Football 
Tennis 
Horse Racing 
Boxing Serie A Ante-Post Bets: Brazil's Best Outright Tips and Predictions Have Cruzeiro In Trouble
With ten matches left to play, South American expert Nathan Joyes provided three Serie A ante-post bets and best outright tips and predictions in Brazil’s Serie A, focused explicitly on the Winner and Relegation markets.
As the season rumbles towards a fascinating close with both the race for the Serie A crown and the fight to survive in the top flight very much up in the air, we’ll be updating this introduction section with price moves and the current state of play in the Serie A when the ante-post markets become available after each match day.
Serie A Ante-Post Tips and Predictions in Brazil
- Serie A Ante-Post Tips: Cruzeiro Relegation
- Serie A Ante-Post Tips: Bragantino to Win Serie A
- Serie A Ante-Post Tips: Flamengo to Win Serie A
- Serie A Stats and Facts
- Safer Gambling
Ante-Post Bets in Serie A: Ronaldo’s Club Isn’t Out Of The Woods Yet
At the other wrong of the table, there are at least eight teams who are looking to avoid relegation to Serie B. The market appears to have made its mind up, but here I’ll explain why there’s an outsider which currently represents plenty of value.
Ronaldo (R9) tasted relegation as Real Valladolid’s president last campaign over in Spain – and he may face it as an owner in Brazil this year, too.
His club, Cruzeiro, are one of eight teams in a relegation battle to stay in Serie A. A last-minute winner over Atletico Mineiro at the weekend has put some breathing room between themselves and 17th place – but don’t let that fool you.
Also, it’s seen their price drift from 5.00 to 8.00 – which is rather enticing from a betting point of view, and here’s why.
That was just their second win in their last 14 matches. The other was against Santos – who are looking like they will be the third team to be relegated to Serie B for the first time in their history.
Cruzeiro’s victory over Santos was David Aguirre’s last game in charge of the club – a managerial tenure lasting just 36 days. The timing for Ronaldo’s club to face them was more than ideal.
Yet, with two goals in their last five matches – which includes that own goal vs Atletico MG – is worrying. In fact, they’ve scored just six goals in 14 home league games to date. Both America MG and Cortiba, who are 10 points from safety, have managed to score 14 each.
The lowest scorers in the league will know the vast majority of the league are heading into the final ten matches with something to play for – and it’s hard to see where the goals are coming from. With two relegation spots yet to be filled, Cruzeiro needs to start finding the back of the net – and fast.
There’s pressure on forward Bruno Rodrigues, their top goalscorer with four league goals, but one in his last 15 is far from ideal. They need someone to step up, but playing with a sole striker and with two defensive midfielders isn’t unlocking any attacking flow in the final third.
Away Form Keeping Cruzeiro Afloat
However, Cruzeiro’s away form has kept their heads above water. They were meant to face Fortaleza away on Sunday 29th, but that has been rearranged due to their Copa Sudamericana final.
A trip to Castelao won’t be easy at any point, as Fortaleza has collected 28 points from 14 matches, conceding just 13 goals. The reverse leg finished 1-0 to the Sudamericana finalists.
São Paulo and Botafogo are far from easy matches, while nerve-racking home matches against Bahia and Vasco will almost decide Cruzeiro’s destiny. Both Bahia and Vasco are also in the fight for survival but have grown in confidence in recent weeks, with three wins on the bounce, seeing the former pull clear from the bottom four.
Vasco are occupying the dreaded last spot at present, but their impressive transfer window has given them hope. Striker Pablo Vegetti’s seven goals in 12 appearances, as well as the introduction of Dimitri Payet, has given them a fighting chance.
Priced at 2.75, compared to Cruzeiro’s 8.00, there’s just too much of a gap in price here.
Cruzeiro does sit above both Goiás and Corinthians at the time of writing, but the former has only lost twice in their last ten, while Corinthians arguably have the kindest fixture list – despite their current struggles.
Their overall lack of goals and ability to turn draws into wins is what has kept them close to the bottom four for the vast majority of the season. If this doesn’t change, and there have not been many indications to suggest it will, you’ll find plenty of worse 8.00 outright swings.
- Serie A Ante-Post Outright Tips: Cruzeiro to be Relegated to Serie B (TRACKED BET)
- Best Odds: 8.00
- Bookmaker: bet365
- Stake: 6/10
Ante-Post Bets in Serie A: Bragantino Waiting in the Wings
Surprise package Botafogo leads the way in Serie A, but with them currently priced at 1.10 to lift the trophy, I believe there’s plenty of value with two of the sides in behind.
Red Bull Bragantino may be one of the least popular teams in Brazil due to their energy drink association, but they can’t be ignored as a potential shock Serie A title winner.
