The Brazilian Serie A is nearing the halfway mark of the season and the general favourites Flamengo, Palmeiras, and Sao Paulo are dragging behind unlikely leaders Botafogo.
Sunday 16 July
Botafogo 19/20 | Draw 2/1 | Bragantino 11/4 (02:00)
Opening up the weekend is log leaders Botafogo, who play host to Red Bull Bragantino in Rio de Janeiro. After their shock Copa Paulista loss, Bragantino failed to find the back of the net for a second successive fixture, drawing 0-0. It’s now one win in five away from home, while Botafogo has registered an eight-game win streak, conceding once in just as many on home soil. Back the home team.
Cruzeiro 6/10 | Draw 49/20 | Coritiba 42/10 (16:00)
The odds might be enticing on the home side, but I would advise on the side of caution. While Cruzeiro has kept three successive clean sheets, finding goals has been scarce. Under 2.5 is the market to consider.
Fluminense 7/4| Draw 2/1 | Flamengo 14/10 (21:0)
After winning back-to-back leagues in 2019 and 2020, and finishing runners up in 2021, last season’s stumble seems to have put a pep in Flamengo’s step. They trail the log leaders by just 10 points as we approach the halfway mark and the second-best goal difference in the league is a marker of their quality output. Back the away side at healthy odds.
Fortaleza 6/10 | Draw 47/20 | Cuiaba MT 42/10 (21/10)
After 14 league games, Fortaleza has yet to lose a home fixture this season – winning four and drawing three. Banker the home team to find another win.
Sao Paulo 13/20 | Draw 22/10 | Santos 44/10 (21:00)
Backing Sao Paulo may seem easy on paper, but the recent fight back by Santos to defeat Goias 4-3 leaves a little hesitation in my pick. Alternatively, the home team has won over 6.5 corners a game this season, much above the league average.
Atletico PR 6/10 | Draw 24/10 | Bahia 42/10 (23:30)
Atletico PR must find a replacement striker very soon, after losing Vito Roque to Barcelona mid-season. Although he doesn’t match up to Roque’s 15 goals netted this season, 31-year-old Pablo will fill his boots for the time being. Back the home team to continue with business as usual.
Internacional 39/20 | Draw 19/10 | Palmeiras 27/20 (23:30)
Both Internacional and Palmeiras are in a rough patch of form. The home side has failed to find the back of the net in successive fixtures, while Palmeiras struggle to find three points in a fourth straight match. The draw is looking the likely outcome.
Tuesday 18 July
Goias 34/10 | Draw 21/10 | Atletico MG 8/10 (01:00)
Closing out the gameweek 15 fixtures, 17th-placed Goias welcomes an out-of-sorts Atletico MG. Five straight games without a win for the away team, and a crushing 90th-minute penalty to lose 4-3 for Goias, including a suspension for their best player, Guilherme Marques, means just as difficult times for the home side. Draw No Bet in favour of the away team should be a safe enough play.
TREBLE @ 6/1
Botafogo Win 19/20
Flamengo Win 14/10
Fortaleza Win 6/10
