Santa Cruz v Coritiba – Estádio do Arruda at 22:30
Currently in a poor run of form but we’re hoping to break that at the weekend as we’ll be taking two Asian handicap bets in the Brazilian top flight.
On Saturday evening we’ll be taking a look at the top flight fixture between Santa Cruz and Coritiba in what has been labelled as a relegation six pointer as both sides are in desperate need of the points.
After crashing out of the Copa do Brasil in midweek against Vasco da Gama, all Santa Cruz have left to focus on is staying in the Brazilian top flight for another season.
Santa went into their Copa do Brasil game having drew the initial leg 1-1, but after a disastrous start to the second half, they found themselves two goals down within just seven minutes of the restart. After hitting the woodwork twice, it was Vasco who hit them with a sucker punch to kill the game.
After an impressive performance away to America MG last Sunday afternoon, where Santa Cruz managed to pick up three points in a superb 0-3 win, with two potentially goal of the season contenders from Tiago Costa and Arthur, you could see that Santa Cruz still have the spark of quality that is needed when picking up points in difficult fixtures.
Unlike Santa Cruz it’s been a lot tougher for Coritiba when it comes to opening sides up, as they’ve struggled for goals all season only managing 16 goals in their 15 league games so far. In fact, Coxa have only managed to score one goal in their last 280 minutes of league football.
With America MG all but relegated already with just eight points from their 15 league games, it’s up to the other teams to avoid being in the remaining three relegation positions. Should Santa manage to pick up the three points here, they’ll move themselves onto 20 points and what they’ve consider almost half way towards safety (42 points usually keeps you up).
I’m expecting this to be a nervy encounter with both sides fearing a defeat, but I believe Santa Cruz have enough to grab their sixth win of the season at their home ground which is slowly becoming somewhat of a fortress.
Asian Handicap Betting Recommendation: Santa Cruz -0.5 at 2.19
Prices correct at the time of writing.
By @LewisJones1992
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