World Cup 2026: Brazil vs Scotland Tips, Odds & Prediction

* Odds from Betway, correct at time of writing.

Brazil meet Scotland at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami in the final Group C fixture, with kickoff at 00:00 CAT on Thursday. Brazil sit top of the group on four points and need only a draw to be certain of finishing in the top two, while Scotland know a win takes them through and a draw very likely sends them on as one of the best third-placed sides. For all our World Cup betting tips, head to our dedicated section.

Brazil

Brazil sits atop the group courtesy of a 1-1 draw with Morocco and a comfortable 3-0 win over Haiti, so qualification is all but secured; though exactly where they finish in this group is far from it. Rodrygo missed the tournament after an ACL rupture and Estevao is out with a hamstring problem, but Neymar has been confirmed available and Vinicius Junior, Raphinha and Matheus Cunha give the attack plenty of menace. With first place within reach and at least a top two finish guaranteed with a draw, I expect Ancelotti to freshen his side and protect key legs rather than chase a result he does not strictly need. The quality on the ball remains the highest in this group, and Brazil will still carry a clear edge even in a rotated lineup.

Predicted Lineup: Alisson; Wesley, Marquinhos, Gabriel, Santos; Paqueta, Casemiro, Guimaraes, Vinicius Junior; Raphinha, Cunha.

Scotland

Scotland opened with a battling 1-0 win over Haiti before a narrow 1-0 loss to Morocco left them third on three points heading into this game. Steve Clarke will set up to stay compact and dangerous on the counter, leaning on Andy Robertson, Scott McTominay and John McGinn through the spine. A draw would lift them to four points and, given how the best third placed race looks, that tally would almost certainly be enough, so Clarke does not have to throw caution aside. With Brazil able to settle for a point as well, Scotland may sense a cagey night where a single moment decides whether they finish second, third or miss out on the Round of 32.

Predicted Lineup: Gunn; Hendry, Hanley, Tierney; Patterson, Christie, McGinn, Ferguson, Robertson; McTominay, Adams.

With Brazil happy to take a point to seal top spot and Scotland aware that a draw very likely carries them through, I read this as a controlled, low tempo affair rather than an open shootout. Brazil have the better players and should be good enough to pick up the three points, but a rotated side and shared incentives point towards a tight margin and few clear chances. My forecast: Brazil 1 Scotland 0.

Under 2.5 Goals (1.94)

My read on this is a low scoring game given both sides have reasons to stay measured, with Brazil able to settle for a draw and Scotland needing only to avoid defeat to be in a strong position. Scotland have managed just one goal across their two group games and Brazil are likely to rotate and control rather than chase goals. I am backing Under 2.5 Goals at 1.94 as the value play here.