Santos FC vs. Vasco da Gama Prediction, Match Preview, and Betting Tips, 17 August 2025

Get ready for an intriguing clash in Serie A as Santos FC takes on Vasco da Gama on 17 August 2025 at 20:00. With both teams grappling for points in the lower half of the table, this match promises to be a pivotal encounter.

Santos FC, sitting in 14th position with 21 points, is looking to build on their positive form, having won their last two matches. Coach Cléber Xavier will be counting on the likes of Neymar Jr and top scorer Alvaro Barreal to make an impact. Meanwhile, Vasco da Gama, under the guidance of Fernando Diniz, are desperate to climb out of the relegation zone, currently being 17th with 16 points. They’ve been struggling with no wins in their last five league matches.

A key factor to watch is how Santos’ defense, which has proven leaky, matches up against Vasco’s attack, especially in the absence of their suspended top scorer, Pablo Vegetti. Philippe Coutinho’s form will be critical for Vasco.

The recommended bet for this matchup is both teams to score. With both sides showing attacking intent and defensive vulnerabilities, expect an open and balanced game with potential goals from each side.

Santos FC vs Vasco da Gama Prediction & Betting Tip

Santos FC vs Vasco da Gama Prediction
Betting tip	Odds
Both teams to score: yes	1.93

Hello, my friends. In this match between Santos FC and Vasco da Gama, I think both teams will score. Both sides like to attack and create chances. Their defenses sometimes leave space, so goals from both teams are possible.

Santos at home will push to score, and Vasco da Gama also have good forwards who can find the net. So this match looks open and balanced with chances for goals from both sides. My pick is yes, both teams to score.

Both teams’ recent form suggests an attacking mindset, and with some defensive vulnerabilities evident, this match-up has a high potential for goals from both sides.

Santos FC vs Vasco da Gama Odds

For this upcoming Serie A match, Santos FC are the favorites according to the bookmakers, but the odds reflect that it could still be a balanced game. Here’s a look at the betting odds:

Santos FC vs Vasco da Gama Betting Odds
Bet	Odds
Santos FC	1.93
Draw	3.34
Vasco da Gama	3.94

The betting odds provide a clear picture: Santos FC is slightly favored to win, but Vasco da Gama’s potential for victory shouldn’t be underestimated.

Santos, buoyed by recent form and home advantage, are backed with odds of 1.93. A draw is priced at 3.34, recognizing the tight nature of previous encounters. Vasco da Gama, despite their struggles, have odds of 3.94, reflecting their capacity to cause an upset.

Expect an engaging match with both teams having enough firepower to alter the course of the game.

Santos FC Team Analysis

Santos FC Recent Performance

Santos FC has shown some promise in their recent performances, registering two wins, one draw, and two losses in their last five matches. A breakdown of these results includes a solid 2-1 victory away to Cruzeiro and a convincing 3-1 home win against Juventude. However, they also experienced a disappointing 3-0 loss to Mirassol and a narrow home defeat against Internacional.

Recent Form Snapshot

• Cruzeiro 1 – 2 Santos FC (Win)
• Santos FC 3 – 1 Juventude (Win)
• Sport Recife 2 – 2 Santos FC (Draw)
• Santos FC 1 – 2 Internacional (Loss)
• Mirassol 3 – 0 Santos FC (Loss)

Performance Metrics

• Average Goals Scored (Last 5 games): 1.60
• Clean Sheets: 0

Key Points

• Recent form: WLDWW
• Average goals scored in the last 5 games: 1.60
• Clean Sheets: None in the last five matches

Santos FC’s attacking prowess is evident from their average of 1.60 goals per game over the last five matches. Nonetheless, their defense has struggled, conceding multiple goals and failing to keep a clean sheet in this period. This mix of a potent attack and shaky defense is something they will need to address against Vasco da Gama.

