The Brazilian Serie A continues to bless us with bankers and solid value bets week in, week out. Palmeiras and Flamengo both play on home soil this gameweek 17 and are definite “money in the bank” picks for any slips.
Check out all that and more in this week’s preview.
Saturday 16 July
Atletico PR 13/10
Draw 39/20
Internacional 39/20
(21:30)
The opening fixture of the Brazilian Serie A sees Atletico PR attempting to bounce back from their 2-1 upset at the hands of midtable, Goias. If the home side is to keep up with the title chasing pack, a quick turnaround is crucial and a win over third placed Internacional will sweeten the deal. Internacional are not oblivious to upsets, losing to Botafogo just two matchdays prior. However, their recent hard earned 1-0 triumph over America Mineiro makes me hesitant to back against them. I am looking at under 2.5 goals here at 7/10.
Sunday 17 July
Flamengo 3/10
Draw 7/2
Coritiba 8/1
(00:00)
Flamengo are right where they belong on the table with inconsistency being very evident. If we are not to be too harsh on results, their two defeats in their last five were against Atletico Mineiro (2-0) and Corinthians (1-0) with the latter being an unfortunate own goal. This is without a doubt one of two bankers this gameweek 17. Back the home team in all multiples.
Avai 37/20
Draw 18/10
Santos 15/10
(00:00)
Santos are not in the best of form this season, but their away record against a struggling Avia possesses some good value to get behind. The away side are undefeated in their last four consecutive fixtures on the road conceding a goal a game. While it is relatively early in the season, Avai teeter above the relegation zone winless in their last four conceding 10 goals. The Both Teams to Score (Yes) market is where the coins will be spent at 9/10.
Juventude 21/20
Draw 19/10
GOIAS 5/2
(16:00)
Juventude are now winless in seven games having tasted three consecutive defeats on home soil, so there’s not too much to be confident about, except that they will concede. GOIAS on the other hand have showed a slight resurgence losing to Corinthians (1-0), defeating Cuiaba (1-0), followed by a defeat to America Mineiro (1-0) and finally a big 2-1 victory over Atletico Parananese last time out. Remember, the two defeats are against table toppers – Back the away team as our value bet of the weekend.
Sao Paulo 21/20
Draw 19/10
Fluminense 26/10
(21:00)
This is without question the toughest fixture to call of gameweek 17. The home side, Sao Paulo, are undefeated in six games across all competitions (before facing Palmeiras on Friday 15th July). While the away side, Fluminense, are undefeated in five straight Serie A fixtures, winning four, drawing one, keeping four cleansheets, and conceding just one goal in the 90th minute last time out to Ceara. I am tipping the Double Chance Draw/Win in favour of Fluminense at 13/20.
Botafogo 28/10
Draw 39/20
Atletico MG 19/20
(23:00)
Botafogo have caused minor upsets in recent fixtures – putting me out of my multiples on two separate occasions. However, when they face defending champions Atletico Mineiro, it doesn’t look to go any other way than in favour of the away side. The odds are definitely favourable, and that’s probably based on the fact that Atletico have failed to defeat Botafogo on the road in two previous attempts. They say third times the charm, so get behind the away side.
Atletico GO 5/4
Draw 37/20
Fortaleza 43/20
(23:00)
Fortaleza faced a rotated Palmeiras squad last time out capitalizing on that with a 0-0 draw. Atletico Go, on the other hand, have faced both Sao Paulo and Santos back-to-back, losing 1-2 and 1-0 respectively. This is a battle of two struggling sides and the draw seems the likeliest outcome.
Monday 18 July
America MG 29/20
Draw 18/10
Bragantino 37/20
(00:00)
RB Bragantino demolished Avai in their last fixture four goals to nil. The half time talk coupled with the right substitutes was a definite game changer with all four goals being scored after the 70th minute. America Mineiro continues to struggle with just one win in their last five and hitting the back of the net is the obvious problem among many, scoring just one goal in just as many fixtures. Back Bragantino at 37/20.
Written by Joshua Gaillard