2018 World Cup Qualifying – Barca Stars Face-off as Brazil host Uruguay

Uruguay (+520) at Brazil (-200), Draw (+295)

South America’s 2018 World Cup qualifiers resume this weekend with the fifth set of fixtures. The best matchup in the bunch features two ex-World Cup champs clashing on Friday Night when Brazil host Uruguay at the Arena Pernambuco in Recife (7:45 PM Eastern).

Although only four of the 18 fixtures are in the books, things are starting to take shape in the standings. Uruguay is second with nine points (3-0-1) after beating Bolivia (0-2), Chile (3-0), and Colombia (3-0); their only loss was against the leaders, Ecuador (2-1) in Guayaquil. Brazil, meanwhile, is third with seven points (2-1-1). They got the better of Venezuela (3-1) and Peru (3-0), drew Argentina (1-1), and lost to Chile.

Uruguay are in their third World Cup run under manager Oscar Tabarez. The consistency at the top has helped the team create a clear playing style and, unlike other squads, Uruguay don’t need to play many friendlies to get into a rhythm.

Of course, it helps having Luis Suarez on the roster. The striker has scored 37 goals in 38 games this season for FC Barcelona and is basically impossible to stop when he finds the ball in the box.

Unlike Uruguay, Brazil are still in their infancy under Dunga, who took over as manager following the debacle at the 2014 World Cup.

Dunga coached the squad back in 2010, but he was also fired after a disappointing World Cup performance. His defensive style was unwelcome with the Selecao at the time. But after the 7-1 drubbing at the hands of Germany in the 2014 World Cup semis, a little defense seemed to be in order going forward.

Dunga is still trying to instill a defensive mentality in Brazil, but is also trying to balance that with more aggressive game plans at home.

Brazil are led by Suarez’s Barca teammate Neymar. The Brazilian has 27 goals in 37 games for the Catalans this year and will be looking to out-do his teammate tonight.

Said Suarez at a pre-game press conference, “I have a bet with Neymar. The winner gets a burger.”

Brazil has won the last three meetings against Uruguay, but they’ve only played once since 2010. Uruguay has the edge in terms of current form and chemistry, but playing at home should level the playing field for Brazil.

Pick: Draw (+295). 

(Photo Credit: By copa2014.gov.br [CC BY 3.0 (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0)], via Wikimedia Commons