Brazil vs Switzerland World Cup Picks and Predictions: Richarlison's Golden Tournament Continues

The two winners in Group G's opening games at the 2022 World Cup will meet in the second matchday, as Brazil and Switzerland face off.

Brazil reaffirmed their status as the World Cup odds favorite in a stylish 2-0 win over Serbia, while Switzerland didn't let a golden opportunity at three points slip away in a 1-0 win against Cameroon.

Can the Swiss shake up Group G and get a result against Brazil? We break it all down in our World Cup picks for Brazil vs. Switzerland. 

Brazil vs Switzerland odds

Brazil vs Switzerland picks and predictions

During World Cup qualifying, Spurs striker Richarlison laid claim to Brazil's No. 9 shirt at the starting striker position. The tenacious forward led Brazil in goals from open play (6) and, among players to start a game, goals per 90 (1.02) in CONMEBOL qualifying. 

The dependability Richarlison displayed as Brazil secured their spot in Qatar helped to round out an attacking unit that was increasingly balanced, with Vini Jr. and Raphina dynamic wide threats, and Neymar connecting it all as a free-roaming No. 10. 

Richarlison's fit atop Brazil's attack shined in their World Cup opener, as he scored twice in a 2-0 win, including a fantastic, acrobatic scissor kick finish. His importance as the spearhead of Brazil's attack increased shortly after his withdrawal from the win over Serbia, with Neymar suffering an ankle injury that will keep him out of the rest of the group stage.

While Lucas Paqueta, among others, will be able to connect midfield and attack in Neymar's absence, the goal-scoring onus will fall on Richarlison. 

The other members of Brazil's attacking quartet, Vini Jr. and Raphina, combined for four goals in qualifying and have fewer goals total for Brazil than Richarlison scored in eight qualifiers. They will, however, be vital to Richarlison's goalscoring against a slow-footed Swiss backline. 

Richarlison should be expected to score vs. Switzerland and it could very well look like his first against Serbia, in which Brazil got the ball to a wide attacker who cut inside to create an opportunity, with Richarlison lurking for a cutback or rebound (which is how he opened the scoring vs. Serbia).

Despite the No. 9's status as Brazil's central goal threat, he has just the fourth-shortest odds to score on Monday. That's fine by me.

My best bet: Richarlison anytime goalscorer (+210 at bet365)

Brazil vs Switzerland side analysis

For as unappealing as -200 on the 3-way moneyline is for favored Brazil, the spread of Brazil -1 (+135 at PointsBet) is downright beautiful.

This is the World Cup favorite and the deepest, most talented squad in Qatar. They weren't at their best against Serbia — a better team than the Swiss — but still created a high number of chances in their 2-0 win.

This isn't an indictment of Switzerland but simply an endorsement of a truly elite team. Plus-money odds on a multiple-goal win for Brazil in the group stage should be a nearly automatic bet — going back to their time as hosts in 2014, they've won five of their last seven group stage games by multiple goals — and for me here, it is. 

Brazil vs Switzerland Over/Under analysis

We're looking at -110 odds on either side of a 2.5-goal total and while I would take the Under, we can get better value on a Brazil clean sheet (+100) as I'm expecting all goals to come from the favorites.

They shouldn't tear the Swiss apart by any means but it should look similar to the Serbia match, in which Brazil had to work incredibly hard and build attacks relentlessly to find a way through. For as strong as the Serbs were in qualifying, Switzerland were absolutely dominant with just two goals conceded across eight qualifiers.

That defensive stability, however, will be needed as they're toothless going forward. Their creative force is central, with Xherdan Shaqiri and Granit Xhaka both playing through the middle, but that's not a midfield battle they'll win against two of Casemiro, Fred, and Bruno Guimaraes. 

It wouldn't be surprising at all to see the Swiss largely pinned in their own half against Brazil and they don't have the attacking quality to get by with just a chance or two over 90 minutes. 

Brazil vs Switzerland game info

Brazil vs Switzerland key injuries

Brazil: Neymar AM (Out), Danilo LB (Out).
Switzerland: None.

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