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Regarded by many–including the oddsmakers–as the favorite to win the World Cup next month, Brazil begins their quest towards a sixth title when they take on Switzerland at Rostov Arena on Sunday.
In the United States, the game is scheduled to start at 2 p.m. ET and will be broadcast nationally on Fox Sports 1 (English broadcast) and Telemundo (Spanish broadcast). If you don’t have cable or can’t get to a TV, you can watch the game–and every other World Cup game–live on your computer, phone or streaming device by signing up for one of the following cable-free, live-TV streaming services:
Fox Sports 1 and Telemundo are both included in the “Fubo Premier” bundle, which has a channel package that is largely tailored towards international soccer fans. You can sign up for a free 7-day trial right here, and you can then watch any World Cup game live on your computer via the FuboTV website, or on your phone, tablet or streaming device via the FuboTV app.
If you can’t watch the game live, FuboTV comes with 30 hours of Cloud DVR (with the ability to upgrade to 500 hours), as well as a “72-Hour Lookback” feature, which allows you to watch any World Cup game up to three days after it airs even if you forgot to record it.
In addition to a Netflix-like on-demand streaming library, Hulu also offers a bundle of live TV channels, including both Fox Sports 1 and Telemundo. You can sign up for “Hulu with Live TV” right here, and you can then watch every World Cup game live on your computer via the Hulu website, or on your phone, tablet or streaming device via the Hulu app.
If you can’t watch the game live, “Hulu with Live TV” also comes with 50 hours of Cloud DVR storage (with the ability to upgrade to “Enhanced Cloud DVR,” which gives you 200 hours of DVR space and the ability to fast forward through commercials), allowing you to watch any game after it airs.
Fox Sports 1 (but not Telemundo) is included in the “Sling Blue” package. You can sign up for a free 7-day trial of both, and you can then watch any World Cup game live on your computer via the Sling TV website, or on your phone, tablet or streaming device via the Sling TV app.
If you can’t watch a game live, you can get 50 hours of cloud DVR storage as an additional add-on.
Preview
Ready to erase the demons of 2014, Brazil has looked thoroughly dominant in the lead-up to Russia. After bulldozing their way through CONMEBOL qualification, losing just once in 18 matches, Selecao beat Russia and defending world champion Germany–both away from home–in March then out-scored Croatia and Austria 5-0 in a pair of friendlies earlier this month.
Much like pretty much every Brazilian team ever, this team can score goals in bunches. Neymar is the headliner, but Gabriel Jesus is coming off a very good season with Manchester City, Roberto Firmino was key in Liverpool’s run to the Champions League final, Philippe Coutinho is a magician in the midfield and Marcelo is arguably the best left-back in the world and an ever-present danger bombing forward. Throw in players like Willian, Paulinho and Casemiro, and it’s an embarrassment of riches for Coach Tite’s squad.
But what makes this team especially frightening–and many’s favorite to win the World Cup–is its ability to defend. Brazil allowed just 11 goals in those 18 qualifying matches, and they enter Russia with five clean sheets in a row, having shut down the likes of England, Germany and Croatia.
Switzerland will have their hands full, certainly, but they shouldn’t be overlooked. This is an organized team that managed to draw France–in France–at Euro 2016, beat Portugal during World Cup qualifying, and has lost just one match in the last 17. That includes a 6-0 win over Panama in March and a 1-1 draw at Spain a couple weeks ago.
Ultimately, this is actually a very good opening test for a Brazilian side that is expected to easily top its group. Selecao are more talented, but Switzerland certainly have what it takes to advance past the group stage for the third time in the last four World Cups.
Put it all together, and this is a sneaky compelling matchup.
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