World Cup Brazil vs Switzerland tips: Richarlison to step into Neymar's boots

Sergiu Baltuta
28 November 2022

Richarlison bicycle-kick against Serbia at 2022 World Cup

Neymar's World Cup injury hoodoo has struck again, but Tipstrr football expert Sergiu Baltuta believes that in-form Richarlison is more than ready to shine in the PSG superstar's absence.

Brazil lived up to their favourite's tag in their opening game against Serbia, when they not only proved their renowned attacking prowess with 23 attempts at goal (nine on target), but were also miserly at the back, where they restricted their opponents to just five wayward shots.

Both Brazilian goals were scored by Tottenham's striker Richarlison, who was at his slippery best throughout, and whose second volleyed strike is already an early contender for goal of the tournament.

Comfortable as their victory eventually was, it did come at a price as they lost Neymar to injury, with the initial news suggesting that the PSG star will have to sit out the two remaining group games.

In Neymar's absence, Brazil will look even more to Richarlison, whose 19 goals for Brazil since he made his debut in 2018 is more than any other player, including nine in his last seven internationals.

Switzerland also won their opening game, securing a narrow 1-0 victory over Cameroon, thanks to a goal scored by Breel Embolo, a player who hails from Cameroon, and who refused to celebrate against the country of his birth.

While the Swiss achieved the desired result, their performance failed to impress, so they will be happy to have three early points in the bag.

Embolo's winner was his third goal in his last four Switzerland appearances, and all three goals were decisive, so if Switzerland are to score against Brazil, Embolo appears to be their go-to player.

Brazil and Switzerland have faced each other on four previous occasions, including twice at the World Cups of 1950 and 2018. That last meeting is the most relevant, of course, and the Swiss made life very difficult for the Brazilians and fully deserved their 1-1 draw in Russia.

However, Brazil look much more like the finished article this time around, and the way they hit the ground running on Thursday, it would appear that even Neymar's absence will not reduce the gulf in class between the two teams.

Switzerland are likely to set up defensively early on, but Serbia did the same to no avail, with Brazil displaying the patience and quality required to earn a comfortable win, and it would be no surprise if this game follows a similar pattern and outcome.