Brazil vs Norway Prediction: Can Norway dump five-time winners out?

One of the most-anticipated last-16 clashes comes on Saturay as Brazil face Norway at the MetLife Stadium in New Jersey on Sunday (4pm local, 9pm BST, ITV1). 

This one promises to be a belting encounter, and below you can find my Brazil vs Norway prediction featuring team news and more.

Team News

Carlo Ancelotti will be without midfielder Lucas Paqueta for this clash after he suffered a hamstring strain, so he will have to rejig his midfield. Casemiro also picked up a small ankle issue but should be okay to feature, alongside Bruno Guimaraes and either Fabinho or Danilo.

Vinicius Jr will line up in attack alongside Matheus Cunha and Rayan, with Gabriel Martinelli likely to stay on the bench despite his late winner against Japan.

Norway boss Stale Solbakken has no such injury issues and could name an unchanged XI for this game. Erling Haaland will lead the line, supported by Alexander Sorloth and Antonio Nusa, who scored a belting goal against Ivory Coast in the last 32.

Brazil vs Norway Odds

Brazil are 9/10 to win this game in 90 minutes, while Norway are 11/4 to win in 90 mins, and 13/8 to win the tie. A draw which would force extra-time is also 11/4, while Vinicius Jr and Haaland are the 7/2 joint-favourites to score first. 

Both teams to score @ 4/6

This should be a cracking tie, so I’ll open up my selections by backing both teams to score. With Haaland and Vinicius on the pitch that shouldn’t be too big an ask, while we also saw both teams find the net in each of these nations’ last-32 clash. 

They both ran out 2-1 winners, while Norway also saw both teams score in all of their group games so there are plenty of goals on offer in this. Norway’s attack is superb, their defence is slightly shaky and Brazil may be more open than expected with their midfield injuries. Decent price for BTTS. 

Norway to win the tie @ 13/8

I think this is a real 50/50 contest, which means that there is far more value in backing Norway to progress than Brazil. With Haaland at the top end of the pitch, anything really is possible, and they can certainly go toe-to-toe with Ancelotti’s side.

I look at Musa as a player who could have joy up against Danilo, and I also think the midfield battle could be weighted towards Norway. They are probably going to concede at least once, but I’ve got full belief in Haaland and this Norway side to do something pretty special.