Uruguay vs Brazil: Predicted lineup, injury news, head-to-head, telecast

2026 World Cup qualification process is underway

Brazil will be bidding to return to winning ways in their 2026 World Cup qualification section when they take on Uruguay in Montevideo on Wednesday night. The visitors will enter the contest off the back of a 1-1 draw with Venezuela, while Uruguay also shared the points last time out, playing out a 2-2 draw with Colombia in Barranquilla.

The Sky Blues were disappointing at the 2022 competition in Qatar, though, failing to make it through the group stage, which is the first time that had occurred since 2002. Marcelo Bielsa's side have won one, drawn one and lost one of their three 2026 World Cup qualifiers to date, with a total of four points leaving them in fourth position in the table, five points behind the leaders Argentina and three behind Brazil in second ahead of the next set of fixtures.

Kick-Off:

Wednesday, 18th October, 2023, 05:30 AM (IST), 12:00 AM (GMT), 17-10-23, 08:00 PM (EST)

Form

Uruguay Form (All Competitions): W-W-W-W-L-D

Brazil Form (All Competitions): L-W-L-W-W-D

Players to Watch

Federico Valverde (Uruguay)

Valverde’s greatest strength is his versatility. That he can play in a variety of positions means that he often retains his place in Real's starting XI, regardless of the system. He can also offer defensive cover as effectively as he can operate as a number 10. He is willing to resist his instincts if Real requires him to be disciplined, and is capable of covering large areas of the pitch, therefore making it difficult for opponents to dominate in midfield.

He demonstrates exceptional talent when receiving quick passes when he adopts the ideal body position and controls the ball with the leg furthest from his marker so that he can protect it with his frame. 

Bruno Guimarães (Brazil)

Guimarães is right-footed and can play as a deep-lying midfielder or higher up in a central-midfield two or three. He stands out most for passing range, and in particular his forward passing. He breaks lines with his passing into more advanced teammates and progresses play forwards in a variety of ways.

His distribution in central areas is very effective, and he has the ability to vary his passing depending on the movements and positioning of players ahead of him. Guimarães will usually focus on keeping his passes in the centre of the pitch, and he has the ability to unlock a defence with a single pass to find a runner in behind. The detail on his passes along the ground is superb; he finds gaps in the opposition that other players would not see. If there is no gap available, he will look to play over the opposition. He will be a threat for the opposition

Match Facts

• Brazil are unbeaten in their last 12 matches against Uruguay across all competitions, winning 9, and drawing 3.
• Uruguay won a game against Brazil in 2001.

Injury and Team News for Uruguay vs Brazil

Uruguay have not reported any fresh injury concerns from their draw with Colombia.

As for Brazil, Casemiro was forced off with a knock against Venezuela, meaning that the Man United midfielder is a major doubt for the contest with Uruguay. Brazil boss Diniz said that the 31-year-old picked up "a blow to his ankle" during the contest, and it would therefore be a surprise to see him involved here.

Head-to-Head

Matches: 78

Uruguay: 21

Brazil: 40

Draws: 17

Predicted Lineup for Uruguay vs Brazil

Uruguay Predicted Lineup ( 4-2-3-1):

Mele; Nandez, R Araujo, Caceres, M Olivera; Ugarte, Valverde; C Olivera, De la Cruz, Rodriguez; Nunez

Brazil Predicted Lineup (4-2-3-1):

Ederson; Couto, Marquinhos, Gabriel, Arana; Guimaraes, Gerson; Rodrygo, Neymar, Vinicius; Richarlison

Match Prediction for Uruguay vs Brazil

This has all of the makings of a fascinating match, especially as both sides will be looking to return to winning ways. Uruguay are certainly capable of claiming a positive result on Wednesday, but we just have a feeling that Brazil will be able to navigate their way to an important three points here.

Prediction: Uruguay 0-1 Brazil

Telecast

India: FanCode

UK: CONMEBOL TV

USA: Vix, Telemundo, Fubo, Fanatiz, Universo

Nigeria: FIFA+