While Tite was naturally delighted with Brazil’s Copa America campaign during the summer, he has since realised that there is much work to be done with his squad after their recent two matches.

Despite a 2-2 draw with Colombia being respectable enough, the one-goal defeat to Peru came as a surprise, especially having thrashed the same opponents by a 5-0 scoreline less than three months earlier.

Tite had made numerous changes to his starting lineup, with Neymar   only being named on the substitutes’ bench, but the Selecao boss would have been bitterly disappointed to see his team’s 17-game unbeaten streak come to an end in such circumstances.

The main priority over the next five weeks is to defeat Argentina in Saudi Arabia on November 15, but Tite will reiterate to his squad that there are still plenty of places up for grabs ahead of that showdown.

Senegal boss Aliou Cisse   has also publicly declared that he is keen to bring new faces into the national setup, with five of the players involved in this group having earned two caps or less.

That decision is a response to missing out on Africa Cup of Nations glory during the summer, while Cisse already has eyes on developing a squad ahead of the 2021 staging of the tournament.

The qualification period begins next month with a clash against Congo, and Cisse will likely use this fixture to assess which players are ready to play a significant part in that game.

Nevertheless, history and the sense of occasion will not be lost on Cisse as his nation goes head-to-head with the five-time world champions for the first time.

Brazil form: WDWWDL

Senegal form: WWLLWW

Team News

© Reuters

Tite will have both this game and the following encounter with Nigeria in mind when naming his starting lineup, although Neymar should be handed a recall in attack.

 Eder Militano may get the nod in the centre of defence, while Atletico Madrid left-back Renan Lodi   could be in line for his debut.

Philippe Coutinho may potentially line up as the most advanced of a midfield three, with Richarlison and Roberto Firmino   being named further forward.

With M’Baye Niang not involved in the Senegal squad, Monaco frontman Keita Balde  could be given the nod up front alongside Sadio Mane and Ismaila Sarr.

The inclusion of Kalidou Koulibaly  may lead to Cheikhou Kouyate   moving back into central midfield, while Moussa Wague  is pushing for a start at full-back.

Brazil possible starting lineup: Ederson; Alves, Thiago Silva, Militao, Lodi; Arthur, Casemiro, Coutinho; Richarlison, Firmino, Neymar

Senegal possible starting lineup: Gomis; Gassana, Koulibaly, Sane, Wague; N’Diaye, Gueye, Kouyate; Sarr, Mane, Balde