Brazil Serie A Prediction: Outright Ante-Post Betting Preview

The 2025 Brazil Serie A campaign returns at the end of March and our very own South American football expert Nathan Joyes is back to provide his insight, knowledge and best ante-post selections for the competition.

Last season, Botafogo won the title on the final day of the season as Palmeiras fell short, and while they’ve thrown money at their re-build, they are other teams that look set to have a strong campaign.

• Brazil Serie A Outright Tip 1: Flamengo to win the title
• Brazil Serie A Outright Tip 2: Internacional to win the title (E/W)
• Brazil Serie A Outright Tip 3: Internacional top six finish
• Brazil Serie A Outright Tip 4: Corinthians top six finish

Brazil Serie A Prediction 1: Bank on a Filipe Luis masterclass

Brazil Serie A, March 29th, 20:00 (UK)

Brazil is back and we have arguably the most intriguing season ahead of us. Botafogo secured their first league title in 29 years, but much has changed at the Nilton Santos and the Rio based club might have to settle for an average campaign. Head over to my Copa Libertadores column to find out more about their off-season.

Palmeiras haven’t messed around since they fell at the final hurdle. Having spent over $100m, it would be foolish to write them off claiming their title back. But for all the talent they have brought in – including Atletico Mineiro’s Paulinho and Barcelona’s Vitor Roque – they are set to lose arguably their biggest talent of all time at the end of June.

Estevao is on his way to Chelsea, and having scored 13 league goals and contributed nine assists last campaign at the age of 17, it’s going to be a very hard job to replace him.

Facundo Torres has been brought in from Orlando City, while Bragantino’s captain Lucas Evangelista has arrived a week before the season begins. All players mentioned are serious talents for this level – and they’ll be right up there come the end of the season – but bedding all these players in – and keeping them happy – is a tough task Abel Ferreira is presented with.

A manager that has won it all, yet a manager that has proven very stubborn in recent years, this is either going to be a monumental season for Palmeiras or one of serious disappointment. Either way, there’s a lot of pressure on them to succeed.

Prepped and Ready

However, one team that looks to have it all together before a ball has been kicked is Flamengo. Admittedly, they are the favourites by 0.5 points, but for once they head into a season prepped and ready from the beginning.

Flamengo famously start their campaigns slowly – which has resulted in manager changes very early on – and then left trailing behind and chasing teams rather than laying down a marker.

Yet everything appears to be different this time round. Former player Filipe Luis was promoted from the under 20 squad after Tite departed towards the end of last season – and Luis has set the tone ever since.

Flamengo have lost just one of their 24 matches under their new boss, who has picked up three trophies in less than six months. Winning the Copa do Brasil title was arguably his best achievement, but Flamengo also won the Carioca at the expense of arch-rivals Fluminense last week.

As mentioned, Flamengo have fallen flat on their face in the Carioca over the last couple of years – delivering mediocre performances that have angered the fans from the beginning. Yet Luis has implemented his style of play and both the players – and fans – have bought into it.

Calm, Together and Confident

Admittedly, there’s a lot of pressure every time Flamengo take to the pitch. But under Luis, they’ve looked calm, together and confident in the final third. Not to mention the amount of talented players they have within the squad; Leo Ortiz, Nicolas de la Cruz, Georgian de Arrascaeta, Luiz Araujo, to name a few. But their hopes normally depend on forward Pedro, who has been one of the best strikers in South America for quite some time.

Last season, the Brazilian scored 30 goals in 2024 until he did his ACL on international duty. Sadly, their star striker remains sidelined, but is expected to be back in the next month or so. If he returns and finds his feet, he could be the missing piece to help Luis claim another title.

In the meantime, Flamengo haven’t been as erratic in the market as Palmeiras, but they have signed Qarabag’s forward Juninho. The 28-year-old scored 20 league goals in the 23/24 season, and has scored eight Champions League goals from his last 12 appearances.

With Luis at the helm, Flamengo seem to be together and for once, they look to be worthy favourites to win the title.

