Brazil vs Panama Prediction: No Neymar? No problem for sizzling Selecao

Brazil sharpen up ahead of their World Cup 2026 campaign as they take on Panama at the Maracana in Rio de Janeiro (10:30pm BST, 6:30pm local, BBC iPlayer). The Selecao are synonymous with this competition and currently sit as fourth-favourites in the betting. Their opponents, Panama, are prepping for the second World Cup in their history. 

Read my Brazil vs Panama predictions as the World Cup edges ever closer.

Team News

The headline-grabber is the fact that superstar Neymar is likely to miss this and the friendly with Egypt with a calf injury. The 34-year-old was a surprise inclusion in Carlo Ancelotti’s squad and now he faces a race to be fit for their Group C opener against Morocco.

Football Odds

Panama are expected to have a fully fit squad at their disposal as they make the trip to the world famous Maracana.

Brazil vs Panama Odds

The Selecao are obviously the favourites, weighing in at a monstrous 1/9. Plucky Panama are priced at 16/1 while the draw is marketed at 13/2.

Brazil win and over 3.5 goals @ EVENS

There was a time when Neymar being sidelined would blunt Brazil’s attack to the point of nullification. But the Santos forward is no longer the linchpin of this side.

Ancelotti can call on the likes of Vinicius Jr, who is coming off scoring 22 Real Madrid goals this term. Tottenham’s Richarlison, scorer of 20 international goals in the famous yellow and blue. Gabriel Jesus of north London rivals Arsenal, who has bagged 19 for Brazil.

Then you’ve got Manchester United’s Matheus Cunha, Raphinha of Barcelona and longtime Arsenal forward Gabriel Martinelli. Then there’s this next man...

Igor Thiago to score last @ 7/2

Brazil is not the easiest international set-up to break into. Particularly with a World Cup looming. Brentford sharpshooter Igor Thiago debuted for his country against France in April. In his second appearance, he slammed home a penalty in the Selecao’s 3-1 win over Croatia.

Used as an option off the bench by Ancelotti so far, with the ex-Real Madrid kingpin preferring the fluidity offered by Matheus Cunha alongside Vinicius with support from the likes of Raphinha and Martinelli. 

This feeds into my pick. Thiago bagged 22 goals in the Premier League last season, second only to Erling Haaland of Manchester City. I reckon Ancelotti brings his most conventional weapon on in the second half of this friendly. When Igor hits the pitch, I think he’ll hit the net.

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