Robbie Savage expects Brazil elimination

Robbie Savage believes that Brazil will struggle to get beyond Germany in the semi-finals of the World Cup.

The hosts have overcome South American rivals Chile and Colombia in the knockout stages to set up the encounter with the Germans, but they will be without talisman Neymar, who is injured, as well as suspended captain Thiago Silva.

With those two omissions in mind, former Wales international Savage has conceded that the five-time winners "will probably go out" at the hands of their European counterparts.

"Feel sorry for Brazil and Neymar. His goals and flair missing and Thiago Silva being suspended against the Germans will mean the hosts will probably go out," BBC Sport quotes Savage as saying.

Brazil and Germany have only previously met once before in the World Cup, which was back in the 2002 final - a game that the Brazilians won.