Santos vs Coritiba – Vila Belmiro at 01:00
We have a relegation scrap to look forward to in the Campeonato Brasileiro Serie A in the early hours of Sunday morning as Santos play host to bottom of the table Coritiba. If you were thinking about staying up late to watch a bit of Brazilian flair and samba football then I’d advise you get an early night as this one won’t be one to remember.
With just two points picked up from their away games this season Coxa won’t be looking forward to a trip to the Vila Belmiro which Santos have turned into somewhat of a fortress over the last few seasons. With just ten goals to their name this season Coxa will know all to well how difficult it will be for them to survive this season, especially with the board openly admitting that they aren’t willing to spend anything on playing staff this campaign.
Should they fall to defeat at home to Coritiba, Santos will potentially drop into the relegation zone for the first time this season and it’s questionable whether they have the quality to pull their way out of a scrap. Since the departure of Robinho to Chinese champions Guangzhou Evergrande the side from Sao Paulo state have struggled to create as many clear cut chances.
Piexe have picked up a solid nine points from their last four home games with just a 3-1 defeat at home to the tricolor of Gremio ruining that record. Santos do however own potentially the two best young players in the league with Geuvanio and Gabriel, with the latter already attracting interest from the likes of Shakhtar Donetsk and Paris St.Germain.
I’m expecting Coxa to come into this game with the aim of frustrating Santos and the home crowd by slowing the game down and putting in a couple of heavy challenges on the home sides poster boys. Coxa should line up in a 4-4-1-1 formation but I’m fully expecting them to sit in with two very deep banks of four as soon as they lose possession and they’ll try to get their wide players involved by playing target man Negueba.
Santos will struggle to break down Coxa especially as they don’t really possess a great deal of pace, with the 35 year old Oliverira they do have a natural finisher but someone that will run in behind is still lacking so I’m very comfortable backing the unders line here.
Asian Handicap Betting Recommendation: Under 2.25 goals @1.9
Prices correct at time of writing.
By @LewisJones1992.
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