Brazil will be going for a fourth straight victory when they face Zambia in Beijing today.
The 2014 World Cup host’s won their previous friendly on Saturday with a 2-0 victory over South Korea in Seoul, with Neymar free kick and a strike from Oscar ensured a comfortable triumph.
The five-time world champions will be without goalkeeper Julio Cesar (finger), defender Thiago Silva (thigh) and striker Fred (thigh) against the 2012 Africa Cup of Nations champions.
Luiz Felipe Scolari may opt to give the likes of Alexandre Pato, Ramires and Hernanes an opportunity to start the game, with all three players having been named amongst the substitutes against South Korea.
Zambia, meanwhile, heads into the game without a permanent coach after Herve Renard ended his time in charge of the nation to take over at French club Sochaux last week.
Renard failed to take the country past the pool stages in World Cup qualifying; finishing second in their group behind Ghana.
Zambia’s fate was sealed after they lost a final game showdown with the Black Stars 2-1 in September.
Renard’s former assistant Patrice Beaumelle has taken the reins on a temporary basis and will be in the dugout for the Brazil fixture.
FC Utrecht forward Jacob Mulenga is likely to lead the line for Zambia, and could provide a threat to a Brazil side missing its influential leader Thiago Silva.
Brazil Squad
Goalkeepers: Jefferson (Botafogo), Victor (Atlético Mineiro), Diego Cavalieri (Fluminense)
Defenders: Daniel Alves (Barcelona), David Luiz (Chelsea), Marcelo (Real Madrid), Dedé (Cruzeiro), Dante (Bayern Munich), Henrique (Palmeiras), Maxwell (Barcelona)
Midfielders: Ramires (Chelsea), Lucas Moura (Paris Saint-Germain), Oscar (Chelsea), Paulinho (Tottenham Hotspur), Hernanes (Lazio), Lucas Leiva (Liverpool), Bernard (Shakhtar Donetsk)
Forwards: Neymar (Barcelona), Hulk (Zenit Saint Petersburg), Alexandre Pato (Corinthians), Jô (Atlético Mineiro)
Coach: Luiz Felipe Scolari
Zambia (probable): Kennedy Mweene; Joseph Musonda, Bronson Chama, Hichani Himoonde, Emmanuel Mbola; Kondwani Mtonga, Chisamba Lungu, Fwayo Tembo; Emmanuel Mayuka, Jacob Mulenga, Christopher Katongo.
Interim head coach: Patrice Beaumelle
