Carlo Ancelotti's appointment was a statement of intent by Brazil and they will head for the US aiming for glory after their clash with Panama on Sunday night.
Brazil's 3-1 win over Croatia in Orlando earlier this year was a great result for the Selecao and Ancelotti is working with a talented group.
They are beginning to show an impressive defensive foundation, along with some difference-makers in the final third, which should bode well for the upcoming World Cup finals.
Panama head to the tournament hoping to pip Ghana to third place in England's group, but they are massive outsiders for this trip to Rio de Janeiro.
Brazil v Panama Tips Summary
Best Bet - Over 2.5 goals and both teams to score - No @ 6/4
Alternative Bet - Brazil to win 4-0 @ 7/1
Bet Builder - Casemiro to score, Casemiro to be booked & Matheus Cunha 3+ shots @ 55/1
Brazil v Panama Prediction
Best Bet: Over 2.5 goals and both teams to score - No @ 6/4
Brazil won the shot count in their loss to France in March and they followed that up by restricting Croatia to three shots on target in a 3-1 victory.
Ancelotti's side were also able to contain Tunisia and Senegal in their November matches, facing only three shots on target across those two matches.
Panama lack the talent in the final third to really trouble this Selecao backline, especially with Casemiro, Bruno Guimaraes and Danilo patrolling the midfield and Alisson Becker in goal.
La Marea Roja have shot up the world rankings thanks to their qualifying success, but they were a big fish in a small pond with the three World Cup hosts not taking part.
They suffered a 3-1 loss to Uruguay and a 5-0 defeat to Colombia at the 2024 Copa America. That was followed by defeats against the US and Canada in October of that year.
This test should be too much for Panama, so back Brazil to score three or more goals and keep a clean sheet, as they have done in two of their four previous meetings with Panama.
Alternative Bet: Brazil to win 4-0 @ 7/1
Brazil rounded off their World Cup qualifying campaign with home wins to nil over Paraguay and Chile in 2025, while they also picked up friendly wins over South Korea and Senegal.
Their forward line of Vinicius Jr, Raphinha and Matheus Cunha looks capable of causing problems, while there are plenty of other quality players waiting in the wings.
Panama have already proven they can't keep up with the strength of South American sides, so back Brazil to flex their muscles in this warm-up clash.
The hosts look good for a 4-0 victory, which can be backed at 7/1.
Brazil v Panama Bet Builder Tip
Casemiro to score
Casemiro to be booked
Matheus Cunha 3+ shots
Pays 55/1
Casemiro finished his final season with Manchester United in a purple patch of form, scoring four goals across his final eight appearances.
He finished the season with 10 goals and he could carry that form into a game which Brazil are backed to dominate.
However, the former Real Madrid midfielder has been booked in three of his last four friendly matches for Brazil and he's a huge price for another card on Sunday night.
While the hosts are expected to dominate possession, the experienced anchorman is still capable of drawing a 24th booking for his national side.
His team-mate Cunha is expected to start as the central striker and he'll have a key role in the team with Neymar sidelined.
Cunha took 99 shots for the Red Devils this season and he finished the campaign by taking at least three shots in four of his final five appearances.
With the hosts expected to get plenty of chances, Cunha to have at least three shots completes this treble.
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Key Match Stats
Brazil won their final two home World Cup qualifiers to nil
Panama lost 3-1 to Uruguay and 5-0 to Colombia at the last Copa America
Brazil have won three of their four previous meetings with Panama to nil
Casemiro has been booked in three of his last four friendly appearances for Brazil
Matheus Cunha took three or more shots in four of his last five outings for Man Utd
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This article was written by a partner sports writer via Spotlight Sports Group. All odds displayed on this page were correct at the time of writing and are subject to withdrawal or change at any time.
