Brazil continues their run as the World Cup favorite, but they certainly have not overly impressed like the tournament favorites. They made it through group play without much issue, but things will get more intense in the Round of 16 as they meet up with Chile again. This has the potential to be one of the bigger games a Chile is a team to watch out for and could give the host team a run for their money.
Brazil has yet to click into top gear in this tournament. They hiccuped several times while playing in Group A and could be vulnerable in the knockout stages. Brazil is expecting to be fully healthy come their match against Chile. However, coach Luiz Felipe Scolari is planning a few lineup changes to help challenge against Chile. Fernandinho is likely going to start over Paulinho who has struggled at the midfield position. Neymar has the weight of the game on his shoulders. He has carried this tournament for Brazil and the results have been just fine while he has not gotten much support from his other teammates. He must pull together Brazil's midfield together which has struggled during the tournament. They are not looking like the cohesive unit they were in the Confederations Cup and need to get back to that play.
Chile remains a darkhorse to make a run in the tournament, but they stand a strong chance to upset Brazil on Saturday. Their attacking style has made a good run in Group A even though they suffered a loss against the Netherlands. They are an offensive-minded team that has they ability to score quickly in the attack-minded unit. their lineup will not change although Arturo Vidal could be inserted back into the lineup after sitting out against the Netherlands. Francisco Silva will be charged with slowing down Neymar all game. Chile will double up on him with Mauricio Isla.
Drama does surround this match. Chile has accused referee Howard Webb that he is under pressure to get Brazil into the finals of the World Cup. FIFA has denied these allegations. He was a ref during the 2010 World Cup Final and people are concerned he views Chile as a threat to the host country.
Brazil has not impressed, but they continue to win. Chile has looked like the better team at times and now they clash to move on to the next round. Brazil is under a lot of pressure to perform and the home crowd should help the effort. If Brazil is upset, this could be the game that it happens as they fight for supremacy in Group A.
