Early Bird Tips for South America: A trio of Brazilian selections served up

Our South American expert Nathan Joyes has located three South American early bird tips in Serie A this week.

Gremio will look to hunt down Botafogo (who Nathan has tipped in this week’s Expert’s Acca) in first place, while goals are on the agenda at the foot of the table. Without further ado, let’s take a look.

• Gremio vs Athletico PR: Gremio Win
• Internacional vs Santos: BTTS Yes
• Coritiba vs Palmeiras: BTTS Yes

Acca odds: 7.80

Early Bird Tips for South America Odds via bet365 as at 10:30, 16th October 2023. Odds may now differ.

Gremio vs Athletico PR: Suarez and co to make it five on the spin

Brazil, Serie A, Wednesday October 18th, 23:00 (UK)

Gremio’s superb season back in Serie A isn’t over just yet – and they have an outside chance of scooping the title. Four home wins on the bounce has seen them climb to third in the table, ahead of Palmeiras, Flamengo and Fluminense.

Luis Suarez is continuing to age like a fine wine, scoring nine league goals as well as contributing six assists. The 36-year-old continues to prove invaluable in the latter stages of his career.

Recent home wins over Fluminense and Palmeiras catch the eye, and while their tie with Athletico PR presents another tricky fixture, they have an advantage before a ball is kicked.

This is because Vitor Roque, who has scored 11 league goals, is currently sidelined due to an injury. Contributing around 30% of their goals is a huge loss, and in their first match without him, they lost 2-0 away to Coritiba.

Having only collected 12 points on the road, they’ve only picked up two away victories all season.

Gremio’s current form as a whole isn’t anything to shout about, but with the third-best form at home in the league, they should brush aside a weakened Athletico side midweek.

• Selection: Gremio Win
• Best Odds: 1.95
• Bookmaker: bet365
• Stakes: 8/10

Internacional vs Santos: Goals on the menu in surprising relegation scrap

Brazil, Serie A, Sunday October 22nd, 20:00 (UK)

Santos has never been relegated from Serie A, while Internacional almost reached the final of the Copa Libertadores. However, neither is yet safe from relegation in what has been bitterly disappointing campaigns for both domestically.

Out of nowhere, Santos has picked up three wins on the spin. More impressively, two have been away from home of late, where previously they’d won one in the whole of 2023.

Last weekend, they surprised everyone with a 2-1 victory over Palmeiras, having previously hammered relegation rivals Vasco 4-1 at home.

Marcos Leonardo has been at the heart of it, and the 20-year-old now has 12 league goals this campaign. Only Botafogo’s Tiquinho Soares has more. He’s simply unplayable at the moment, and Internacional will have their work cut out to prevent him from scoring for a fourth match in a row.

Internacional won the bragging rights when defeating rivals Gremio 3-2 last weekend, but it’ll be a concern for the home side they conceded from their only two shots on target.

Scoring hasn’t been an issue, firing eight in their last five home matches. Enner Valencia has been their saving grace since coming in the last transfer window.

With two strong attacks and vulnerable defences, it’ll be a miracle if either of these sides manages to keep a clean sheet.

• Selection: BTTS – Yes
• Best Odds: 2.00
• Bookmaker: bet365
• Stakes: 8/10

Coritiba vs Palmeiras: Champions to continue to falter

Brazil, Serie A, Sunday October 22nd, 22:30 (UK)

Only a handful of teams haven’t changed their manager in 2023, and Palmeiras are one of those. However, Abel Fereira needs to steady the ship if he’s to convince the board he’s the right man for the job.

Winless in five, Palmeiras were not only knocked out of the Copa Libertadores on penalties but a shock 2-1 defeat to rivals Santos last weekend also wasn’t in the script.

The current champions are continuing to show defensive frailties we haven’t ever associated with Fereira’s side. A free kick and long ball were not dealt with last week, which ultimately cost Palmeiras vital points – and potentially the title.

While Palmeiras continue to fall from grace, Coritiba are, at long last, showing some fight. A 2-1 away victory against Atletico MG wasn’t in the script, but their second win on the bounce lifted them off the foot of the table.

With 12 matches to go, they are still eight points from safety, but they’ve scored in seven of their last eight matches. Clearly, they are still as fragile as ever at the back, but goals are cropping up across the team. They lost 3-1 away to Palmeiras in the reverse leg but will take confidence from finding the back of the net and their recent poor form.

A third straight win may be out of reach for the hosts, but finding the back of the net is certainly not.

• Selection: BTTS – Yes
• Best Odds: 2.00
• Bookmaker: bet365
• Stakes: 7/10

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