World Cup Qualifier CONMEBOL Preview: Brazil vs Uruguay – Tuesday, Nov. 19, 2024
Brazil will look to regain its form in the 2026 World Cup qualifier as it hosts Uruguay on Tuesday night. Both teams are battling for position near the top of the South American table, with Uruguay in second place and Brazil in fourth.
Brazil hopes to rebound after a disappointing 1-1 draw against Venezuela last time out, while Uruguay comes off a dramatic 3-2 win over Colombia, where a last-minute goal from Manuel Ugarte clinched their second-place standing.
Brazil’s Qualification Struggles and Recent Performance
Despite their rich history, with five World Cup titles, Brazil has struggled to capture the trophy since 2002. In both the 2018 and 2022 World Cups, Brazil’s journey ended in the quarter-finals (not to mention their home fiasco and the painful semi-final loss to Germany in 2014), highlighting a growing desire to make a deeper run in 2026.
The Selecao has underperformed so far in this qualification round, managing just five wins, two draws, and four losses out of 11 matches. This leaves them in fourth place with 17 points, five behind leaders Argentina and two behind Uruguay. A win on Tuesday could significantly boost Brazil’s position in the standings, putting them back in contention for a top finish.
In their recent match against Venezuela, Dorival Junior’s side took a first-half lead with Raphinha’s goal, but Venezuela quickly responded to secure a 1-1 draw. Brazil will also be motivated to overcome recent defeats to Uruguay, including a penalty-shootout loss in the 2024 Copa America quarter-finals and a 2-0 loss in the previous qualifier in Montevideo (last October).
Monaco’s Vanderson will miss out due to suspension, while Guilherme Arana has withdrawn from the squad with an ankle injury. Elsewhere, Alisson Becker, Eder Militao, and Rodrygo are also unavailable due to injuries, leaving Brazil without several key players. Veteran Danilo is expected to step in for Vanderson, adding experience with what could be his 65th cap.
Up front, Igor Jesus, who led Brazil’s frontline against Venezuela, will aim for his second international goal, supported by Vinicius Junior, Raphinha, and Savinho.
Uruguay’s Rising Confidence Under Marcelo Bielsa
Uruguay, on the other hand, enters this match on a high after their thrilling 3-2 win against Colombia, where Ugarte’s late goal solidified their second-place ranking, just three points behind Argentina. Marcelo Bielsa’s side has a strong qualification record so far with five wins, four draws, and only two losses from 11 matches. They’ll also come into this clash with confidence, overcoming Brazil in their last two meetings.
La Celeste remains in a strong position amidst waves of criticism, which culminated in Luis Suarez—Uruguay’s all-time leading scorer, who recently retired from international football—accusing head coach Marcelo Bielsa of fostering a ‘toxic culture’ in the national team, citing restrictive policies that isolate players from staff, fans, and each other.
Uruguay’s history includes two World Cup triumphs (1930 and 1950), though they struggled in Qatar two years ago, bowing out in the group stage. Fans are optimistic about their chances in 2026, though, with hopes of a resurgence under Bielsa’s tactics.
The latest victory over Colombia was Uruguay’s first success since their penalty shootout win against Canada in the third-place playoff at the 2024 Copa America. Their recent record, featuring four draws in their last six games, indicates a team capable of grinding out results in tough situations.
Uruguay’s lineup under Bielsa is likely to remain largely unchanged, with Ugarte potentially joining the starting XI after his winning goal against Colombia. Liverpool’s Darwin Nunez, with 13 goals in 32 caps, will lead the line, while Facundo Pellistri is set to take on a wide role, adding creative depth to Uruguay’s offense.
Possible Starting Lineups of Brazil and Uruguay
- Brazil: Ederson – Danilo, Marquinhos, Gabriel Magalhaes, Abner – Gerson, Bruno Guimaraes – Savinho, Raphinha, Vinicius Junior – Igor Jesus. (4-2-3-1)
- Uruguay: Sergio Rochet – Nahitan Nandez, Joes Gimenez, Joaquin Olivera, Marcelo Saracchi – Manuel Ugarte, Federico Valverde – Facundo Pellistri, Cristian Aguirre, Maximiliano Araujo – Darwin Nunez. (4-2-3-1)
Spooky Express Betting Prediction
For Tuesday’s World Cup qualifier, the betting odds favor Brazil at -149 on EveryGame, reflecting the Selecao’s anticipated edge despite recent inconsistencies. A bet on a Brazilian victory means a $149 wager would return $100, showing confidence in the Brazilians to get back on track.
Meanwhile, Uruguay offers an appealing +450 for an upset, meaning a $100 bet would net $450 if La Celeste can pull off a win at Arena Fonte Nova. A draw, currently priced at +265, could attract bettors anticipating a close, hard-fought battle, especially given Brazil’s recent struggles and Uruguay’s stability. These World Cup Qualifier odds underscore the competitiveness of this clash, appealing to both risk-takers and those seeking a more conservative play.
Can Uruguay Snatch a Point?
This World Cup qualifier promises to be a closely fought battle. Brazil has shown inconsistency throughout this qualification campaign, while Uruguay is gaining momentum after several disappointing results. Expect a tightly contested match, with Uruguay possibly earning a point as they aim to maintain their place near the top of the table.