There is a lot of soul-searching going on in Argentina this morning following their 3-0 capitulation against Croatia last night. While the Albiceleste aren’t completely out of the Cup, they are on the outside looking in at the moment. For Brazil to avoid a similar fate, they’ll have to put the struggles of the first game behind them, a 1-1 draw with Switzerland, and concentrate on putting the minnows of the group, Costa Rica to the proverbial sword. Group leaders Serbia and Switzerland play in today’s late game, so Brazil are free and clear to hammer the Ticos. Willian, as usual starts. Brazil starting lineup (4-3-3): Alisson | Marcelo, Miranda, Thiago Silva, Fagner | Philippe Coutinho, Casemiro, Paulinho | Neymar, Gabriel Jesus , Wilian Substitutes from: rest of the squad Costa Rice starting lineup (3-4-3): Navas | Acosta, Gonzalez, Duarte | Oviedo, Guzman, Borges, Gamboa | Venegas, Urena, Ruiz Substitutes from: rest of the squad Date / Time: Friday, June 22, 2018, 13:00 BST; 8am EDT Venue: Zenit Arena, St. Petersburg Referee: Björn Kuipers (Netherlands) On TV: ITV 1 (UK); Fox Sports 1, Telemundo (USA); elsewhere Streaming online: ITV Hub (UK); FOX Sports Go, Telemundo Deportes En Vivo; Sling World Cup (USA)<doc-sep>When you subscribe we will use the information you provide to send you these newsletters. Sometimes they'll include recommendations for other related newsletters or services we offer. Our Privacy Notice explains more about how we use your data, and your rights. You can unsubscribe at any time. Brazil take on Costa Rica in their second World Cup clash in Group E with a major fitness worry in the shape of golden boy Neymar. The PSG superstar was fouled 10 times against Switzerland – more than any other player in the the last 20 years of World Cup tournament games – and limped out of training earlier in the week. There have been doubts over whether he would be fit to face Costa Rica on Friday, but the latest updates suggest Neymar will recover in time to line-up for Tite's side. Manchester City star Gabriel Jesus will lead the line for Brazil, while opening game goalscorer Philippe Coutinho will remain in the midfield trio unless Neymar is not available to start. Take a look through the gallery to reveal the predicted Brazil team to face Costa Rica in World Cup Group E.<doc-sep>BRAZIL may be World Cup favourites, but after bumbling to a draw in their opener against Switzerland, they do need to kickstart their campaign. Costa Rica couldn’t repeat their heroics of four years ago and crashed to Serbia and are even more desperate for a win. 2 Neymar was given rough treatment against Switzerland, being foul ten times in total Credit: Splash News That’s easier said than done, though, and the fact they are 16-1 in a two-horse race sums up their chances. The nation expects Whenever and whoever Brazil play the country expects nothing more than a victory. Anything but a comfortable success and it will be a national footballing disaster. Costa Rica’s previous World Cup exploits sent them to Russia under more pressure than ever before. But realism dictates the fans will be delighted with a point. 2 Costa Rica haven’t lost back to back World Cup games since June 2006 Credit: AFP or licensors Key battles/star men How fit is Neymar? Can Costa Rica keep him quiet? What about the rest of the matchwinners throughout the Brazil team? The biggest battle will probably be between the Samba stars and their own complacency - although the first game slip-up should put them straight on that one. Weakest links If Brazil are vulnerable anywhere it is at the back and Marcelo always has a mistake or two in him. It’s just that it usually doesn’t matter because they outscore opponents. Costa Rica have had largely the same players for a long time and while that gives them solidity, how will their ageing legs cope in the latter stages? Likely line-ups and team-talks Brazil - Coach Tite will warn his side they cannot afford to be as wasteful as their first game. Team: Allison; Danilo, Thiago Silva, Miranda, Marcelo; Casemiro, Paulinho; Willian, Coutinho, Neymar; Jesus. Costa Rica - Oscar Ramirez wants to keep it tight and frustrate, and make the most of what few chances they’ll have. Great in theory, a mountain to climb in practice. Team: Navas; Gamboa, Acoste, Gonzalez, Duarte, Oviedo; Venegas, Guzman, Borges, Bryan; Urena Best bet Unthinkable to see anything but a Brazil win, and a comfortable one at that. To win both halves around 6/4 looks nailed on and correct score of 4-0 at 9/1 is tempting (odds with Betway). More from