BOTAFOGO v SANTOS
Saturday 4th August 2018 – Kickoff: 1600hrs
Football – Brazil – Serie A Betting Tips
Next up is a look at the Brazilian top flight with a bottom half clash in Serie A between hosts Botafogo and relegation candidates, Santos, as my betting tips continue at the Estadio Nilton Santos in Rio de Janeiro.
Although Botafogo sit six league places and four points above fourth from bottom Santos, the hosts come into this encounter having lost four of their last five matches in all competitions after defeats to Corinthians, Flamengo and International in the league, as well as a 2-1 loss away at Nacional Asuncion in the Copa Sudamericana during the week.
However, it’s a return to Serie A action this Saturday and also a return to home turf where Botafogo have performed in solid fashion to date during this campaign, posting an unbeaten record of 4-3-0 9/4 which includes three clean sheets on the trot.
As mentioned earlier, Santos currently occupy fourth from bottom and one of the relegation places ahead of their trip to Rio, and they too come into this encounter having failed to win any of their last seven matches in all competitions.
Even though they picked up points against Palmeiras, Chapecoense and Flamengo in stalemates, a 1-0 loss at home to America Mineiro would have been a big blow, especially as that was America’s first away win of this season.
That defeat was compounded by a Copa do Brasil loss, again at home, to Cruzeiro, so perhaps a road trip might suit them here. Santos are unbeaten in their last three on their travels, which includes a rare 1-0 win at Fluminense amidst an overall away record of 1-2-4 3/10.
The visitors have failed to score in 4 of their 7 away matches to date, and whilst this may be a low-scoring game, my betting tips are expecting Botafogo to at least get a point here.
Pick: Botafogo AH0 @ 1.95 bet365 (odds taken at 10:33 GMT, 04 Aug 2018)
