Brazilian Serie A
2009-08-08 - Botafogo vs Atletico Paranaense
A Sports Betting Pick by Merlin
Football: Brazil, Serie A 2009
Venue: Estádio Olímpico João Havelange (The Engenhão),
in Rio de Janeiro
Saturday, 8th August 2009 - Kickoff at 6.30pm (local)
BOTAFOGO (13th - Home Rec : 3-2-1 10:9)
Prior to Thursday nights loss with Sao Paulo, Botafogo were on an unbeaten 7 game roll, don't froth at the mouth too much though as 4 from that roll were draws.
However, most of their draws have been away and today they face a team in Atletico PR who have won only 2 games from the last 7.
Sao Paulo beat the "Big Fire" (Fogão) 3-1, Thursday, hardly surprising as I said a couple previews ago, Sao Paulo will be climbing the league faster than Jacob climbed his ladder - so that loss won't be held against them, besides, Big Fire hasn't won at Morumbi since 1998.
BOTAFOGO League Statistics
LEAGUE POSITION: 13th/20
Games played: 16
Wins: 4
Losses: 5
Draws: 7
Away Wins: 1
Home Wins: 3
Red Cards: 2
Yellow Cards: 40
Goals Scored:24 (from 226 shots/headers on target)
Goals Conceded: 28
Passing Errors: 40.44%
ATLETICO PR (14th - Away Rec : 2-1-5 7:13)
Before Thursday night's 0-2 win at Cruzeiro, Atletico had only won 1 game from 6 - the win would have for sure injected some confidence into for the most part a struggling team.
We musn't however get swept away by the victory, it was after all against an extraordinary low moraled Cruzeiro who are languishing around the drop zone.
It was a scrappy affair with 3 red cards and as usual of late, the Cruz dominated early play to falter big time not only in play but with discipline too.
ATLETICO PR League Statistics
LEAGUE POSITION: 14th/20
Games played: 17
Wins: 5
Losses: 3
Draws: 9
Away Wins: 2
Home Wins: 3
Red Cards: 4
Yellow Cards: 54
Goals Scored: 17 (from 140 shots/headers on target)
Goals Conceded: 29
Passing Errors: 28.76%
THE BETTING VERDICT :
We couldn't put our shirt on any of these, but Botafogo are favourites and deservedly so.
Despite Atletico winning both August games it's pushing the boat to expect a 3rd consecutive victory. Not only that, a quick look back at their few wins this year were against either teams in the doldrums or teams that were at the time, struggling.
I had started to research this preview before Thursday nights games and had all along been favouring Big Fire, and I still believe they will win this.
But Prudence has been ringing in my ears "cover the draw" , "cover the draw". Not forgetting Prudence has a valid point as this season Botafogo have drawn 7 from 16 and Atletico have drawn 9 from 17.
Now either I have developed schizophrenia or it's my aversion to giving the bookies an easy ride kicking in.
Either way, a 1-1 correct score draw cover is in order! Just enough to cover stake and some.
BEST BETTING TIP :
It’s BOTAFOGO straight-up at 1.62 or better!(with 1-1 correct score cover).