Santos FC Key Players

Santos FC will be relying heavily on their key players to make an impact in this vital Serie A clash. The team’s attack will be led by Alvaro Barreal, their top scorer with five goals this season. His partnership with Neymar Jr, who has been increasingly influential, will be crucial for breaking down Vasco da Gama’s defense.

Given Santos’ expected lineup, here’s what to watch for on the pitch:

• Goalkeeper: Gabriel Brazão
• Defenders: Mayke, Luisão, Gil, João Souza
• Midfielders: Ze Rafael, Gabriel Bontempo, Neymar Jr
• Wingers: Alvaro Barreal, Guilherme Augusto
• Forward: Tiquinho Soares

Key individual battles could feature Neymar Jr vs Vasco’s right-back Paulo Henrique, and Alvaro Barreal against their center-backs, Mauricio Lemos, and Lucas Freitas. How these duels play out will significantly influence the match’s outcome.

Expect to see Santos utilising their attacking midfield strength, with Neymar pulling the strings and Barreal pushing forward, aiming to exploit any defensive lapses from Vasco da Gama.

Santos FC Suspensions & Injuries

Santos FC will be missing a couple of key players due to injuries, which could impact their performance.

• Willian Arão: The defensive midfielder is struggling with a calf injury, and his return is doubtful for this match. His absence could weaken Santos’ midfield stability.
• João Basso: The centre-back has a thigh injury and is also unlikely to feature. This could leave Santos’ defense somewhat vulnerable, considering their recent struggles to keep clean sheets.

On a positive note, there are no suspensions affecting Santos FC for this match, which allows coach Cléber Xavier to field his strongest available lineup.

These injuries, however, mean that Santos will need to rely on squad depth and the available talent to plug these gaps effectively against Vasco da Gama. Expect players like Ze Rafael and Gabriel Bontempo to step up in the midfield, while the defense will need to be particularly alert.

Santos FC Tactics and Formation

Santos FC Tactics and Formation Breakdown:

• Formation: 4-2-3-1
• Attacking Focus: Key players include Neymar Jr as the attacking midfielder and Alvaro Barreal on the right wing.
• Midfield Combination: Ze Rafael and Gabriel Bontempo form the defensive midfield duo, providing both defensive cover and transitional play.
• Defensive Setup: The back line is anchored by the center-back pairing of Luisão and Gil, with Mayke and João Souza as the full-backs.

Santos’ approach often involves leveraging their attacking midfield strength, with Neymar Jr orchestrating play. They are known for scoring late goals, especially in the 76-90 minute interval, but their defense has been vulnerable during this same period, conceding frequently.

This formation allows Santos to push forward with width and creativity while maintaining a solid midfield presence. Their tactical setup will focus on exploiting any defensive lapses from Vasco da Gama, especially given the latter’s recent struggles.

Vasco da Gama Team Analysis

Vasco da Gama Recent Performance

Vasco da Gama has had a challenging recent run in the Brasileirão, managing two draws, two losses, and just one win in their last five matches. Here’s a quick snapshot:

• Vasco da Gama 1 – 1 Atletico MG (Draw)
• Vasco da Gama 3 – 1 CS Alagoano (Win)
• Mirassol 3 – 2 Vasco da Gama (Loss)
• CS Alagoano 0 – 0 Vasco da Gama (Draw)
• Internacional 1 – 1 Vasco da Gama (Draw)

Performance Metrics

• Average Goals Scored (Last 5 games): 1.40
• Clean Sheets: 1

Key Points

• Recent form: DDLWD
• Average goals scored in the last 5 games: 1.40
• Clean Sheets: One in the last five matches

Vasco has struggled to secure wins, extending their winless streak to five matches in the league. Despite generating chances and showing flashes of brilliance, their defensive issues and inability to close out games have been concerning. Their sole clean sheet in the last five matches highlights a need for stronger defensive performances to support their attack, especially with Pablo Vegetti suspended for this match.

