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Brazil national football team
International Friendlies
Jun 11, 2015 at 2am UK
 
Honduras national football team

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Preview: Brazil vs. Honduras

Sports Mole looks ahead to Brazil's final warm-up game before the Copa America as they welcome Honduras to Porto Alegre.

Brazil's preparations for the Copa America draw to a close on Wednesday when they take on Honduras in Porto Alegre.

For the Hondurans it is the penultimate warm-up fixture ahead of their participation in the CONCACAF Gold Cup.



Brazil

Former Brazilian football player Dunga attends the closing ceremony prior to the 2014 FIFA World Cup final football match between Germany and Argentina at the Maracana Stadium in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil on July 13, 2014© Getty Images

Brazil will be eager to finish their Copa America preparations on a high when they welcome Honduras to the Estadio Jose Pinheiro Borba in the southern city of Porto Alegre.

The Selecao have been in superb form since they hosted last year's World Cup, winning all nine of their matches since losing to the Netherlands in the third-place playoff.

Their most recent triumph came on Sunday when they earned a 2-0 victory over Mexico in Sao Paolo.

Goals from Philippe Coutinho and Diego Tardelli made the difference at Allianz Parque as Dunga maintained his 100% record since taking charge of the team for a second time.

"I think it was [a good result] in the end," the former midfielder told reporters. "I have more questions in my head now regarding the starting XI and the players know that I have so many options now."

Dunga's return to the dugout has also coincided with an improvement in defence for Brazil, with seven clean sheets kept in nine matches. Just two goals have been conceded by the five-time world champions in that time. Meanwhile, a return of 20 goals at the other end of the pitch suggests that they have lost none of their attacking flair.

Recent form: WWWWWW


Honduras

Defender Emilio Izaguirre in action for Honduras against Ecuador on November 19, 2013.© Getty Images

Honduras can build on their recent upturn in fortunes when they travel to Brazil for their penultimate friendly before the CONCACAF Gold Cup.

The Central Americans are currently on a three-game unbeaten run that has included two victories and one draw.

Their last outing ended in a 2-2 draw with Paraguay on the weekend, though manager Jorge Luis Pinto would have been disappointed after the match after seeing his team let two leads slip during a lively encounter in Asuncion.

Prior to their recent resurgence, Honduras had gone seven games without a victory. A 6-0 thrashing by Japan in a friendly was a particular low point, while a 3-1 defeat to French Guyana also damaged confidence.

Despite being ranked 75th in the world, players such as Wilson Palacios, Emilio Izaguirre and Oscar Boniek Garcia have plenty of international experience.

Honduras will play their final warm-up fixture before the Gold Cup at the end of the month when they will entertain Mexico.

Recent form: LLLWWD


Team News

Neymar in action for Brazil on November 18, 2014© Getty Images

Having missed Brazil's victory over Mexico due to his participation in the Champions League final for Barcelona, Neymar could be back in the squad for Wednesday's game.

Coutinho and Tardelli have a chance of keeping their places in the side, though Dunga is expected to make a handful of changes. Oscar and Luiz Gustavo are both unavailable, with the pair having been ruled out of the Copa America due to injury.

Honduras will be without the suspended Maynor Figueroa following his red card against Paraguay.

Brazil possible starting lineup:
Jefferson; Danilo, Miranda, Luiz, Luis; Fernandinho, Elias, Casemiro; Coutinho, Willian; Tardelli

Honduras possible starting lineup:
Escober; Palacios, H Figueroa, Beckeles, Izaguirre; Garcia; Martinez, Mejia, Acosta; Castillo, Najar


Head To Head

Brazil have the superior record when it comes to past meetings against Honduras, winning four out of six matches against the Central Americans.

The Selecao have scored a whopping 20 goals in those four victories, with an 8-2 thrashing back in 1994 their most resounding triumph.

Honduras have consistently struggled against the might of the Brazilians, though they did record a 2-0 win in the Copa America 14 years ago before drawing 0-0 two years later.


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We say: Brazil 3-0 Honduras

Brazil have enjoyed a rejuvenation under Dunga since last year's World Cup catastrophe and it is difficult to see anything other than a Selecao victory against Honduras. Key players will be back for the hosts, while the team is likely to be pumped up for what is their final warm-up game before the Copa America. The Hondurans will be expected to put up a fight after putting together a three-match unbeaten run, though they will find it tough to stop the Brazilians.



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Brazil's midfielder Luiz Gustavo is congratulated by teammates after scoring a goal during the friendly football match France vs Brazil, on March 26, 2015
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