Juninho tips Brazil to defeat Germany in World Cup semi-final

Former Brazil international Juninho has tipped his country to defeat Germany in Tuesday evening's World Cup quarter-final showdown.

The ex-Middlesbrough favourite believes that the South Americans can progress to the final despite the absence of star player Neymar.

"As an individual, Neymar is a very big loss. No-one in the team has his power. But as a unit we can improve. Players can play for him too, so it could be good for Brazil," he told talkSPORT.

"Silva and David Luiz have been great in all the games. But we will have Dante alongside Luiz, he knows German football well, so I don't think it will be a problem.

"Getting to the final means everything. You can see how emotional the players are. It's very, very special for them. I expect to watch a great game tomorrow and I expect Brazil to go through."

Chelsea man Willian is expected to deputise for Neymar in the last-four meeting.