Published Jun 9, 6:47pm ET by
Demilade Adelekun - Betting Preview Analyst and Sports Writer
Last updated Jun 9, 6:47pm ET
Credit: Shutterstock
Updated Jun 9, 6:47pm ET
Scotland and Brazil meet on matchday 3 of Group C at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami, in what is Scotland's biggest World Cup fixture in 28 years.
Scott McTominay captains a Scotland side making their first World Cup appearance since France 1998, with everything still to play for in Group C.
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| Brazil | -280 |
| DRAW | +380 |
| Scotland | +750 |
Scott McTominay scored the overhead kick against Denmark that sent Scotland to this tournament. He has been one of Serie A's best box-to-box midfielders since joining Napoli, operating in an advanced role that puts him in double figures for goals. Andy Robertson brings 92 caps and Champions League experience from Liverpool to the left flank. John McGinn adds energy and personality from Aston Villa. Billy Gilmour is out with a knee injury, which thins the midfield options Clarke had planned around.
Scotland's ambition isn't survival. Steve Clarke set the goal clearly before departure: become the first Scottish side to reach a World Cup knockout round. That means results. Against Brazil, a draw would be one of the great results in Scottish football history. A win would be the greatest. The problem is that Brazil, even an inconsistent Brazil, have Vinicius Junior and Raphinha on the ball and Ancelotti on the touchline. Scotland's compact defensive block will need to be perfect.
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Carlo Ancelotti became the first foreign coach to lead Brazil at a World Cup when he took charge in May 2025. He inherited a side that went 3-1-2 in qualifying, with losses to Argentina and Bolivia, and a squad that carries the weight of a 24-year title drought. Vinicius Junior leads the attack from Real Madrid as the primary one-on-one threat. Raphinha operates on the opposite flank from Barcelona. Neymar is in the squad at 34, his fitness managed carefully, his presence still emotionally significant even if his role is reduced. Marquinhos and Casemiro provide the defensive spine. Bruno Guimarães anchors the midfield from Newcastle.
Brazil lost to both Morocco and Scotland in this group's earlier fixtures in 1998. Ancelotti won't have forgotten that context. Against a Scotland side with a compact 4-4-2 and McTominay pressing from the front, Brazil need to be patient and clinical. If Vinicius finds space in behind, this ends early. If Scotland's block holds, it gets interesting.
Vinicius and Raphinha against Robertson and a Scotland defence built for organization rather than individual quality. Brazil have too much in the final third to be contained for 90 minutes. Scotland can make it uncomfortable and McTominay will be everywhere, but Brazil's attacking depth is the edge here. We're backing Brazil -280.
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Pick
Brazil -280
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