Brazilian Serie A
2009-08-05 - Avai vs Santo Andre
A Sports Betting Pick by Merlin
Football: Brazil, Serie A
Venue: Estádio da Ressacada, in Florianopolis
Wednesday 5th August 2009 at 9.00pm (local) 1am (GMT)
AVAI (10th - Home rec 3-3-2 13:11)
Avai have been a revelation since gaining promotion last season. They are currently positioned tenth in the league of the Brazilian elite and can in fact improve upon that by the seasons end.
Avai are now officially the best team and the darlings to boot of Florianopolis in Santa Catarina (to the dismay of Figueirense).
They are unbeaten in the last 6 games and their latest draw away to Corinthians, and before that the thrashing they gave Goais signals they plan to stay in Serie A for quite more than 1 season (although they have been in the top flight before when it was the old, First Division).
Their coach modestly commented on Sunday that he would be happy if the team consolidated their promotion but I think modesty is the watchword and he knows he has a good team to hand.
AVAI League Stats :
LEAGUE POSITION: 10th/20
Games played: 16
Wins: 6
Losses: 5
Draws: 5
Away Wins: 3
Home Wins: 3
Red Cards: 3
Yellow Cards: 37
Goals Scored: 23 (from 202 shots/headers on target)
Goals Conceded: 19
Passing Errors: 27.56%
SANTO ANDRE (14th - Away Rec : 2-2-3 9:11)
Santo Andre were also promoted to Serie A last season and are in fact a kinda acceptable 14th. However, this actually doesn't tell the full story as they are really under the hammer right now.
They replaced their coach last week; the new appointment couldn't even steer them to a home draw against Goais who took all the points. Further, the fans are staying away which has resulted in them recording the lowest crowds in Serie A this year, they really are in trouble. (in all fairness they do have to compete for supporters against the more fashionable and established Sao Paulo teams - besides they were only founded as recently as 1967).
Santo Andre did once win the Brazilian Cup, beating Flamengo in the final, which of course gave them a shot at Copa Libertadores glory - but that was back in 2004.
Sure, we can hope new coach, Alexandre Gallo can get a run going but away to Avai is a tough point of departure.
SANTO ANDRE League Stats
LEAGUE POSITION: 14th/20
Games played: 16
Wins: 4
Losses: 6
Draws: 6
Away Wins: 2
Home Wins: 2
Red Cards: 5
Yellow Cards: 45
Goals Scored: 20 (from 187 shots/headers on target)
Goals Conceded: 24
Passing Errors: 31.31%
THe BETTING VERDICT
This to me looks an all the way win for Avai - no draw cover or exotic cover needed, it's the darlings of Florianopolis to prevail.
Here's why!
I saw Avai play last weekend (OK, it was on the telly) Nevertheless, frankly, I was impressed,they play great football, are well organized and with the current team look to have at least a few years in the top flight.
This Brazilian Serie A league is a grueller and we are not yet at halfway and teams tend to have streaks of form, Avai are in their streak right now whilst Santo Andre are begging the football Gods to give them a break.
BEST BETTING TIP :
It’s AVAI to win at 1.86
