Brazil vs Argentina

16 November 2019

One of the most highly anticipated international fixtures in the football calendar will take place at the King Saud University Stadium in Riyadh as Brazil face-off against Argentina in a friendly match.

Brazil’s dip in form after winning the 2019 Copa America sees them head into this clash on a run of four straight games without a win (D3, L1). While both of their previous draws ended with the identical 1-1 scoreline, their only defeat in that sequence has come against Peru, 1-0. Tite’s main issue at the moment is Brazil’s defensive crisis, as his side went from seven consecutive blank sheets to four games where they’ve conceded at least once. Another potential worry for the Seleção is that they’ve been inconsistent in the final third lately, scoring one goal or less in five of their last eight outings. But, the Brazilians have beaten arch-rivals in both of their previous H2Hs, keeping a clean sheet on each of those occasions.

Meanwhile, the Argentineans are unbeaten since finishing third in the 2019 Copa America (W2, D2) and have notably improved their attacking output since. A goalless draw with Chile aside, La Albiceleste have netted 2+ match goals in all three of their friendlies in the build-up to this clash. Seven of a total of 12 goals they’ve bagged in that period have come in the first half, while all of the remaining five arrived beyond the hour mark. Argentina’s free-scoring form might help them against a stubborn Brazil side they’ve lost to in four of their last six H2Hs (W1, D1, L4). Worryingly for Lionel Scaloni, Argentina have drawn a blank in four of those fixtures, scoring precisely one goal per match in the remaining two.