• Brazil Serie A Outright Prediction 1: Flamengo to win the title
• Best Odds: 4.50
• Bookmaker: bet365
• Stake: 10/10

Brazil Serie A Prediction 2: Inter must make the most of their current squad

If Flamengo were to fall short, my Copa Libertadores outright selection can’t be ignored, either. Internacional have the squad capable of challenging for a trophy this season, and with the vast majority of the squad sticking together, they must make it count before it’s too late.

The first couple of months last season were a disaster for Internacional. Horrific flooding hit the south of Brazil and Inter were one of the three teams impacted. Their schedule was all over the place, certain players decided to move on and the team had to play their home games elsewhere temporarily.

But something wonderful came out of a terrible situation. Once Internacional were able to return to their stadium and training ground, they rallied as one under Roger Machado. Between August – November, his side went 16 matches unbeaten and found themselves in 3rd place with an outside chance of winning the title.

Sadly it all caught up with them, as they lost their last three matches and finished 5th. But with a full pre-season behind them, as well as beating fierce rivals Gremio in the Gaucho final, Internacional look ready to compete.

As mentioned in my Copa Libertadores 2025 preview, Internacional have quality throughout their squad. A centre-back with Champions League experience, a captain with some of the best technical skills in the league and two forwards who regularly start for their respective nations, there’s so much to like about Machado’s squad.

Can they challenge for the title? There’s certainly no reason why not if they continue their good form from the end of last season. Inter have a great head coach, a talented squad and a home stadium where 50,000 fans can make it very intimidating for visiting teams. Inter certainly have my vote to have a strong campaign.

• Brazil Serie A Outright Prediction 2: Internacional to win the title E/W
• Best Odds: 8.00
• Bookmaker: bet365
• Stake: 10/10

Brazil Serie A Prediction 3: Misprice leads to bet of the year

I’ve sang about Internacional in this column, as well as my Copa Libertadores column, but this complete misprice from the bookmakers means there’s even more words to be said about Roger Machado’s side.

Priced at 1.80 to finish in the top six – as well as 2.37 to end up in the top four – represents outrageously good value. Before the markets went live, I had this down as 1.44, but the fact it’s almost double means it could be my largest stake of the year.

Somehow, Botafogo are shorter which has created the value – but it’s clear that the bookmakers haven’t done their research when it comes to their situation. Cruzeiro and Sao Paulo will try to compete, but the former showed that money doesn’t always work in their state cup matches, while Sao Paulo’s away form is always what holds them back.

With Flamengo and Palmeiras heading to the Club World Cup, Internacional could even close the gap at the top of the table, and it would be a major disaster for them to fall outside of top six. The price is baffling.

• Brazil Serie A Outright Prediction 3: Internacional top six finish
• Best Odds: 1.80
• Bookmaker: bet365
• Stake: 10/10

Brazil Serie A Prediction 4: Corinthians can continue to shine

Another team that should comfortably finish in the top six is Corinthians. Unbeaten at home since June 2024, Timao rallied from relegation rivals to almost qualify for the Copa Libertadores – and this season they can qualify automatically.

At present, their combination of Rodrigo Garro, Memphis Depay and Yuri Alberto is the best attacking trio in the league. Alberto picked up the golden boot last campaign, and Depay has proven he is simply too good for this level – yet he’s bought into the culture and is loving his football at Corinthians.

My only doubt as to whether or not Corinthians can sneak into the top four is based on their financial situation off the pitch – which isn’t in the best place – and whether or not Yuri Alberto will be on the move during the European summer transfer window.

Still, they were remarkable last season – and have been fantastic in the Paulista, picking up where they left off. The price, once again, should be much closer to 1.50 or shorter, and it’s likely to see Corinthians competing with the big guns.

• Brazil Serie A Outright Prediction 4: Corinthians Top Six Finish
• Best Odds: 26.00
• Bookmaker: bet365
• Stake: 5/10

Copa Libertadores Predictions odds via bet365 as at 18:00, March 24th, 2024. Odds may now differ.

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