Brazil vs. England: Complete Preview for Maracana Showpiece Friendly

England head to Brazil this Sunday for what they hope will not be their last visit to the South American country over the next couple of years.

For Roy Hodgson and his team, it is a particularly glamorous conclusion to the season before their summer break. For 2014 World Cup hosts Brazil, its significance is much more immediate.

The upcoming FIFA Confederations Cup is both practice for the country ahead of next year's major event, and a vital opportunity for (semi) competitive action for the national team itself.

That starts with England's visit to the Estadio do Maracana.

The two nations met at one of world football's other famous, recently renovated stadiums, in February. Wembley witnessed a disappointingly lackluster performance from its Brazilian visitors (not their only one of late).

England's 2-1 win deserves to be recognized as one of their more impressive outings of late. Just how impressive it was, though, probably depends on your assessment of the current state of A Seleção.

The rise to prominence of talented players such as Oscar, Neymar, Lucas and Thiago Silva, coupled with the increasing marginalization of aging stars like Kaka and Ronaldinho (both incidentally, not included in the squad for June's tournament), is evidence of a national set-up in transition.

Yet, is that coincidentally appropriate terminology just masking the underwhelming on-pitch action? The reappointment of Luiz Felipe Scolari (manager of the 2002 World Cup-winning squad) is not dispelling the notion that Brazil are desperately grasping for any semblance of past glories.

However, while there is certainly work to be done, concerns about Brazil's ability to win the World Cup are being exacerbated by the uniqueness of a tournament cycle sans qualifying.

Without the difficult, but reassuring monotony of home and away ties against regular continental foes, wider-ranging neuroses come to the fore.

As well as the usual burden of having to live up to so many great past sides, the current squad will, soon enough, also be contending with banishing the ghosts of the 1950 World Cup—when Brazil were famously upset by Uruguay in front of an expectant, ultimately heartbroken Maracana.

Scolari and his team could do themselves a favor with a positive Confederations Cup campaign, at least temporarily banishing some of the doubts surrounding their prospects.

Establishing a clear footballing identity throughout the ranks as they move forward is equally imperative though (something Bleacher Report tactical analyst Sam Tighe recently looked at).

Brazil's display against England could give an idea of their progress these last few months, or at least a point of comparison. Scolari would be wise not to look too much into it, given their opposition's own identity crisis right now.

Perhaps "crisis" is too strong a word for a country with a healthy chance of qualifying for next summer's tournament. England's last two fixtures—solid but uninspiring 1-1 draws against Montenegro and Republic of Ireland, respectively—have, however, given many pause for thought over the direction Hodgson's team is heading in.

Former England striker and BBC football presenter Gary Lineker stoked the fires following the game, with comments on Twitter criticizing Hodgson's tactics.

Lineker's assessments were somewhat valid, though a little harsh too. Hodgson's de-facto "4-4-2" was linear, but the stubbornness of a motivated Irish side aggravated England's perceived lack of creativity. 

Essentially a practice exercise (albeit one under the banner of the Football Association's 150th anniversary celebrations), it came at the end of a season with no tournament immediately following. Considering that, though not especially effective (bar a couple of exceptions like Michael Carrick and Theo Walcott) their efforts could have been much worse.

Similar to Brazil, it seems a tad churlish to judge England too severely right now.

Their recent limitations might prove to have consequences down the line (i.e. their four remaining World Cup qualifiers) should they not be improved upon.

The hit (the win over Brazil) and miss (the aforementioned draws) nature of England's recent performances say a lot, though.

The only real, tangible way to judge this team will be whether they have qualified for next year's competition. Until then, the evidence is too varied to describe this team as anything but a work in progress.

So, what then of Sunday's fixture.

It could bring a satisfying showing akin to their previous meeting, or add more fuel to the fire for the doubters of Hodgson and his team.

Back in the environs of the Maracana for the first time since a 2-0 win in 1984 (this is to be their sixth visit since 1959), it's greatest use for England might be as a source of motivation.

Players from Wayne Rooney to Phil Jagielka will not want to pass up the chance to return to this stadium, and other similarly atmospheric venues around Brazil. Having experienced this sampler, to not be at Brazil '14 would be to miss what may be the greatest footballing extravaganza of their lives.

In its own right though, this Sunday's game will be one to remember for the players on show.

For the English, it is their chance to shine on a pitch John Barnes so memorably lit up with his fabulous solo effort, almost 29 years ago in a 2-0 win (Mark Hateley scored the other).

The Brazilians may be more used to it, but any opportunity to play on a pitch synonymous with so many of their great countrymen—from Garrincha to Pele—is to be cherished.