Burkina Faso
Czech Republic
EL Salvador
Indonesia
Lithuania
Montenegro
North Macedonia
South Africa
United Arab Emirates

Preview: Saudi Arabia Under-23s vs. Brazil Under-23s - prediction, team news, lineups

sportsmole.co.uk, 26 July 2021, 09:07
Saudi Arabia Under-23s face Brazil Under-23s on Wednesday at the Saitama Stadium 2002 in the final round of group stage fixtures at the Tokyo 2020 Olympics.

Brazil currently top Group D after securing two wins from two games, while Saudi Arabia have not registered a single point during this summer's tournament.

Match preview

Saudi Arabia have conceded five goals in their first two fixtures in Japan, meaning that their hopes of progressing into the quarter-finals diminished before the conclusion of the group stages.

Despite dominating possession against Germany Under-23s on Sunday, Saad Al-Shehri's side allowed the Germans to create more chances in front of goal and Stefan Kuntz's team capitalised on that.

Sami Al-Najei helped Saudi Arabia come from behind twice on the weekend, netting his first goals at the Tokyo Games, but even though Germany were reduced to 10 players when Amos Pieper was sent off after 67 minutes, they sealed a 3-2 win through Felix Uduokhai's strike.

That result means that Saudi Arabia's youngsters have not managed to surpass their previous best at an Olympics, when they were eliminated at the group stages in 1996 - with the senior team representing the nation prior to 1992.

Brazil have all but secured their place in the last eight with the four points that they have earned so far this summer, as they look to defend their Olympic Gold medal which they won at home in 2016.

After a Richarlison hat-trick and a late strike from Paulinho completed a victory against Germany in the opening round of games, Brazil had to settle for a goalless draw last time out when they faced Ivory Coast Under-23s.

Andre Jardine's side had to play the majority of the match against Ivory Coast one player down after Aston Villa's Douglas Luiz was shown a straight red card just 13 minutes into that game.

From there on in that fixture was a close contest with both teams creating chances on target, but the goalkeepers were on top and Aderbar Santos picked up his first clean sheet of the tournament.

Brazil have won a medal at the Olympic Games in the previous three tournaments and are one of the favourites to triumph in Tokyo, coming into this Olympics with an expectation to reach the final.

Everton striker Richarlison is currently second in the top-goalscorer table this summer, only one goal behind France's Andre-Pierre Gignac, and he will be looking to add to his tally on Wednesday against a team that has shown defensive frailties.

Saudi Arabia Under-23s Olympic Games Men's Football form:

Saudi Arabia Under-23s form (all competitions):

Brazil Under-23s Olympic Games Men's Football form:

Brazil Under-23s form (all competitions):

Team News

Saudi Arabia's Aboubacar Doumbia was shown a straight red card in the opening game against Ivory Coast, just five minutes after being substituted onto the pitch deep into stoppage time, and he will continue to serve his suspension on Wednesday.

Al-Shehri is likely to name the same starting 11 to the one that played against Germany on the weekend, after their performance would have pleased the manager and they were perhaps unlucky to not come away from that game with a point.

Attacking midfielder Al-Najei was a driving force in Saudi's performance on Sunday, coming up with a brace in that game, and he will be aiming for more goals in his side's final game at this summer's tournament.

Brazil have suspension issues of their own for Wednesday's clash after Luiz's dismissal against Ivory Coast - Gabriel Menino could replace Luiz in midfield and play next to Lyon's Bruno Guimaraes.

Jardine will want his side to top the group so despite already having one foot in the quarter-finals, the manager is likely to name a strong side to ensure top spot in Group D.

Saudi Arabia Under-23s possible starting lineup:

Al-Rubaie; Shahrani, Hindi, Amri, Abdulhamid; Al-Faraj, Al-Hassan; Al-Dawsari, Al-Najei, Khulaif; Hamddan

Brazil Under-23s possible starting lineup:

Santos; Arana, Carlos, Nino, Alves; Guimaraes, Menino; Claudinho, Cunha, Antony; Richarlison

We say: Saudi Arabia Under-23s 0-3 Brazil Under-23s

Brazil will want to build upon their clean sheet from their last outing and build a strong defensive foundation heading into the knockout rounds, meaning that it may be difficult for Saudi Arabia to find a way past Santos in goal.

After failing to score against Ivory Coast, Brazil and Richarlison will be hungry to get back onto the scoresheet, and after Saudi Arabia conceded three against Germany, Wednesday's opponents will look to capitalise on that weakness.

