Cameron vs Brazil World Cup 2022: Date & Time, Match Preview, Team News, Prediction

Back-to-back victories for Brazil to start their 2022 World Cup campaign means their place in the round of 16 has already been secured.

The pre-tournament favourites have dazzled in spells and impressively denied both Serbia and Switzerland from testing Alisson between the sticks. Barring a mini-miracle on Matchday 3, Tite’s men will advance into the last 16 as group winners.

Cameroon need to upset the odds if they’re to have any chance of qualifying from Group G. Their Vincent Aboukakar-inspired fightback against Serbia on Matchday 2 rescued a point and kept them in the tournament, but they need plenty to go their way in the final round of fixtures for them to progress.

Where are Cameroon vs Brazil playing?

Photo: Getty Images

• Location: Lusail, Qatar

• Stadium: Lusail Iconic Stadium

• Date: Friday 2 December

• Kick-off Time: 19:00 GMT / 14:00 ET / 11:00 PT

Cameroon team news

The major team news coming out of the Cameroonian camp surrounds goalkeeper Andre Onana. The Inter shot-stopper was removed from Rigobert Song’s squad ahead of the 3-3 draw with Serbia and will not play any further role in Cameroon’s campaign.

Veteran striker Aboubakar has surely played his way into Song’s starting XI for this one after he scored and assisted off the bench on Matchday 2.

Cameroon predicted lineup vs Brazil

Photo: Getty Images

Cameroon starting 11 (4-3-3): Epassy; Fai, Castelletto, N’Koulou, Tolo; Anguissa, Hongla, Kunde; Mbeumo, Aboubakar, Choupo-Moting.

Bench: Ngapandouetnbu, Mbekeli, Wooh, Ondoua, Ngamaleu, N’Koudou, Nsame, Toko Ekambi, Bassogog, Gouet, Mbaizo, Ntcham, Ebosse, Marou.

Brazil team news

Tite will be without Neymar and Danilo for Brazil’s final group game, with the pragmatic boss poised to make a few changes to the side that beat Switzerland 1-0 on Matchday 2.

Alex Telles could come in for Alex Sandro at left-back, while it’s unlikely that both Fred and Lucas Paqueta will start in midfield. Richarlison could be rested up top with Gabriel Jesus potentially coming in, while Rodrygo could make his first start of the tournament down the right.

Brazil predicted lineup vs Cameroon

Brazil starting 11 (4-1-4-1): Alisson; Militao, Thiago Silva, Marquinhos, Telles; Casemiro; Rodrygo, Guimaraes, Paqueta, Vinicius Jr; Jesus.

Bench: Ederson, Weverton, Dani Alves, Fabinho, Alex Sandro, Fred, Richarlison, Antony, Raphinha, Everton, Bremer, Pedro, Martinelli.

Match preview

Photo: Getty Images

Cameroon kicked off the group stage with a 1-0 defeat to Switzerland, with Breel Embolo scoring the only goal of the game against the country of his birth, in the eighth straight World Cup defeat for the African side.

The Indomitable Lions did create chances, registering as many shots on target as their opponents, but they came up just short, meaning they had to get at least a point in their second match, against Serbia.

Despite at one point looking like they were heading for an early exit from the tournament, Rigobert Song’s side fought back from a 3-1 deficit to tie the game up at 3-3, after Jean-Charles Castelletto had initially opened the scoring.

Vincent Aboubakar and Eric Maxim Choupo-Moting struck within quick succession in the second half to ensure that Cameroon have something to play for on Friday, showing the determination that will be required if they are to get anything against one of the tournament favourites.

While they will no doubt still be outsiders, Song will be hoping his side may be able to capitalise on playing a Brazil team which may not be as strong as in previous matches, owing to the fact that they are very likely to progress as group winners.

As expected, Brazil have booked their place in the round of 16, winning their first two games at the World Cup for the first time since 2010, in which they reached the quarter-final.

Selecao are yet to concede a goal in the tournament, kicking off with a 2-0 victory against Serbia, in which Tottenham Hotspur striker Richarlison bagged a second-half brace to wrap up the three points.

Following that, Tite’s side left it late but again secured a victory, this time against Switzerland, with the goal coming from a perhaps unexpected source, given their array of attacking talent, as Casemiro struck late to seal a 1-0 victory.

The two sides last met in competitive action in the group stage of the 2014 World Cup, in which Brazil emerged 4-1 victors thanks to a Neymar double and additional goals from Fred and Fernandinho.

That scoreline would be more than enough for Selecao on Friday, setting up a round of 16 clash against the team that finishes second in Group H, most likely either Ghana or Uruguay.

Cameroon vs Brazil prediction

Although the Lions pulled off a fine comeback against Serbia, they are very much the underdogs in this game.

The scoreline really depends on whether Brazil throw off the shackles having sealed qualification or whether the absence of Neymar and their generally average displays in front of goal will be the key plotline.

A 3-0 Brazil win.