Currently seven points behind Botafogo, Bragantino are currently on an eight-match unbeaten run in the league, winning six of those games. Defeating Gremio, Palmeiras and Fluminense in recent weeks have been very eye-catching, to say the least.
Former Rangers manager Pedro Caixinha is the man leading the charge. The Portuguese manager is one of five coaches who has kept his position since the start of the season. Over in Brazil, patience does not exist, but Bragantino’s relatively new owners operate very differently from the rest.
Their patience and long-term, well-thought-out plans in place have allowed the current squad to build relationships on the pitch. By not disrupting the environment, compared to the 15 clubs which have, has clearly been highly beneficial.
The club’s strategy has focused on developing young talent whilst sprinkling experience throughout the squad. With a large majority of the team having played together for a number of years, their relationships on the pitch are coming to fruition this campaign.
Double Digits For Sasha
Striker Eduardo Sasha has been in fine form of late, hitting double digits in the league for the first time since 2019. He’s found his stride at the perfect time – as has 23-year-old Eric Ramires, with three consecutive goals against Palmeiras, Athletico PR and Santos.
Their expressive, high-pressing 4-3-3 formation has been a joy to watch, and with the best league form over the last 20 matches, Bragantino are definitely within a shout. A key fixture against Botafogo in mid-November could see the gap close to four points.
Botafogo, although flying, are currently on their third manager of the season. Sacking Bruno Lage seems to have been the right move, with the Portuguese coach winning just four of his 15 matches.
However, small things haven’t been going their way of late. A 1-1 draw with Athletico PR had to be played over two days due to a lighting issue – the second half played behind closed doors wasn’t ideal.
As a result of the delayed match, Botafogo were unable to face a heavily weakened Fortaleza side this week, and instead, the game will be rescheduled in what is already a busy period.
With 30 points still to be played for, backing the current league leaders at 1.10 is far from a sure thing.
But Bragantino aren’t the only team still within a shout of lifting the Serie A trophy.
- Serie A Ante-Post Outright Tips: Bragantino to win Serie A title (TRACKED BET)
- Best Odds: 11.00
- Bookmaker: bet365
- Stake: 5/10
Ante-Post Bets in Serie A: Flamengo Forming A Less Than Orderly Queue In The Wings
Surprisingly, despite their chaotic season, Flamengo finds themselves nine points behind Botafogo with ten games to play.
Jorge Sampaoli was the second manager to be sacked, but the introduction of Tite has been a breath of fresh air for the club.
Since the former Brazilian coach has been appointed, Fla beat Cruzeiro and Vasco to nil, extending the club’s unbeaten run to six.
The Libertadores holders have been able to put together good runs this campaign, but their inconsistency has cost them. However, Tite has reverted back to playing the squad’s strongest players, whereas Sampaoli clearly had his favourites.
He’s introduced Pedro back into the starting XI, and forward Bruno Henrique has been preferred to the inconsistent Gabriel Barbosa.
With experience across the midfield, including recently called-up Brazilian international Gerson and Chilean Pulgar, Flamengo should have the players and mentality to finish the season strong.
The likes of Ayrton Lucas, Everton Ribeiro and Thiago Maia make them one of the strongest teams in the league. A lack of self-belief, discipline and poor management has seen them fall short this year, but Tite appears to have already instilled confidence within his players.
It won’t be plain sailing, however. They’ve still got plenty of challenging games left. Bragantino, Palmeiras and Fluminense are far from ideal fixtures, but if they are able to carry on the good form and tick off games as they come, they hold every chance of bridging the gap.
It’s safe to say Botafogo are in an unfamiliar situation. They’ll need to show in the next two months that they can handle the pressure. However, one or two defeats, especially against Bragantino, will definitely open up the title race. If they show any signs of slipping up, expect Flamengo to pounce.
It’s an outside shot at best, but I’d rather back Tite’s side at 15.0 than Botafogo at 1.10.
- Serie A Ante-Post Outright Tips: Flamengo to Win Serie A Title (TRACKED BET)
- Best Odds: 15.00
- Bookmaker: bet365
- Stake: 5/10
Brazil Serie A Stats and Facts: Cruzeiro’s lack of goals could prove costly
- Cruzeiro are the lowest goalscorers in Serie A at home
- Currently they have the third worst home form
- The club has won just two from their last 12 league games
- Top goalscorer, Bruno Rodrigues, has just four goals to his name
- Fixtures against Botafogo, Palmeiras, Athletico PR and São Paulo await
November 13-19 is Safer Gambling Week 2023
November 13-19 marks an important date in the calendar. Safer Gambling Week is a significant industry-wide event that aims to shed more light on responsible betting. For more information and advice, head to the bettingexpert Safer Gambling hub or our brief explainer below.
