MX23RW : Tuesday, March 19 05:36:48| >> :600:82644131:82644131:
[monks data]
Olympic Games Men's Football | Group Stage
Jul 25, 2021 at 9.30am UK
Nissan Stadium
Brazil U23s
0 - 0
Ivory Coast U23s

Luiz (13')
FT

Ismael (19'), Kouassi (65')
Kouassi (79')

Preview: Brazil Under-23s vs. Ivory Coast Under-23s - prediction, team news, lineups

Sports Mole previews Sunday's Olympic Games Men's Football clash between Brazil Under-23s and Ivory Coast Under-23s, including predictions, team news and possible lineups.

Following opening wins for both nations in midweek, Group D favourites Brazil Under-23s meet Ivory Coast Under-23s in Yokohama on Sunday.

The South American Under-23 champions were emphatic winners over Germany last time out, while the Ivorians put outsiders Saudia Arabia to the sword.


Match preview

Brazil celebrates after beating Germany in Group D play during the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Summer Games at Nissan Stadium on July 22, 2021© Reuters

Having qualified for seven of the last nine Olympic football competitions - claiming two bronzes, three silvers and finally gold at Rio 2016 - Brazil certainly take their quest for medals seriously, as self-appointed guardians of the beautiful game.

The team they defeated in the final five years ago were once more the opposition for the defending champions' first fixture of this summer's Games, and the Selecao repeated the result - though without recourse to penalties this time - against Germany on Thursday.

Clearly dedicated to his national duty, Everton forward Richarlison headed straight to Japan after taking part in the Copa America final defeat to Argentina earlier this month and his commitment was rewarded with a hat-trick, which was followed by Paulinho's late strike to secure a 4-2 win. Though a Germany side later reduced to ten men eventually bagged two second-half goals, a comeback never looked likely.

Only once since 1976 have a Brazilian squad failed to collect a medal of some sort from a trip to an Olympic Games, so such a win was widely expected back home, but Andre Jardine's team appear to be handling the pressure suitably well.

They are certainly in fine form, as former Sao Paulo manager Jardine has now led Brazil's next generation - aided by some experienced heads - to three successive victories, by an aggregate of 12 goals to four. That threat in the final third will surely leave opponents fearing the iconic Verde-Amarela shirts flooding into their box as the tournament progresses.

Franck Kessie of Ivory Coast celebrates scoring their second goal with teammates on July 22, 2021© Reuters

Next to face the free-flowing Brazilians, fellow first round winners Ivory Coast will come into Sunday's encounter level on points with their counterparts and within a win of securing a place in the knockout phase.

The 2019 African Under-23 Cup of Nations runners-up - who nonetheless earned a place in these Games despite suffering a 2-1 extra-time defeat to Egypt in the continental tournament - were winners against Saudi Arabia on Thursday.

An own goal from Saudi centre-back Abdulelah Al-Amri, which put Les Elephants in front, was swiftly followed by Al-Hilal winger Salem Al-Dawsari's equaliser to send the sides in level at the break.

It was Milan midfielder Franck Kessie who eventually thumped home a typically powerful strike in the 66th minute to seal maximum points for the Ivorians. His supporting run for Manchester United forward Amad Diallo was rewarded when he received the ball on the edge of the area, made a quick turn and fired between two helpless defenders.

An impressive opening performance in a more dynamic box-to-box role than the deep-lying job he is restricted to with the Rossoneri demonstrated Kessie's undoubted abilities, and his inclusion as one of coach Soualiho Haidara's overage players could make all the difference in helping the West African side get through to the final eight.

In fact, the ex-Atalanta man's fellow Serie A star, full-back Wilfried Singo, has stated the squad are intent on surpassing even their fans' high hopes to portray a positive image of the country worldwide, speaking of their privilege in representing Ivory Coast at these uniquely global Games.

Brazil Under-23s Olympic Games Men's Football form:
  • W

Brazil Under-23s form (all competitions):
  • W
  • L
  • L
  • W
  • W
  • W

Ivory Coast Under-23s Olympic Games Men's Football form:
  • W

Ivory Coast Under-23s form (all competitions):
  • W
  • L
  • W
  • W
  • L
  • W



Team News

Richarlison of Brazil pictured at the Olympics on July 22, 2021© Reuters

Though Arsenal defender Gabriel Magalhaes and Marseille new-boy Gerson were both withdrawn from the squad before departure, Brazil have a deep and versatile squad to choose from. However, head coach Andre Jardine is expected to largely keep faith with the XI that started the opening game.

