Thursday's international friendly betting tips: Previews, predictions and odds

Korea Republic vs Brazil

Will 2022 be the year Brazil end their World Cup draught?

Seleção have won a record five world titles to date, but haven't conquered the world for two decades, going out in the quarter-finals four years ago.

However, Tite has put together a very impressive outfit who have only lost one of 31 competitive fixtures since going out in Russia.

Once again, Brazil topped the CONMEBOL qualifying table, winning 14 of 17 matches, conceding just three times.

This week, the South American giants are in Far-East Asia and will take on Japan in Tokyo on Monday.

Before then, can Korea Republic claim a famous scalp at Sangam Stadium?

The Taegeuk Warriors have now qualified for ten consecutive World Cups, amassing 23 points from ten third-round matches.

Since finishing fourth on home soil in 2002, South Korea have only won three of 13 World cup games, only reaching the knockout phase once.

This month, Paulo Bento's team face Chile, Paraguay and Egypt in friendlies, looking to improve that record come November.

Will Brazil have too much quality in Seoul?

Mexico vs Uruguay

Mexico and Uruguay will both travel to Qatar later this year hopeful of making an impact, making these preparation games vitally important.

El Tri have gone out at the round of 16 stage, no earlier or later, at each of the last seven World Cups with the quinto partido remaining illusive.

Tata Marino is under pressure to deliver, having lost to the U.S. in both the Nations League and Gold Cup Finals of 2021.

His team have already been in action during the international window, taking on Nigeria in Arlington on Saturday.

Santiago Giménez opened the scoring in Texas, bagging his second international goal, in a 2-1 victory.

After this, Mexico meet Ecuador at Solider Field, before a pair of Nations League games against Suriname and Jamaica to conclude the month.

Here, they'll face their toughest test of the quintet, with two-time world champions Uruguay the opponents in Arizona.

La Celeste sacked legendary Head Coach Óscar Tabárez at the end of last year, following four successive World Cup qualifying defeats.

The gamble paid off because his replacement, Diego Alonso, won his first four matches in charge and that was enough to see Uruguay qualify.

Now, having reached the knockout phase at each of the last three tournaments, la Celeste will be looking to extend that record in Qatar.

This month, Uruguay will face the United States in Kansas at the weekend before returning to Montevideo for a game against IR Iran.

Here will there be a winner at State Farm Stadium?

Ecuador vs Nigeria

Ecuador will make their World Cup return later this year, so are looking to show their best in Qatar in November.

La Tricolor finished fourth in CONMEBOL qualifying, accumulating 26 points from 18 games, so have now reached four of the last six editions.

Gustavo Alfaro's team will take on hosts Qatar before challenging fixtures against Netherlands and AFCON champions Senegal come the winter.

Thus, their three friendlies in the U.S. this week are vital as preparations goes up a notch.

After this, Ecuador face Mexico in Chicago before making their way down to Florida where they'll conclude the window against Cape Verde.

Nigeria meanwhile will not be travelling to Qatar later this year, missing a tournament for only the second time since Italia '90.

Back in March, the Super Eagles had their wings clipped as they crashed out of qualifying, falling on away goals to West African neighbours Ghana.

Since then, they've changed manager, with this international window new Head Coach José Peseiro's first chance to impress.

Already this week, Nigeria have taken on Mexico in Arlington, losing 2-1 courtesy of William Troost-Ekong's second half own goal.

After this two-game tour of America, AFCON qualifying kicks off with Nigeria hosting Sierra Leone before a trip to minnows Mauritius.

This one at Red Bull Arena in New Jersey could very much go either-way.

Japan vs Paraguay

Japan's World Cup preparations continue with this Kirin Challenge Cup match at the Sapporo Dome.

The Samurai Blue have now reached seven successive World Cups after qualifying with a victory in Australia back in March.

Japan reached the round of 16 in Russia but, having been drawn with Germany and Spain, Hajime Moriyasu's team face an incredibly tough challenge.

So, this month's friendlies against Brazil, Ghana and Chile/Tunisia are vitally important as preparations intensify.

Paraguay meanwhile have qualified for eight World Cups in their history, but have now failed to reach three successive tournaments.

Los Guaraníes won just three of 18 qualification matches, finishing eighth, above only perennial strugglers Bolivia and Venezuela.

Overall, Paraguay have only won five of their last 28 competitive internationals with attention now turning towards Copa América 2024.

Guillermo Barros Schelotto's side are staying in Far-East Asia this month with games against Korea Republic and Brazil to come.

Here, hosts Japan are favourites for victory in Sapporo.