Things have been going swimmingly for the Brazilian national team since they replaced coach Dunga with Tite after an embarrassing elimination at the group stages of the Copa América Centenario last summer. They've won all four of their World Cup qualifiers since, and sit top of the CONMEBOL group heading into Thursday's encounter with old rivals Argentina. Form certainly gives the hosts the edge.
Brazil vs. Argentina 2016: Start time, live stream, TV schedule, and 3 things to know
The two undisputed giants of South American football go head-to-head in Belo Horizonte on Thursday.
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It has, in contrast, been a rather difficult period for Argentina, who haven't won any of their last three qualifying games. It's a worrying run that has seen them slip down to sixth place in the group. Unless they improve, they won't make it to Russia 2018. The good news is the gap to the top four remains only a couple of points, and coach Edgardo Bauza will be hoping a trip to Brazil will prove sufficient to shock his players into life.
How to watch, stream, and listen
TV: beIN Sports (US and Canada - English); beIN Sports en Español (US and Canada - Spanish)
Online streaming: beIN Sports Connect (US and Canada)
For online listings in other countries, you can check out LiveSoccerTV.
Three big things to know
1. In keeping with South American tradition, home field advantage tends to play a massive role in meetings between these sides. Not since a friendly in Rio de Janeiro in 1998 have Argentina managed to win away in Brazil, and they were downed 2-1 on their last visit in 2012.
2. Argentina coach Bauza has had his hand forced by a smattering of injury problems: Ezequiel Garay, Nicolás Gaitan, Augusto Fernández and Paulo Dybala have all been made unavailable for selection due to various injury problems. By contrast, Brazil only have one enforced absentee: Real Madrid’s defensive midfielder Casemiro.
3. When these sides met in the reverse fixture in Buenos Aires, they were both under the stewardship of different coaches. Ezequiel Lavezzi gave Argentina the opener in the first half, only for Luca Lima to equalise just short of the hour mark for Brazil. The visitors had defender David Luiz sent off, but the red card came too late to make a difference, and the game finished tied at 1-1.
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