World Cup 2022 Tipsheet: Brazil prepared for another clean sheet on Monday

The second round of World Cup group games continues on Monday with some important matches in Groups G and H. Here is how Greg Lea sees the action playing out.

Cameroon v Serbia

Kick-off: 10am Monday

Cameroon were made to rue a lack of end product in their 1-0 defeat by Switzerland on matchday one. The Indomitable Lions worked the ball into some promising positions at the Al Janoub Stadium, particularly in the first half, but a combination of questionable decision-making and erratic execution meant they failed to find the back of the net.

Serbia were also beaten last time out, although their 2-0 loss to Brazil was widely anticipated. Dragan Stojkovic’s side were well in the game in the first half but they faded after the break, and by the end of the match they had failed to land a single shot on target.

Serbia possess plenty of attacking quality, and their playmaking duo of Dusan Tadic and Sergej Milinkovic-Savic will see more of the ball in this encounter. But Stojkovic’s side lacks pace and Cameroon could exploit that shortcoming with quick breaks forward. Goals at both ends is the way to go here.

Prediction: Both teams to score @ 1.96

South Korea v Ghana

Kick-off: 1pm Monday

There were plenty of positives to take from South Korea’s performance against Uruguay on Thursday. Since taking charge Paulo Bento has tried to make the Taeguk Warriors a more possession-based side and there were signs of their composure on the ball in a 0-0 draw with the two-time world champions.

South Korea will need to be more clinical against Ghana, however. They fashioned a handful of opportunities but not many of them were clear-cut. And when they did create a presentable chance, South Korea were wasteful.

Ghana scored twice against Portugal but struggled to keep their opponents out at the other end. Again, there were positives to take from their display but a 3-2 defeat leaves the Black Stars under pressure ahead of this crunch clash at the Education City Stadium.

If South Korea can be a little sharper in the final third on Monday, they should be able to find the back of the net. Back them to do so in the second half when the game is likely to open up.

Prediction: South Korea over 0.5 goals second half @ 1.96

Brazil v Switzerland

Kick-off: 4pm Monday

Brazil took a while to get going against Serbia, but a 2-0 victory was a fair reflection of their dominance. Richarlison was the star of the show with two goals, while Neymar showed flashes of his quality (without being at his best) and Vinicius Junior looked sharp on the left-hand side of the attack, despite expectations that he would begin the match on the bench.

What should not be overlooked is the fact that Serbia - a team with some excellent attacking players - did not even manage a shot on target. A clean sheet was further evidence of Brazil’s defensive solidity; Tite’s side conceded just five goals in their 17 matches in CONMEBOL qualifying.

Switzerland got the job done against Cameroon, with Breel Embolo notching the only goal of the game. But there are still doubts over this team’s ability to put the ball in the back of the net, particularly against stronger opponents. Another Brazilian clean sheet beckons.

Prediction: Brazil to win to nil @ 2.24

Monday World Cup 2022 Predictions

Cameroon v Serbia: Both teams to score @ 1.96
South Korea v Ghana: South Korea over 0.5 goals second half @ 1.96
Brazil v Switzerland: Brazil to win to nil @ 2.24