Match: Venezuela v Brazil
Date: 11 October, Tuesday
Time: 8:30am SGT (Wednesday)/6am IST (Wednesday)/1:30am BST (Wednesday)
Venue: Estadio Olimpico Metropolitano, Merida
Competition: 2018 Fifa World Cup Qualifier
TV Coverage: In Singapore, the TV coverage of the clash between Venezuela and Brazil will be on Eleven.
Overview
Venezuela host Brazil in their 2018 Fifa World Cup qualifying fixture at the Estadio Olimpico Metropolitano, Merida on 11 October.
Brazil have been in top form in the qualifying campaign losing only one of the nine matches so far. A 5-0 win against Bolivia on Thursday made sure the Canarinho consolidated their second spot in the South American group behind leaders Uruguay with 18 points.
However, on Tuesday the visitors will be without their key striker Neymar. The Barcelona forward has been suspended for the game after accumulating yellow cards. Willian Borges is likely to replace the 24-year-old and join the in-form Gabriel Jesus up front.
Banking on the recent form coach Tite says his team can do the job even without their star striker. Notably his predecessor Dunga was sacked earlier this year following a string of poor performances including the humiliating 7-1 defeat in the semi-final of the 2014 Fifa World Cup against Germany.
Tite also has turned the fortunes of his side in the ongoing qualification round by leading his side to three consecutive wins and another one against Venezuela looks imminent, according to the 55-year-old coach.
"The team must be strong without Neymar. It is inhumane to put everything on Neynmar," Tite was quoted as saying by the ESPN.
Liverpool star Philippe Coutinho also heaped praise on his coach ahead of the Tuesday's clash. The 24-year-old, who is expected to play a vital role along with Roberto Firmino, opined that the mood in the camp has changed after the arrival of Tite.
"Tite is a coach who keeps all the players focused, everyone feels important. Even when you don't play, he's always talking to you and when you get the opportunity you are ready to do what he asks," Coutinho said, as quoted by Goal.com
"The confidence has returned. We are training a lot on positioning and tactics and in games we everything has flowed just like it has in practice."
Meanwhile, the hosts have had a very contrasting qualifying campaign to that of their Tuesday's opponents. Venezuela are placed at the bottom of the qualifying group. They have not even won one game and have suffered seven losses, which includes a 3-1 defeat to Brazil away from home last year.
Venezuela will be low on confidence going into the clash against an in-form Brazil as they suffered another thrashing, this time at the hands of Uruguay on Thursday. Defensive discipline has been a major concern for the hosts as they have conceded 24 goals, which is the most in the group.
TV Schedule
Singapore: Eleven
US: beIN Sports
Brazil: Spor TV
India: Sony Six
Bangladesh: Sony Six
Bhutan: Sony Six
Team News
Venezuela
Possible XI: Daniel Hernandez; Gonzalez, Wilker Angel, Arquimedes Figuera, Mikel Villanueva; Tomas Rincon, Juanpi, Alejandro Guerra, Jose Manuel Velazquez, Adalberto Penaranda; Solomon Rondon
Brazil
Possible XI: Alisson Becker; Dani Alves, Marquinhos, Joao Miranda, Filipe Luis, Roberto Firmino, Fernandinho, Renato Augusto; Filipe Coutinho, Gabriel Jesus, Willian Borges
