How Brazil could line up against Venezuela

Brazil's Premier League players have been given the green light to feature in October's World Cup 2022 Qualifying clashes, starting with Thursday's clash against basement side Venezuela.

The likes of Ederson, Fred, Fabinho and Thiago Silva have all linked up with the squad this month despite September's fiasco, with threats of a five-day domestic ban ultimately being waived.

However, Roberto Firmino and Richarlison will not link up with the squad due to their injury woes, but Leeds United's Raphinha will go in search of his first cap for the national team here.

Tite now has the old Alisson vs. Ederson decision to contend with, but the Manchester City man could get the nod this week should Alisson be saved for games with Colombia and Uruguay.

Danilo and Alex Sandro ought to occupy the full-back positions, while Thiago Silva's lack of consistent starts this term could see Marquinhos and Eder Militao start as the two centre-backs.

Everton Ribeiro scored in Brazil's most recent win over Peru and will hope to keep his place here, while Marseille's Gerson could earn a start in midfield alongside ever-present Casemiro.

Lucas Paqueta and Vinicius Junior seem set to battle it out for a start on the left, and the Real Madrid man may be fielded from the start after a bright start to the 2021-22 season with Real Madrid.

Tite will surely be tempted to rest some of his big-name attackers for Thursday's game, but Gabriel Jesus and Gabriel Barbosa could still form a potent strikeforce, with Neymar banned for an accumulation of bookings.

Brazil possible starting lineup: Ederson; Danilo, Marquinhos, Militao, Sandro; Ribeiro, Casemiro, Gerson, Vinicius Jr; Barbosa, Jesus