Scotland face Brazil in Miami on Wednesday night, with both teams needing a result.
Scotland might have hoped that with a pair of opening wins to secure top spot they'd have faced a weakened Brazil side in the final group game, but the Selecao need a win -- and quite possibly a convincing win -- to secure top spot in Group C.
Finishing runner-up in Group C is far from a disaster however, with a likely round of 32 tie against the Netherlands before facing a runner-up from Group A or B and potentially meeting France or Germany in the quarter-finals.
For Scotland, their position is much more precarious. The eight-best third-place teams will reach the round of 32, and three points might be enough to get there regardless of goal difference. Four points will assure the Tartan Army a place in the knockout stage, but a heavy defeat, which would impact their goal difference, will leave Steve Clarke's men sweating.
With Brazil still needing a win to top the group, Carlo Ancelotti is expected to name a strong side.
The injured Raphinha made way for Bournemouth's Rayan in the win over Haiti, and the teenager may now get the nod to start. Casemiro was hooked at half-time against Morocco but played the full 90 against Haiti and is in line to start once more.
Neymar is working his way back to fitness, and should be named on the bench for Brazil with Matheus Cunha retaining his place after scoring twice last time out.
For Scotland, Steve Clarke's priority is making things as difficult as possible for their opponents. While Ben Gannon-Doak came off the bench for Kieran Tierney against Morocco, the Celtic man should keep his place in the starting XI, and Clarke may name an unchanged side.
Scotland v Brazil match info
Match | Scotland v Brazil |
Competition | World Cup |
Venue | Miami Stadium |
Date | Wednesday 24th June |
Kick-off time | 23:00 BST |
Odds |
Predicted Scotland XI
Gunn, Patterson, Hendry, Hanley, Robertson, Tierney, Christie, Ferguson, McTominay, McGinn, Adams
Predicted Brazil XI
Alisson, Danilo, Marquinhos, Gabriel, Douglas Santos, Guimaraes, Casemiro, Rayan, Paqueta, Vinicius Jr, Cunha
Check out the latest Brazil betting on site.
