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Boxing Flamengo vs São Paulo Bet Builder Tips and Player Props: Barbosa to strike first in Copa do Brasil final
It’s the first leg of the Copa do Brasil final on Sunday as Flamengo face São Paulo. With Jorge Sampaoli’s side hosting at the Maracana, they’ll hope to utilise their home advantage.
With a Copa Libertadores spot on the line, South American expert Nathan Joyes provides his bet builder for the match.
Bet Builder odds: 3.75
Brazil, Copa do Brasil final, Sunday 17th September 20:00 (UK)
Odds via bet365 as at 15:00, 12th September 2023. Odds may now differ.
Flamengo vs São Paulo Stats: Fla favoured with recent home form
- Under 3.5 goals landed in three of the last five head-to-heads.
- Flamengo beat São Paulo in last year’s Copa do Brasil semifinal.
- Gabriel Barbosa is a man for the big occasion, scoring in last year’s Libertadores final.
- São Paulo has been poor on the road of late, losing five of their six matches.
- Flamengo are currently on a 15-match unbeaten run at the Maracana.
Flamengo vs São Paulo Bet Builder Tips: Tight tussle with slight home advantage
Flamengo to Win
It’s been a rather disappointing campaign for Flamengo. Having been knocked out of the Copa Libertadores in the round of 16 by Paraguayan outfit Olimpia, they also require a miracle to win the Serie A title.
However, despite the chaos both on and off the pitch, they have performed admirably in the Copa do Brasil and find themselves with a chance of silverware. The final is held over two legs, so it’s vitally important Flamengo take full advantage of their home tie on Sunday.
At the Maracana, however, Flamengo have been formidable – as they always are. Unbeaten in 15, they welcome a Sao Paulo side which has just been knocked out of the Sudamericana and haven’t won on the road since mid-June. A final may rejuvenate the away team, but there’s been no indication of late, and the pressure is on.
On the other side, Flamengo are winners and know how to grind out results. It won’t be pretty, but the likes of Barbosa, Pedro and Bruno Henrique can get them that all-important advantage.
Under 3.5 Goals
The Maracana pitch has been churned up to the point there’s been no match played on it for over two weeks. However, recent work appears to have sorted it out from the leaked pictures and Flamengo’s passing game, which we saw earlier in the year can return, is certainly an advantage for them.
However, it’s a final and a two-legged one at that. Sao Paulo will want to slow the game down and prevent Flamengo from finding their rhythm as much as possible.
Flamengo will also know they’ll need a clean sheet and to keep it tight at the back. Conceding will make their away trip an uphill battle, which they’ll be looking to avoid.
These two sides met earlier in the season, sharing a 1-1 draw, so expect it to be cagey throughout. This second leg of the bet builder looks to be a safe play in the Copa do Brasil final.
Gabriel Barbosa to Score
Whether or not Gabriel Barbosa reached the heights expected of him, he’s adored by Flamengo fans. The reason? He turns up in the big moments and delivers. The forward stepped in to score the winner in the 2022 Copa Libertadores final as Flamengo beat fellow Brazilians Athletico PR 1-0.
The Brazilian has more than contributed during this year’s Copa do Brasil, scoring four goals – only one less than Pedro on five.
Although Pedro leads the way and is gunning for the Golden Boot, he’s been out of favour with Jorge Sampaoli, and no one knows whether or not he’ll start the final.
Pedro was expected to leave during the last transfer window when a coach was fired for hitting him in the dressing room, and with bad blood between himself and the manager, it’s difficult to recommend him being trusted to lead the line.
If Flamengo are to edge out their opponents on Sunday, they may well rely on their main man, Barbosa, once more to write his own headlines.
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