Friday 16th November 2000hrs Brazil v Uruguay Football – International – Friendly This fixture is usually the exact opposite of a friendly but modern football is such that rivalries such as this all-South American clash is now not confined to a Copa America or World Cup. Money talks and the organisers behind these friendly games are able to attract the biggest of nations to face off against each other all around the world and with Friday’s game taking place at the Emirates Stadium in London, it will attract a different fanbase than this would usually draw had it been played in South America. Continue reading for a match preview as Brazil face Uruguay with a best bet selected.
Brazil’s appeal is universal and that’s the key reason as to why they are at the forefront of these globetrotting friendly matches. Since the World Cup alone they have played in three different continents, including a mini-tournament in Saudi Arabia last month which included bitter rivals Argentina. Since losing to Belgium in that World Cup quarter final, Tite’s men have won all four matches (all of the friendly games) and have yet to concede a goal. It’s a continuation of their dominant form in World Cup qualifiers that led to them being outright favourites with their only real blip coming at the most important time. With the 2019 Copa America fast approaching – a tournament they will host – all these games are about ridding themselves of that disappointment in Russia and preparing as best they can so they are as well prepared to win their first Copa America title since 2007 which, as any Brazilian would tell you, is simply far too long. Friday’s friendly will be very lucrative for them financially and the key reason they are playing it, but all the coach will be caring about is continuing their winning form against another of their rivals.
Uruguay’s resources are much more limited in comparison to Brazil due to a hugely significantly smaller population but that makes their efforts and achievements even more remarkable. This is a nation who have not only regularly qualified for World Cups but also reached the latter stages more often than not and much of it is down to their vastly experienced manager, Oscar Tabarez. He’s been in charge of the national team since 2006 and has been convinced to stay on for the foreseeable future having reached the quarter finals of the World Cup in Russia. It’s no surprise that the Uruguayan FA wanted him to stay on such has been the success achieved under him but he is now likely to build, grow and develop a new team with a number of established players looking like coming to an end in international terms and emerging players looking to make their mark. Luckily for Tabarez, those emerging players are already playing at top clubs so that transition should be somewhat smoother. Their form since the World Cup has been somewhat underwhelming with one win and two defeats – both losses coming against Asian opposition in the space of four days last month.
Brazil v Uruguay Betting Tip
These teams will know their Copa America fate early in January in terms of the composition of their groups and that tournament is without doubt their next major focus. Uruguay have sampled success in the Copa America more recently, winning it in 2011, and although they will be well behind their hosts in terms of people backing them to win it, they still remain one of the front runners and this game will give them a further indication of how competitive they can be against the best team in South America on form and perhaps the best in the World – even though they don’t have that tag officially.
Matches between these two in South American World Cup qualifying were entertaining to say the least with a 2-2 draw in Brazil followed by an emphatic 4-1 win for Tite’s men in Uruguay. Considering their relative success, these two don’t actually meet that often but when they do, it has been very much to Brazil’s advantage. Uruguay have not beaten this rival since 2001 which is an incredible statistic but it’s not one I see changing on Friday. Brazil have emerged from their World Cup disappointment with a steely determination and they are brushing aside all comers. It may not be the attractive Brazil from past generations but it is effective and they know how to win games and I’m taking them to get another victory against another South American opponent.
Selection: Brazil 8/15 @ Boylesports
