PALMEIRAS v SPORT RECIFE
Sunday 23rd October 2016 – Kickoff: 1700hrs
Football – Brazil – Serie A Betting Tips
Palmeiras currently sit top of the Brazilian Serie A with a four-point lead over second placed Flamengo and they’ll be looking to preserve this valuable cushion when they entertain bottom half outfit Sport Recife at their Allianz Parque in Sao Paulo today.
The hosts are currently enjoying a 14-match run without defeat in the Brazilian top flight and this has helped them to top spot in the division, while their last loss was back in early August when they were defeated 3-1 away at Botafogo.
Since then, Palmeiras have been in very solid form indeed, while their record on home turf stands at an equally solid 10-4-1 30/12 but they will have to make do without their leading goalscorer Gabriel Jesus this evening as he serves a suspension.
Visitors Sport Recife have returned some mixed results in recent weeks as they seem to be stuck in a holding pattern just above the relegation zone in Serie A. Recent wins against Santos and Vitoria have been offset by defeats to Fluminense and Chapecoense (both away from home), while their successes have been largely gained at their Estádio Adelmar da Costa Carvalho.
Away from home, Sport Recife continue to struggle and they’ve now gone six away matches without a win, or recorded just one win from their last 12 on the road – whichever you prefer! Either way, it makes for sorry reading as their away record stands at a poor 2-2-11 10/27.
In addition, Sport Recife have kept just two clean sheets on their travels all season, and have failed to hit the back of the net themselves on no fewer than eight occasions to date.
I was going to back the hosts to cover the -1 asian line, but in view of Jesus’ suspension, I’ll go for the more conservative home win here.
Pick: Palmeiras to win @ 1.44 William Hill