Show more

Top News

2 March 2025 sportsmole.co.uk Eredivisie giants PSV Eindhoven and Premier League powerhouses Arsenal both have some recent wrongs to right in Tuesday's Champions League last-16 first leg at the Philips Stadion. 2 March 2025 talksport.com talkSPORT has you covered for all the latest news as the FA Cup takes centre stage this weekend. 2 March 2025 sportsmole.co.uk Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta will have Myles Lewis-Skelly back at his disposal for Tuesday's Champions League last-16 first leg away to PSV Eindhoven. 2 March 2025 sportsmole.co.uk PSV Eindhoven new boy Lucas Perez will be denied a reunion with former club Arsenal when his side welcome the Gunners to the Philips Stadion for the first leg of their Champions League last-16 tie on Tuesday. 2 March 2025 sportsmole.co.uk Clashing in European competition for the third year running, Dutch giants PSV Eindhoven and Premier League powerhouses Arsenal meet at the Philips Stadion on Tuesday for the first leg of their Champions League last-16 tie. 2 March 2025 talksport.com Wigan have sacked manager Shaun Maloney just hours after their defeat to Reading on Saturday. 2 March 2025 sportsmole.co.uk Real Madrid will welcome Atletico Madrid to Bernabeu on Tuesday night for the first leg of their Champions League last-16 clash. 2 March 2025 sportsmole.co.uk Atletico Madrid attacker Julian Alvarez can close in on a Rojiblancos record when his side face fierce rivals Real Madrid in the first leg of their Champions League last-16 clash at the Bernabeu on Tuesday. 2 March 2025 talksport.com Dele Alli was named in the Como matchday squad for the first time this weekend. 2 March 2025 sportsmole.co.uk Real Madrid midfielder Jude Bellingham remains on the naughty step for Tuesday's Champions League last-16 first leg with Madrid derby rivals Atletico Madrid at the Bernabeu. 2 March 2025 sportsmole.co.uk Inter Milan are reportedly considering making a move for Manchester United attacker Mason Mount during this summer's transfer window. 2 March 2025 sportsmole.co.uk Flashpoints and flair are to be expected in the pick of the Champions League last-16 ties, as bitterest foes Real Madrid and Atletico Madrid meet at the Bernabeu in Tuesday's first leg. 2 March 2025 sportsmole.co.uk Manchester United Under-18s head coach Adam Lawrence has said that the Red Devils are "really excited" about the development of Jaydan Kamason, who could soon be handed a first-team opportunity at the club. 2 March 2025 sportsmole.co.uk Meeting for a second time in this season's Champions League, Club Brugge and Aston Villa will clash at Jan Breydelstadion on Tuesday evening, in the first leg of their last-16 tie. 2 March 2025 sportsmole.co.uk Manchester United head coach Ruben Amorim has said that summer departures at Old Trafford are inevitable, with the Red Devils expected to make sweeping changes in order to be able to boost their squad for the 2025-26 campaign. 2 March 2025 sportsmole.co.uk Arguably now Mikel Arteta's best shot at bringing silverware to the Arsenal faithful this season, the Gunners return to a Champions League setting on Tuesday evening, facing PSV Eindhoven in the first leg of their last-16 clash. 2 March 2025 sportsmole.co.uk All transfer business is done and dusted for this season, but that doesn't stop clubs from preparing ahead for next season. 2 March 2025 sportsmole.co.uk Vancouver vs. LA Galaxy (Sunday, 10.00pm) The Vancouver Whitecaps can win their first two matches of a Major League Soccer campaign for the first time since 2018 when they host the Los Angeles Galaxy on Sunday at BC Place Stadium. 2 March 2025 sportsmole.co.uk Caykur Rizespor vs. Alanyaspor (Sunday, 10.30am) As both sides look to define their season in the Turkish Super Lig, Caykur Rizespor are set to host Alanyaspor at the Caykur Didi Stadyumu on Sunday. 2 March 2025 sportsmole.co.uk Heerenveen vs. AZ (Sunday, 11.15am) Aiming to make it four straight league victories and crack the top three of the Eredivisie table, AZ Alkmaar will travel to the Abe Lenstra Stadion to take on Heerenveen on Sunday. 2 March 2025 sportsmole.co.uk Leganes vs. Getafe (Sunday, 1.00pm) Getafe will be bidding to return to winning ways in Spain's top flight when they head to Leganes on Sunday afternoon. 2 March 2025 sportsmole.co.uk Monza vs. Torino (Sunday, 11.30am) Serie A's bottom club Monza will try to spark an unlikely escape from relegation on Sunday, when they face mid-table Torino. 2 March 2025 sportsmole.co.uk Union Berlin vs. Holstein Kiel (Sunday, 2.30pm) Holstein Kiel must start picking up points to avoid relegation from the Bundesliga, beginning on Sunday away from home against Union Berlin at Stadion An der Alten Forsterei. 2 March 2025 sportsmole.co.uk Lyon vs. Brest (Sunday, 2.00pm) Lyon will be aiming to return to winning ways when they welcome a struggling Brest side for round 24 of Ligue 1 this Sunday. 2 March 2025 sportsmole.co.uk Hibernian vs. Hearts (Sunday, 12.30pm) Two sides looking to strengthen their places in the top six of the Scottish Premiership will come together on Sunday afternoon as Hibernian host Hearts at the Easter Road Stadium. 2 March 2025 sportsmole.co.uk Newcastle vs. Brighton (Sunday, 1.45pm) Continuing their pursuit of a domestic cup double, Newcastle United take on Brighton & Hove Albion in Sunday's FA Cup quarter-final showdown at St James' Park. 2 March 2025 sportsmole.co.uk Manchester City midfielder Kevin De Bruyne has reportedly set his sight on playing at the 2026 World Cup and is ready to accept a reduced role with the Citizens next season in order to secure his place with Belgium at the tournament. 1 March 2025 sportsmole.co.uk Liverpool have reportedly monitored Georgian wonderkid Saba Kharebashvili amidst interest from Barcelona and Real Madrid. 1 March 2025 talksport.com Wilfried Zaha has wasted no time adjusting to life in MLS with Charlotte FC. 1 March 2025 sportsmole.co.uk In a clash that could impact the race for European football and the relegation battle in the Turkish Super Lig, Istanbul Basaksehir are set to host Sivasspor at Basaksehir Fatih Terim Stadium on Monday.