Back page Brazil are the most successful World Cup team of all time, but they head to this summer’s tournament in Russia with a major point to prove.
The five-time winners had high hopes of lifting the trophy on home soil four years ago, but Germany’s 7-1 demolition job in the semi-finals ruthlessly ended their hopes of success.
It took a long while for Brazil to recover from that result and even threatened to derail their hopes of qualifying for Russia.
Howeever, when Tite took over from Dunga as head coach in 2016 he quickly improved their fortunes. Brazil were the first team to qualify for the World Cup and ended up top of the South American qualifying group.
Brazil are favourites to win the trophy for a sixth time, but check out these free football tips before wagering on the outcome.
The South Americans haven’t won the World Cup since 2002, but their current squad boasts a huge array of attacking talent.
The likes of Neymar, Gabriel Jesus and Philippe Coutinho have the ability to terrorise defences in Russia and they should progress through the group stage with ease.
Brazil face Switzerland, Costa Rica and Serbia during the first round of the tournament and it would be a major surprise if they failed to top the group.
Costa Rica were one of the surprise packages at the 2014 World Cup, beating Uruguay and Italy before drawing with England.
They edged past Greece in the last 16, but their run eventually came to an end against the Netherlands.
Costa Rica finished second in the CONCACAF qualifying group for this summer’s tournament and their talented side could be a good bet to take the same spot behind Brazil.
Switzerland qualified for the World Cup after finishing second in their group, behind Portugal, on goal difference.
They went on to beat Northern Ireland in the play-offs thanks to a controversial penalty from AC Milan full-back, Rico Rodriguez.
Serbia comfortably won their qualification group, but they haven’t reached the last 16 of the World Cup since 1998.
The Brazilians scored 41 goals in qualification and they are expected to be one of the most entertaining sides to watch in Russia.
The 7-1 result against Germany will undoubtedly serve as motivation this summer and Brazil are strongly fancied to reach the final in Moscow on July 15.
