Brazil vs Colombia: Match Preview and Prediction

Brazil vs Colombia
South America – 2018 World Cup Qualifier
Date: Wednesday; 7 September 2016
Kick-off: 01:45 UK
Venue: Amazonia Arena, Manaus (Amazonas).

Brazil earned a morale boosting away win at Ecuador in the previous round of the World Cup qualifiers. As expected it was a tough battle and it needed a 72nd minute penalty from Neymar to break the dead-lock. The things were then made easy by an ill disciplined Juan Carlos Paredes who got sent-off for a second bookable offense. Gabriel Jesus scored twice in the final three minutes to ensure that the Selecao return home with all three points.

Colombia had an easy game at home against a struggling Venezuela. They didn’t disappoint and came out with a comfortable 2-0 win. James Rodriguez and Macnelly Torres scored on either half for the Los Cafeteros. Jose Pekerman’s side are currently third in the standings and are separated by a point from Brazil.

Brazil vs Colombia: Head-to-Head

Colombia defeated Brazil 1-0 in the latest meeting between these two sides at the group stages of Copa America 2015. While Brazil were victorious in the previous two meetings, both at their home; a 1-0 win in a friendly at home on September 2014 and 2-1 win at the quarter finals of 2014 FIFA World Cup.

Brazil are unbeaten in their last six home games against Colombia with 3 wins and 3 draws. They have lost only once in the last 12 meetings against Colombia, which was during their last meeting at the Copa America 2015 in Chile.

Brazil vs Colombia: Prediction

Brazil were impressive in their 3-0 win over Ecuador and with a strong head-to-head record at home against Colombia, they will be confident enough to come out as winners here. Also Colombia’s record while playing away in the qualifiers are not that strong. They are left with 2 wins from their last 7 trips, losing 3 and drawing 2. Also their wins have come against lower ranked nations Paraguay and Bolivia.

As a reason, the new look and rejuvenated Brazil look set to take all three points here. And the abundance of quality on both sides could produce goals here. Therefore I will be backing a 2-1 win in favour of Brazil.