England vs Brazil on Saturday night is one of the most tantalising matches taking place over the final international break of 2023/24. It’s a real heavyweight clash, and there’s plenty of history between the two, most famously the 2002 World Cup quarter final
Brazil record at Wembley: a closer look
The history
Overall, since the two famous footballing nations first met in 1958, Brazil have generally had the better of England. The English may have invented football, but the Brazilians perfected it, and beat England 11 times, drawing 11 and only losing on four occasions.
That said, Brazil have not proven to be great travellers to England, and their record at Wembley is not quite so handsome. In total, Brazil have played at Wembley 12 times, but only won twice.
Brazil went on a phenomenal run of winning three out of four World Cups held between 1958 and 1970, but interestingly the sole tournament they failed to win in that period was the 1966 World Cup, held in… England.
The Samba stars have played England twice in friendlies at the new Wembley. In 2013, they lost 2-1 to goals from Rooney and Lampard. In 2017 they drew 0-0 against a mediocre England side containing Jake Livermore and Ryan Bertrand.
2024 to continue the trend?
This game is a warm-up ahead of a summer where both will feel the pressure in their respective tournaments.
Brazil need to prove their doubters wrong at this summer’s Copa America. Despite Neymar’s heroics, they underwhelmed at the 2022 World Cup.
Since, there was a failed experiment under innovative Fluminense boss Fernando Diniz, but after three successive losses in World Cup qualification, Diniz was sacked and replaced with Dorival Junior.
England are in much better form than Brazil, with eight wins and two draws since their heartbreaking exit to France at the 2022 World Cup.
But with England still having failed to win a major honour under manager Gareth Southgate, despite a ‘golden generation’ that rivals any national side on the planet, the pressure will be on at EURO 2024.
Betting trends to watch
Using Brazil’s Wembley record, and the form of the two sides, let’s take a look at some key betting trends in this game.
England to win 2-1 – 15/2
It’s just over ten years since England last beat Brazil. In 2013, Frank Lampard scored late on from the bench to secure England’s first win over the Selecao since 1990, and the Three Lions haven’t lost since.
England are definite favourites in this game, but we do expect Brazil to breach the England defence at some point.
Jude Bellingham to score the last goal – 10/1
Sticking with the game from 2013, the closest player England have to Lampard’s habit of popping up with goals from midfield these days is, of course, Jude Bellingham.
Bellingham already has 20 goals and nine assists for Los Blancos. ‘Belligol’, as he has been dubbed by the Madridistas, has also developed a useful habit of scoring crucial goals and late winners, none more so than his late strike against arch-rivals Barcelona.
Bellingham relishes a big occasion, and there are few bigger than the five-time World Cup winners coming to town.
Penalty in the match – 11/4
England have managed to consistently get spot-kicks in recent years.
No surprise really when the Three Lions have cultivated an array of tricky dribblers. Bukayo Saka, Marcus Rashford, Phil Foden and now Cole Palmer, are slippery in the penalty area and are excellent at winning penalties.
They also have one of the best in the business at taking them, Harry Kane has scored 21 goals from 12 yards for his nation, more than any other player.
Richarlison to score any time – 10/3
Two of Brazil’s last three goals against England were scored by their often-maligned striker, Fred, who often wore the number nine shirt.
The likely wearer of the hallowed shirt this time around will be Richarlison, who has faced criticism of his own. Richarlison loves a wind-up, and will relish the chance to net against the country in which he has played most of his career.
For more tips on the international break, check out our boosted odds tips.
