Mandatory Credit: Photo by Marcio Machado/SPP/Shutterstock (13637139d) Richarlison of Brazil after scoring a goal (2-0) Brazil v Serbia, FIFA World Cup 2022, Group G, Football, Lusail Stadium, Al Daayen, Qatar – 24 Nov 2022

World Cup Monday Preview: Star-studded Brazil and Portugal look to clinch their spots in the knockout stage

Clovis Shropshire
November 27, 2022
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20 minutes read

Group G: Serbia (No. 21) vs. Cameroon (No. 43)

When, where: 4 a.m. CT, Al Janoub Stadium (Al Wakrah, Qatar)

What to expect: Serbia and Cameroon look to earn their first points of the 2022 World Cup when they clash at Al Janoub Stadium in Al Wakrah, Qatar, on Monday. The Cameroonians are winless in their five international contests, their last outright victory coming back in September in a 2-1 defeat of Equatorial Guinea. In between the Indomitable Lions have also lost to Uzbekistan, South Korea, and Switzerland in its opening Group G match. The Serbians, on the other hand, have been in much better form than their African counterparts. Serbia hadn’t lost an international match since June before its opening match defeat at the hands of powerhouse Brazil, having beaten Slovenia, Sweden twice and Norway in its lead up to the 2022 World Cup. This match certainly tells the tale of one nation playing near top form and another losing grip on current FIFA men’s world ranking. Forward Alexander Mitrovic, Dusan Vlahovic and a talented group of strikers should be more than enough to earn a much-needed three points and avoid elimination in this spot against Cameroon, which has been shut out in six of its past 10. Serbia’s weakness will be its defense, but that shouldn’t matter much here.

Chris Dell’s Prediction: Serbia 2, Cameroon 0

Group H: South Korea (No. 28) vs. Ghana (No. 61)

When, where: 7 a.m. CT, Education City Stadium (Doha, Qatar)

What to expect: South Korea looks to keep its unbeaten international streak alive when it squares off against No. 61-ranked Ghana at Education City Stadium in Doha, Qatar. The South Koreans haven’t lost outright since a defeat at the hands of Brazil in early June, with wins against Chile, Egypt, Cameroon and Iceland sandwiched in between. Ghana entered the 2022 World Cup as FIFA’s lowest-ranked nation of all 32 teams, but it played impressively well in its opening match by scoring twice in a 3-2 defeat to Portugal. Ghana must win or draw to avoid an early exit from knockout stage qualification here, while South Korea still could quality from Group H play even with an outright loss. The South Koreans should certainly be the more level-headed side in this contest, as they’re in the midst of their 10th straight World Cup campaign despite winning just three of their past 13 World Cup matches. The health and form of Son Heung-min, seemingly the face of Korean soccer, will be of the utmost importance in determining a winner here. Heung-min played in South Korea’s 0-0 draw with Uruguay on Matchday 1, but questions linger as to whether the 30 year-old star forward is playing as aggressively as he has in the past following surgery on a fractured eye socket. Look for Ghana to remain aggressive on the pitch, although Heung-min’s presence should be enough to carry the Asian Tigers to victory here. Nonetheless, this should be a highly-competitive match in the end.

Chris Dell’s Prediction: South Korea 1, Ghana 1

Group G: Brazil (No. 1) vs. Switzerland (No. 15)

When, where: 10 a.m. CT, Stadium 974 (Doha, Qatar)

What to expect: The Neymar-less Brazilians look to showcase their star-studded depth when they take the pitch against No. 15-ranked Switzerland on Monday at Stadium 974 in Doha, Qatar. Neymar, who injured his ankle late in Brazil’s opening match victory over Serbia, is scheduled to miss the rest of group play. His absence in the short term shouldn’t matter, however, as the “Canarinho” of Brazil boast arguably the world’s deepest and most talented player pool from top to bottom. That depth was headlined on Matchday 1 by the 25 year-old forward Richarlison of Tottenham, who scored twice against Serbia to vault Brazil into first place in the Group G standings. Brazil and Switzerland last played to a 1-1 draw in the 2018 World Cup and have split evenly down the middle in their four total meetings, with two draws to boot. The last time Brazil didn’t win a match outright was all the way back on Jan. 27 against Ecuador. Since then they’ve reeled off eight straight victories and have allowed just three goals total, including zero games with multiple goals allowed. Five-time World Cup champion Brazil will still have its hands full against a solid Switzerland squad here. The Swiss are no stranger to pulling off unexpected upset wins, having knocked out France at Euro 2020 and beating Italy to first place in European qualifying for the 2022 World Cup. The Swiss generation that won the Under-17 World Cup in 2009 is in top form 13 years later, so if a deep run is going to happen, it’s going to happen in Qatar. Switzerland beat both Spain and Portugal en route to Qatar, but those were international friendlies with far less on the line. With budding global stars like Vini Jnr, Raphinha and Richarlison waiting for their big moment, look for Brazil to come out with a point to prove here and play loose without its headlining act in Neymar.

Chris Dell’s Prediction: Brazil 2, Switzerland 1

Group H: Portugal (No. 9) vs. Uruguay (No. 14)

When, where: 1 p.m. CT, Lusail Iconic Stadium (Lusail, Qatar)

What to expect: Uruguay didn’t look all too impressive in an opening 0-0 draw to South Korea, but don’t mistake this South American side for a team that lacks star talent. Federico Valverde and Darwin Núñez, along with the likes of veterans Luis Suárez and Edison Cavani, create a formidable attack for the Charrúas of Uruguay. Portugal, on the other hand, played up to form offensively in its 3-2 opening victory over Ghana, although its defense left a lot to be desired in allowing two goals to the lowest ranked World Cup team of all 32 nations. Cristiano Ronaldo was awarded a penalty kick and converted versus Ghana, although many questioned the merits of the call after it looked like Ronaldo took a dive on the play. The referees might not be as rewarding on Matchday 2 in this spot between the top two ranked teams in Group H. Ronaldo has already added the accolade of being the first man to score in five straight World Cups, and this is surely the best Portuguese side he’s ever played for, but it still might be far from enough to actually make a deep run for the championship in the end. Look for Uruguay to come out aggressive in this match. With each side being comfortable with a tie, expect things to be played close to the vest and don’t be surprised to see another 0-0 draw or something close to it here.

Chris Dell’s Prediction: Portugal 1, Uruguay 0

Monday’s Schedule (Nov. 28, 2022): Matchday 2 of 3