Preview: Brazil vs. Senegal - prediction, team news, lineups

The current African Cup of Nations champions saw their 100% record in the 2023 AFCON qualifiers come to an end on Saturday and will look to return to winning ways.

Match preview

Interim manager Ramon Menezes recorded his first win in charge of the Brazilian national team on Saturday as he watched his side thrash Guinea 4-1 at the RCDE Stadium.

Joelinton and Rodrigo scored in a three-minute spell to put the Selecao in a comfortable lead before Serhou Guirassy kept the Syli National in the game with a 36th-minute strike.

The second half was off to a bang as Real Madrid defender Eder Militao restored Brazil's two-goal lead in the 47th minute before club teammate Vinicius Junior scored from the spot to cap off a super team performance.

This was only Mendes's second game in charge of the nations, following a surprise 2-1 defeat against Morocco in a friendly matchup at the Grand Stade de Tanger on March 25

The former Brazil Under-20 coach has been temporarily tasked with guiding the star-studded Selecao side through a transitional period following the departure of veteran manager Tite back in December.

Tite stepped down from his role as the nation's head coach after a six-year stint, following a disappointing run in the 2022 World Cup, where they suffered a quarter-final exit at the hands of Croatia.

Brazil, who are currently third in the latest FIFA World Rankings, have now won all but one of their last six international friendlies since June 2022, with March's defeat at the hands of Morocco being the exception.

Senegal, on the other hand, saw their 100% record in the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers come to an end on Saturday as they were held to a somewhat disappointing 1-1 draw by Benin.

Having already secured qualification, Aliou Cisse's men head into the game looking to make it five wins from five, but Rachid Moumini cancelled out Abdoulaye Seck's first-half strike to force a share of the spoils.

They kicked off their quest for a place in Ivory Coast in June 2022, when they edged out Benin and Rwanda in their opening two qualifying games, before claiming back-to-back wins over Mozambique in last March's group double-head.

Senegal, who hold a six-point lead at the top of Group L, are one of 10 sides to have already qualified for the continental tournament and will be looking to defend their title after their triumph in Cameroon last year.

Ahead of September's group finale against Rwanda, the Lions of Teranga take on Brazil in a mouth-watering friendly as they look to pick up a third win in four games across all competitions.

Both sides met in a similar friendly matchup back in October 2019, when Roberto Firmino and Famara Diedhiou scored for either side to force a share of the spoils at the Singapore National Stadium.

Brazil friendly form:

L

W

Brazil form (all competitions):

W

L

W

L

L

W

Senegal friendly form:

Senegal form (all competitions):

W

W

W

W

W

D

Team News

The Real Madrid trio of Rodrigo, Vinicius and Militao found the back of the net to fire Brazil to a comfortable victory over Guinea last time out and should all retain their roles in the XI.

Casemiro made his 71st appearance in Selecao colours at the weekend and should wear the armband once again, teaming up with West Ham United Man Lucas Paqueta, who has started each of Brazil's last four matches.

Fresh off the back of an impressive debut, Newcastle United's Joelinton could be given the nod by Menezes, while Monaco man Vanderson will push for his debut, challenging Danilo for the right-back role.

As for Senegal, Kalidou Koulibaly was an unused substitute against Benin last time out, but should come into the fold on Tuesday, forming the centre-back pairing with Leipzig's Abdou Diallo.

Nicolas Jackson, who is heavily linked with a move to Chelsea, was a standout performer against the Squirrels and will be one to keep an eye on, while Sadio Mane and Ismaila Sarr should join the Villareal forward in the final third.

Brazil possible starting lineup:

Alisson; Vanderson, Militao, Marquinhos, Lucas; Casemiro, Joelinton, Paqueta; Rodrigo, Richarlison, Vinicius

Senegal possible starting lineup:

Dieng; Jakobs, Diallo, Koulibaly, Mendy; Kouyate, N Mendy, Ciss; Mane, Jackson, Sarr

We say: Brazil 3-1 Senegal

While Brazil eased to a comfortable victory against Guinea, they should expect a more difficult challenge from an experienced and star-studded Senegal side. However, we expect the Selecao to have too much quality for the African champions and come out on top at the Estadio Jose Alvalade.

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