Matheus Cunha had a penalty saved in first half stoppage time against Germany as his side had to settle for a mere three-goal advantage at the break, and he missed other chances too but will probably start once again. In their customary 4-3-3 formation, any two from Paulinho, Antony and ex-Barcelona winger Malcom will join Richarlison in support of the Hertha Berlin frontman.

Having fulfilled a creative midfield role and featured on the right wing at times since his return to the Brazilian top flight, ageless veteran Dani Alves continues at right-back, with fellow senior players Diego Carlos and goalkeeper Santos also lending their experience to the back line.

Ivory Coast, meanwhile, will be forced into at least one change, as Maccabi Netanya forward Aboubacar Doumbia was sent off late in the second-half of their win over Saudi Arabia and will miss out on a place on the bench as he serves a suspension.

The first XI, however, should remain intact, with Manchester United teenager Amad Diallo set to keep his spot on the right flank, while Max Gradel targets any space left by the raiding runs of Dani Alves on the opposite side.

Midfield lynchpin Franck Kessie and Diallo's United colleague Eric Bailly add steel and experience to the spine of Soualiho Haidara's young side.

Brazil Under-23s possible starting lineup:
Santos; Alves, Carlos, Nino, Guilherme; Luiz, Guimaraes, Claudinho; Paulinho, Richarlison, Cunha

Ivory Coast Under-23s possible starting lineup:
Tape; Singo, Bailly, Dabila, I. Diallo; A. Diallo, I. Doumbia, Kessie, Eboue, Gradel; Kouame


SM words green background

We say: Brazil Under-23s 2-1 Ivory Coast Under-23s

Unsurprisingly, given their wealth of attacking talent, Brazil cannot stop scoring at the moment and even a capable Ivory Coast team are unlikely to keep them at bay for a full 90 minutes.

In fact, the Selecao should register at least twice, as their well-stocked bench is capable of adding fresh impetus should any of the front three start flagging or lose form - a place in the quarter-finals is almost assured.



Top tip

Our expert tipster partners at Sporita.com are predicting under 3.5 goals in this match. Click here to find out what else they are predicting for this game and for more of their tried-and-tested football tips.Under 3.5:data



ID:456703:1false2false3false:QQ:: from db desktop :LenBod:collect12704:

Data Analysis

Our analysis of all available data, including recent performances and player stats up until an hour before kickoff, suggested the most likely outcome of this match was a Brazil Under-23s win with a probability of 57.84%. A draw had a probability of 24.3% and a win for Ivory Coast Under-23s had a probability of 17.86%.

The most likely scoreline for a Brazil Under-23s win was 1-0 with a probability of 14.25%. The next most likely scorelines for that outcome were 2-0 (11.79%) and 2-1 (9.4%). The likeliest drawn scoreline was 1-1 (11.35%), while for a Ivory Coast Under-23s win it was 0-1 (6.86%). The actual scoreline of 0-0 was predicted with an 8.6% likelihood.


Previews by email

Click here to get Sports Mole's daily email of previews and predictions for every major game!


Game History

How you voted: Brazil U23s vs Ivory Coast U23s

Brazil Under-23s
69.4%
Draw
11.1%
Ivory Coast Under-23s
19.4%
36
Collect / Create New Data
Share this article now:
Manchester City's Gabriel Jesus reacts on February 26, 2020
Read Next:
Rivaldo tips Gabriel Jesus to replace Neymar
>
Sports Mole Logo
Enter your email address to subscribe to Sports Mole's free daily transfer newsletter! Sent twice a day during the transfer window.
rhs 2.0
Today's games header
Tables header RHS

Subscribe to our newsletter


Sports Mole provides in-depth previews and predictions for every match from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football.
Argentina's Lionel Messi kisses the World Cup trophy after collecting the Golden Ball award on December 18, 2022Sign up for our FREE daily preview newsletter direct to your inbox!