior.
Norway (4-3-3): Nyland; Pedersen, Ajer, Heggem, Wolfe; Odegaard, Berge, Berg; Sorloth, Haaland, Nusa.
Stats
Both teams to score has landed in seven of Brazil's last nine matches
Norway have scored in 22 of their last 23 games
The Vikings' four World Cup games have averaged 4.5 goals per game
Brazil have scored nine goals in four World Cup assignments
Vinicius Junior has scored four goals in four appearances this tournament
Erling Haaland has scored five goals in three World Cup appearances
Score prediction: Brazil 2-1 Norway
The latest Brazil vs Norway odds are available on LiveScore Bet
