Preview: Brazil vs. Honduras

Brazil, favourites for the gold, face the underdogs Honduras in the quarter-finals of the Olympics at St James' Park on Saturday.

The Brazilians topped Group C following victories over Egypt, Belarus and New Zealand, while Honduras surprised Spain to finish second in Group D behind Japan.

Remarkably, Brazil have never won an Olympic tournament. They finished runners-up in 1984 and 1988, while they gained third in 1996 and 2008.

Their squad also includes just five players who currently play their club football in Brazil, with the majority of their side European-based.

Meanwhile, Honduras have reached the semi-finals of the Concacaf Gold Cup twice in the past four years, but they have never reached this stage of an Olympic competition.

The pair have played each other five times in international football, with Honduras winning just once in 2001.

Brazil have no fresh injury concerns ahead of the encounter, although Neto, Oscar, Hulk and Alexandre Pato are all expected to return to the starting side.

Meanwhile, Honduras are expected to revert to a five-man midfield with Arnold Peralta replacing Anthony Lozano, with three-goal Jerry Bengston leading their line.

Possible lineups:

Brazil: Neto; Rafael, Thiago Silva, Juan, Marcelo; Romulo, Sandro, Oscar; Neymar, Hulk, Pato

Honduras: Mendoza; Velasquez, Leveron, Crisanto, Figueroa; Garrido, Martinez, Meija, Najar, Peralta; Bengston

Sports Mole says: 3-0

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