Brazil hope to begin the October international break on a high on Thursday when they face Chile in a high-profile World Cup qualifier.
The five-time World Cup winners are fifth in CONMEBOL’s 10-team table coming into this game, the result of inconsistent form over the last year-plus, though a win could see them leapfrog Ecuador into fourth place. Chile, meanwhile, are ninth and have won just once in eight qualifying games and with 10 games to go, they will need to start correcting course soon if they want to take part in the 2026 World Cup.
Here’s what you need to know before tuning in.
How to watch and odds
- Date: Thursday, Oct. 10 | Time: 8 p.m. ET
- Location: Estadio Nacional Julio Martinez Pradanos — Ñuñoa, Chile
- Live stream: Fanatiz
- Odds: Chile +550; Draw +270; Brazil -175
Storylines
Brazil’s inconsistency continues to be their biggest obstacle, as September’s qualifiers proved. They seemed to be on the right track with a 1-0 win over Ecuador but backtracked just days later with a 1-0 loss to Paraguay, who had just one win in World Cup qualifying beforehand. Though Brazil sit in a World Cup qualifying berth right now, their relative inability to score is a cause for concern. They have nine goals in eight games, a surprising output for a team with attacking talent but cannot provide a cushion for a defense that’s conceded eight goals in the same space.
Dorival Junior’s side will have to fare without Vinicius Junior, who picked up a neck injury that will keep him out of this month’s games. Rodrygo and Gabriel Martinelli, among others, will be relied upon in attack for Brazil, while Ederson will likely return to the lineup in the absence of the injured Alisson.
Prediction
Even considering their troubles, there’s little reason to suggest that Brazil will not walk out of this clash with all three points. Expecting this to be a particularly entertaining match, though, is a different story. Pick: Chile 0, Brazil 1
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