World Cup 2018 NO HARD FEELINGS Man dumped by Gareth Southgate's wife insists he holds no grudge 'i want a girl' England star Kyle Walker's model girlfriend reveals she wants FOURTH baby ON THE PLANE Who is Seema Jaswal, how old is ITV World Cup presenter and is she married? Best Bet Surely it was just an opening game stutter for Brazil? Betway is offering 11-2 for the Brazilians to serve up another draw Fact Me Brazil have won nine of their 10 previous internationals against Costa Rica, losing only in a friendly in March 1960. This is the third meeting between Brazil and Costa Rica at the World Cup, with the former inflicting Costa Rica’s first ever defeat on them at the tournament in 1990 (1-0), before a 5-2 victory in 2002. Costa Rica’s only previous World Cup victory against South American opposition came in the 2014 tournament (3-1 vs Uruguay). They’d lost their previous three against CONMEBOL sides beforehand. Philippe Coutinho’s goal against Switzerland was his 11th for Brazil – five of those have come from outside the box. Costa Rica lost their first match against Serbia, ending a five-game unbeaten run at the World Cup finals – they haven’t lost back to back World Cup games since June 2006, when they lost four in a row. Brazil are winless in three World Cup matches (D1 L2), their worst run since June 1978, when they went four matches without a win. Against Serbia, striker Marco Ureña had just 14 touches in 67 minutes for Costa Rica, with three of those in the opposition box – his replacement, Joel Campbell, had 24 touches and four in the opposition box. Neymar limps out for Brazil World Cup training session<doc-sep>When you subscribe we will use the information you provide to send you these newsletters. Sometimes they'll include recommendations for other related newsletters or services we offer. Our Privacy Notice explains more about how we use your data, and your rights. You can unsubscribe at any time. Brazil will be looking to get their first win of the tournament under their belts this afternoon following their lacklustre 1-1 display against Switzerland. They come up against Costa Rica, who suffered a narrow 1-0 defeat to Serbia in their Group E opener. The odds are in Brazil’s favour, winning nine of their last 10 games against today’s opponent. Neymar picked up a knock in training earlier this week but is expected to start today's match. The Paris Saintt-Germain forward, who broke a bone in his right foot in February, felt pain in his right ankle but took part in another session on Wednesday. How to watch Brazil vs Costa Rica live on TV Brazil vs Costa Rica is being broadcast live on ITV today. The match kicks off at 1pm, with coverage on the TV starting from 12.30pm. How to watch Brazil vs Costa Rica stream online Brazil vs Costa Rica is being streamed online by ITV. You can watch the game on the ITV Hub, although you may have to sign in to your account to access the stream.<doc-sep>
Brazil take on Costa Rica in the first game on Day 9 of the 2018 FIFA World Cup. The 5 time World champions are not in good touch right now and were unable to get all three points vs Switzerland. They are set to come up against Real Madrid's Keylor Navas today and it will be interesting to see how they fare against him. The Seleção need a win today to have any chance of topping the group. Serbia are currently on top of Group E thanks to Aleksandar Kolarov's strike vs Costa Rica. They take on Switzerland in the final game today and a win will seal their place in the knockout stage. Regardless of the result between Switzerland and Serbia, if Brazil want to top their group, a win today is a must. There cannot be a bigger motivation for them than that right now. Team news Brazil have a couple of injury worries ahead of their game vs Costa Rica today. Danilo and Neymar picked up knocks in training and are doubtful for the game. While Danilo is expected to be on the bench for sure, Neymar will face a late fitness test. The PSG star had pain in his right ankle and limped out of training earlier this week. Reports suggest that the pain has subsided. Fagner is likely to start tonight as a replacement for Danilo. The Manchester City defender has a thigh strain and is not fit enough to play vs Costa Rica. Tite has no other option in his squad as the only other fullback is Filipe Luis - and he is someone who has never played on the right side of the defence. Brazil predicted XI and formation Brazil's Predicted XI Tite will have to make that one forced change and apart from that, no other player is expected to be dropped.