After two days of World Cup knockout football, two quarter-final ties have already been confirmed. There are two more last 16 clashes on Monday to determine who will face in the next quarter-final. One of those ties is between Brazil and Mexico, the winner will face either Belgium or Japan on Friday.

STATS

• Brazil started their World Cup campaign slowly with a disappointing 1-1 draw with Switzerland but quickly improved with a 2-0 against Costa Rica followed by a 2-0 victory over Serbia. The five-time winners have made massive improvements since their opening match and look as though they are well-equipped for knockout football.
• Mexico have emerged as one of the tournament’s dark horses after being one of the three sides to finish above Germany in Group F. They managed to beat the 2014 winners 1-0 in their first match before going top with a 2-1 win against South Korea. They were brought back down to earth after being beaten 3-0 by Sweden but they had done enough to qualify.
• Brazil have scored five goals so far and only Phillipe Coutinho has more than one but there’s always the threat of Neymar and Gabriel Jesus in the attacking third.
• Mexico have looked dangerous going forward with the likes of Hirving Lozano, Javier Hernandez and Carlos Vela all able to use their pace on the counter-attack.

HEAD TO HEAD

In their four previous meetings at World Cup Finals, Mexico have never beaten Brazil with three losses and one draw. That draw came four years ago in Rio as both teams qualified on seven points from Group A. Brazil won the most recent meeting between the sides in 2015 courtesy of goals from Coutinho and Diego Tardelli in a 2-0 win. There have been under 2.5 goals in each of the last four matches between the two nations.

BRAZIL NEWS

Marcelo looked as though he might miss the game but it has been confirmed that he is fit to start on Monday. Brazil are still without Douglas Costa and Danilo, both players should be available if their side makes the quarter-final.

Latest matches: Brazil

27.06.2018	Worl	Serbia	Brazil	0:2	W
22.06.2018	Worl	Brazil	Costa Rica	2:0	W
17.06.2018	Worl	Brazil	Switzerland	1:1	D
10.06.2018	Int.	Austria	Brazil	0:3	W
03.06.2018	Int.	Brazil	Croatia	2:0	W

MEXICO NEWS

Mexico have been fortunate to have no players injured during this World Cup campaign and will have a full-strength squad to pick from for their last 16 clash.

Latest matches: Mexico

27.06.2018	Worl	Mexico	Sweden	0:3	L
23.06.2018	Worl	South Korea	Mexico	1:2	W
17.06.2018	Worl	Germany	Mexico	0:1	W
09.06.2018	Int.	Denmark	Mexico	2:0	L
03.06.2018	Int.	Mexico	Scotland	1:0	W

SUMMARY

Despite Mexico’s strong start to this World Cup, Brazil are certainly considered as strong favourites to make the quarter-final with a wealth of top quality players all over the pitch. It has all the makings to be an exciting game with Mexico looking particularly dangerous on the counter-attack and could be a game full of goals.