Vasco da Gama Key Players

Vasco da Gama will be looking to their key players to turn their fortunes around in this crucial match against Santos FC. With top scorer Pablo Vegetti suspended, the weight of the attack will likely fall on the shoulders of Philippe Coutinho and Rayan Vitor.

Given Vasco’s expected lineup, here’s what to anticipate on the pitch:

• Goalkeeper: Leo Jardim
• Defenders: Paulo Henrique, Mauricio Lemos, Lucas Freitas, Lucas Piton
• Midfielders: Tchê Tchê, Hugo Moura, Philippe Coutinho
• Wingers: David, Nuno Moreira
• Forward: Rayan Vitor

Key individual battles could feature Coutinho against Santos’ defensive pairing of Luisão and Gil, and Rayan Vitor facing off against their full-backs.

Coutinho, known for his creativity and vision, will be crucial in breaking down a somewhat vulnerable Santos defense. Meanwhile, Rayan Vitor will aim to capitalize on any lapses. The absence of Vegetti could be a significant hurdle, so the performance of these replacements will be critical for Vasco.

Vasco da Gama Suspensions & Injuries

Vasco da Gama is dealing with several suspensions and injuries ahead of their crucial clash against Santos FC, which could significantly impact their lineup and overall strategy.

• Pablo Vegetti: The team’s top scorer is suspended due to an accumulation of yellow cards. His absence will be a substantial blow to Vasco’s attacking options and goal-scoring capability.
• Adson: The midfielder is out with a broken leg and is expected to return in late October 2025.
• GB: Suffering from a thigh injury, he is potentially returning in late August 2025.
• Guilherme Estrella: The player is sidelined with a knee injury, with a potential return in early September 2025.

These injuries and suspensions could weaken Vasco’s defensive and midfield structure, making it essential for coach Fernando Diniz to adapt and rely on squad depth. The absence of their top scorer Vegetti means that other forwards like Rayan Vitor will need to step up and deliver in this challenging fixture.

Vasco da Gama Tactics and Formation

Vasco da Gama Tactical Breakdown:

• Formation: 4-2-3-1
• Attacking Focus: Philippe Coutinho as the attacking midfielder, with David and Nuno Moreira on the wings, and Rayan Vitor as the center forward.
• Midfield Combination: Tchê Tchê and Hugo Moura serve as the defensive midfield pair, essential for both defense and transition play.
• Defensive Setup: Paulo Henrique and Lucas Piton as full-backs, with Mauricio Lemos and Lucas Freitas anchored in central defense.

Vasco da Gama’s tactical approach relies heavily on Philippe Coutinho’s creativity and vision to pierce through the opposition defense. Despite their recent defensive woes, they often show resilience by scoring in 88% of their away games this season. Coach Fernando Diniz’s strategy will likely focus on retaining possession and creating opportunities, especially given Santos’ vulnerability late in the game. However, Vasco’s defense must be vigilant during the 76-90 minute interval, a period in which they tend to concede goals.

Santos FC vs Vasco da Gama Head-to-Head Statistics

Analyzing the recent head-to-head statistics between Santos FC and Vasco da Gama reveals an interesting pattern:

• 30 March 2025: Vasco da Gama 2 – 1 Santos FC
• 1 October 2023: Santos FC 4 – 1 Vasco da Gama
• 14 May 2023: Vasco da Gama 0 – 1 Santos FC
• 20 December 2020: Vasco da Gama 1 – 0 Santos FC
• 3 September 2020: Santos FC 2 – 2 Vasco da Gama

In their last five encounters, both teams have had their moments of dominance. Santos FC claimed a substantial 4-1 victory in October 2023, while Vasco managed a recent 2-1 win in March 2025.

Historically, the matchups have seen a mix of high-scoring games and tight contests, making for an unpredictable showdown.

With key players like Neymar for Santos and Coutinho for Vasco, expect another closely fought encounter with plenty of goalscoring opportunities given their attacking focus and recent form.

Odds accurate as of 15/08/2025 20:01, and are subject to change. Please always check the odds before placing your bets with any bookmaker.