- Scotland and Brazil are both in good scoring form, with Scotland netting nine goals in their last five games.
- Over 2.5 goals is a worthwhile punt at 17/20 for this fixture.
- Brazil have the talent to blow open any game, but Scotland are in strong form, particularly on the road, so don't expect an easy ride for the favourites.
Tartan Army can raise their game against Brazil
Scotland look to have a knack for making a go of these big games and if they can match their previous levels of intensity and organisation in Miami, they should be able to raise their profile against the current favourites Brazil.
Steve Clarke has done a good job with the Scots since taking charge in May 2019 and instilling his teams with a shape, discipline and identity. Scotland have won three in a row in all competitions coming into this, including back-to-back away victories at Bolivia and Haiti, and they will head to the Miami Stadium with confidence.
Scotland are not a side of the highest quality, but they have a few aces up their sleeves, such as John McGinn's ability to push forward and cause havoc and Lawrence Shankland's goalscoring prowess. The Aberdeen marksman has scored three goals in his last five appearances and should provide a focal point for the Scots to play off of.
Brazil still have that magic touch
But Brazil have something that Scotland cannot create and that is the magic of Vinicius Junior, who opened his World Cup account against Morocco last week and can conjure up a moment of brilliance out of nothing. Rodrygo's pace and technical quality will also stretch any defence and that should create space for the likes of Bruno Guimaraes, who laid off a lovely assist in Brazil's opener against Morocco, to make a telling play.
Carlo Ancelotti has brought a fluid shape to the Selecao since taking over in May 2025, giving them a possession-based approach but also the ability to change the tempo of the game. The Brazil of old were a little more flamboyant, but Ancelotti's added structure and balance should be a tough nut for Scotland to crack.
Can Scotland pull off a shock?
Scotland sit at the top of FIFA World Cup Group C with three points after their 1-0 win over Haiti and Brazil are just below them on one point after their 1-1 draw with Morocco. This is the final group game for both and could go either way with a lot of World Cup football left to play, so this is a game of consequence, but probably for very different reasons.
Brazil are the clear favourites at 11/25 and Scotland are long shots at 31/5, but the Tartan Army's recent form and Brazil's need to take the game to them may make it closer than the bookmakers think. Ancelotti's men are deeper and have more quality, however, so we're backing them to eventually find a way through to win the match, but not before Scotland make it interesting.
