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Brazil national football team
International Friendlies
Jun 7, 2015 at 9pm UK
 
Mexico national football team

2-0

Coutinho (28'), Tardelli (37')
FT(HT: 2-0)

Preview: Brazil vs. Mexico

Sports Mole previews the friendly between Brazil and Mexico in Sao Paulo.

After a two-month break, Brazil will be hoping to extend their run of successive wins to nine matches when they host Mexico in Sao Paulo on Sunday evening.

Mexico head into their final friendly before the Copa America looking to register just their second victory in four games after slipping up against the United States and Peru since the middle of April.



Brazil

Former Brazilian football player Dunga attends the closing ceremony prior to the 2014 FIFA World Cup final football match between Germany and Argentina at the Maracana Stadium in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil on July 13, 2014© Getty Images

After taking over a team that had suffered the embarrassment of losing 7-1 in a World Cup semi-final in front of their home supporters, Dunga would have been aware that he needed to restore confidence and belief on a number of levels in order to be accepted on his return to the hot seat.

His previous stint as coach didn't end well, with Brazil only reaching the last eight at the 2010 World Cup, but the former national team captain has showed that he has learned from his initial period in charge by putting together a new-look side.

Since being humiliated by Germany, as well as the Netherlands in the third-place playoff, eight successive victories have been recorded for the loss of just three goals, which has included triumphs over both Argentina and France.

The success in Paris was as fortunate as it was impressive. France took the lead in that game and had opportunities to extend their advantage but once Oscar equalised before the break, Brazil were able to stamp their authority on the game during the second half before running out 3-1 victors.

All of their recent wins have come in friendlies, but the general consensus is that Dunga is building something special with Brazil and the desire will be there to lay down a marker before they begin their Copa America campaign against Peru on June 14.

Recent form: WWWWWW



Mexico

Head coach Miguel Herrera of Mexico looks on from the sideline in the first half during the 2014 FIFA World Cup Brazil Group A match between Mexico and Cameroon at Estadio das Dunas on June 13, 2014© Getty Images

Given their illustrious history, Mexico are usually considered one of the favourites for the Copa America when it is staged every four years, but El Tri find themselves unfancied ahead of this year's tournament.

Only 12 months have passed since Mexico missed out on a place in the World Cup quarter-finals thanks to a late capitulation against the Netherlands, but Miguel Herrera has a big job on his hands if the team are going to return to their position behind Brazil and Argentina.

The latest world rankings have Mexico below the likes of Algeria and Wales, and that's mainly due to the South American outfit falling to defeats against Belarus and the United States over the past seven months.

An experimental starting lineup played its part in Mexico only drawing 1-1 with Peru on Thursday, but the performance would have left Herrera questioning the depth of his squad at a time when they are under pressure to return to their previous heights.

Herrera will take confidence from holding Brazil to a 0-0 draw in the World Cup group stages, but their opponents have been faultless since last July and they face a huge task to halt the Verde-Amarela juggernaut.

Recent form: LWWLWD



Team News

Gonzalo Jara of Chile and Neymar of Brazil comnpete for the ball during the international friendly match between Brazil and Chile at the Emirates Stadium on March 29, 2015

With a fixture with Honduras still to come, Dunga could opt to name many of his strongest starting lineup for Sunday's match.

Captain Neymar should lead the line, potentially alongside Robinho, who is looking for his 97th cap, while Miranda could retain his place in defence.

With Marcelo absent, Chelsea's Filipe Luis is an option at left-back, while Coutinho is in contention for an appearance in midfield.

Herrera is likely to make sweeping changes to the team that began their match with Peru on Thursday night.

The 47-year-old is expected to hand minutes to the players who didn't feature, but he may be keen to mix youth with experience given the quality of the opposition.

Brazil possible starting lineup:
Jefferson; Danilo, Thiago Silva, Miranda, Filipe Luis; Elias, Fernandinho; Douglas Costa, Coutinho; Robinho, Neymar

Mexico possible starting lineup:
Corona, Ayala, Aldrete, Dominguez, Salcedo, Montes, Guemez, Osuna, Corona, Herrera, Vuoso



Head To Head

The South American nations have previously met on 27 occasions, with Brazil winning 15 times compared to eight victories for Mexico.

However, since 2005, both teams have won three times in seven matches, with the last meeting at the 2014 World Cup ending in a goalless draw.


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We say: Brazil 3-1 Mexico

With Brazil possessing an unblemished record since their exit from the 2014 World Cup, it's hard to back against them this weekend. Mexico should improve from their last performance if Herrera recalls the majority of his regular starting lineup, but Brazil will want to impress in front of their home fans before they attempt to win the Copa America for the fifth time in seven attempts.



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Darren Plant
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Brazil's forward Oscar is congratulated by teammates after scoring a goal during the friendly football match France vs Brazil, on March 26, 2015
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