Brazil winger Neymar. (Photo : Getty Images)
Tournament favorites Brazil (3-1-3, 12 points) and Colombia (4-2-1, 13 points) are set to clash at the Arena da Amazônia in Manaus, Brazil on Sep. 6, Tuesday for a Matchday 8 encounter in the 2018 FIFA World Cup CONMEBOL qualifying tournament.
Start Time and Streaming Info
The game starts at 8:45 p.m. UTC+4. It can be viewed live online thru FuboTV.
Brazil had struggled to find wins in their first few matchdays of the CONMEBOL World Cup qualifiers with a loss and three draws, but have now managed to win once again with captain Neymar back for the squad after a successful gold-medal winning campaign in the recently concluded Rio Summer Olympics.
The Canarinho routed Ecuador, 3-0, at the Estadio Olímpico Atahualpa in Quito on Sep. 1 as the FC Barcelona winger contributed a goal while Olympic teammate Gabriel Jesus added a brace to give new manager Tite his first win at the helm for the national team, ESPN reported.
After a goalless first half of play, Neymar netted the opening goal via a penalty kick at the 72nd minute before striker Jesus scored two at the 87th minute and in stoppage time to complete Brazil's magnificent three-goal haul.
The team is now in the middle of the overall standings, at fifth place, tied on points with sixth-placed Paraguay but has a superior goal difference.
Meanwhile, Colombia snatched its third consecutive win in the qualifiers with a 2-0 beating of nine-man team Venezuela at their home stadium of Estadio Metropolitano Roberto Meléndez in Barranquilla also on Sep. 1, as per Goal.
Superstar midfielder and team captain James Rodriguez made his presence felt in the international scene after scoring the opening goal in the first half stoppage time then assisting on the second one to teammate Macnelly Torres at the 81st to complete the two-goal rout.
Head coach José Pékerman's squad is currently in a triple-tie on points with Uruguay and erstwhile frontrunner Ecuador as they head into this crucial game with the Brazilians.
Prediction and Predicted Lineup
The predicted result is a tough 2-1 decision for Brazil.
Brazil starting lineup (4-1-4-1 formation): Alisson; Alves, Marquinhos, Miranda, Marcelo; Casemiro; Willian, Augusto, Paulinho, Neymar; Jesus
Colombia starting lineup (4-2-3-1 formation): Ospina; Medina, J. Murillo, O. Murillo, Diaz; D. Torres, Sanchez; Rodriguez, M. Torres, Muriel; Bacca
