Skip to main content

Brazil vs. South Korea Picks, Predictions World Cup 2022: Samba Boys Dance Into Last 8

Anthony Wootton

Last Updated: December 5, 2022 4:53 AM EST • 2 min 26 sec read.

Brazil's Richarlison celebrates with supporters after his side defeated Switzerland.
Brazil's Richarlison celebrates with supporters after his side defeated Switzerland. Photo by Anne-Christine Poujoulat via AFP.

Brazil are coming off a loss in their final group-stage affair after rotating out most of their first-team players. Will the added rest help the South American side cruise past South Korea? Find out with our Brazil-South Korea World Cup picks.

This will be South Korea’s first game in the knockout stages of the World Cup since 2010 when they were beaten 2-1 by Uruguay in the Round of 16. They have won only one of their five games beyond the group stage in the competition (one draw, three losses), with that victory coming against Italy in at this stage in 2002.

Here are our picks for the World Cup match between Brazil and South Korea on Dec. 5 (odds via DraftKings Sportsbook and PointsBet; pick confidence based on a 1-to-5-star scale).

Brazil vs. South Korea Game Info

Date: Sunday, Dec. 5, 2 p.m. ET
TV: Fox Sports, Telemundo
Location: Stadium 974, Doha, Qatar
Weather: 77 degrees, 1% chance of precipitation, 5 mph winds

Brazil vs. South Korea Picks

  • Spread: Brazil -1.5 (-120 via DraftKings)\
  • Over/Under: Over 2.5 (-124 via PointsBet)
  • Prop bet: Brazil no first-half goals (+150 via DraftKings)

Brazil vs. South Korea ATS Pick

Brazil -1.5 (-120) ★★★★★

Brazil head coach Tite announced on Sunday that Neymar is fit to play on Monday. His quality was missed during their last two group matches, during which they totaled just one goal against Switzerland and Cameroon.

These two teams last met in June, when Brazil won 5-1 thanks to two penalties from Neymar. This will be the eighth meeting between Brazil and South Korea, and the first-ever competitive meeting between the two sides. Brazil have won six and lost one to Monday’s opponents.

South Korea left it very late to qualify for the last 16, and they showed they can compete against quality opposition. They conceded four goals during the group stage, with all goals given up in their last two games. Their defense is a concern, even if Neymar is limited. They could be outmatched across the pitch against the 2021 Copa America runners-up.

Brazil are big favorites with all sportsbooks. Caesars Sportsbook is offering -135 on this line. The best value is with DraftKings, which has Brazil at -120 against the spread.

Brazil vs. South Korea O/U Pick

Over 2.5 (-124) ★★★★

South Korea scored four and conceded four during the group stage. They offer a threat going forward but can be caught out at the back. Brazil took their foot off the gas against Cameroon on Friday, but they had qualification secured and didn’t need to take risks.

Tottenham’s Son Heung-min registered his first goal contribution at Qatar in the 91st minute of Friday’s win over Portugal, assisting Hwang Hee-Chan to secure their qualification from the group.

Son is still looking for his first goal of this tournament and has scored with just one of his last 13 shots at World Cups (vs. Germany in 2018).

His teammate at Spurs, Richarlison, scored twice in Brazil’s opener against Serbia. The Selecao have goals throughout their team, including Neymar, Vinicius, Raphina, Antony, Rodrygo, and others. They’ll be rested and ready for this one.

Goals are clearly expected in this match. Caesars is offering -135 for the Over, while FanDuel Sportsbook prices it at -130. The best value is with DraftKings and PointsBet at -125.

Brazil vs. South Korea Prop Pick

Brazil no first-half goals (+150) ★★★

Brazil have failed to score in the first half in each of their last five World Cup games, their joint-longest run of games without a first-half goal in the competition.

The South Americans have progressed from each of their last seven last-16 matches at the World Cup, failing to win in normal time only once during that run, progressing via penalties against Chile in 2014. They were last eliminated at this stage in 1990 by Argentina.

South Korea were good at the back in Friday’s win over Portugal. They’ll set themselves up not to concede, which could frustrate Brazil early.

Where to Bet on Brazil-South Korea Picks

  Here are our best World Cup betting sites:  

Brazil-South Korea picks made 12/4/2022 at 12:54 p.m. ET

Written By:
Anthony Wootton
Anthony is an accredited NFL journalist and has been reporting on the league for over a decade, covering the London games for the BBC and other broadcast outlets. He's presented a North American sports show for national radio across the UK, which is now the TransAtlantic Sports Show podcast. Anthony has also produced and presented radio documentaries on football for global audiences. He has years of betting experience, writing NFL tips for some of the industry's biggest sportsbooks. He's a producer of sports content, including Premier League, LaLiga, Bundesliga, Champions League, and international soccer. He's a keen follower of sport, and a long-time sufferer of English Championship team, Blackburn Rovers. He's a keen runner and completed a challenge of running every day in 2021, which included a minimum distance of 5km in the rules.