Early Bird Tips for South America: Back Botafogo and America MG for statement victories in Serie A

Football expert Nathan Joyes has put together his early bird tips for South America.

With a trip to Brazil for two Serie A matches as the league leaders are in action, as well as a detour to Atletico Nacional in the Colombian Primera A on Sunday evening, there’s plenty of value to be had – especially before the European transfer window slams shut.

• Early Bird Tips for Botafogo vs Flamengo: Botafogo Draw No Bet
• Early Bird Tips for America MG vs Santos: America MG Draw No Bet
• Early Bird Tips for Atletico Nacional vs Pereira: Aletico Nacional and Over 1.5 Goals

Acca odds: 6.40

Odds via bet365 as at 12:00, 28th August 2023. Odds may now differ.

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Botafogo vs Flamengo: Injury hit Flamengo to struggle against destined champions

Brazil, Serie A, Sunday 2nd September, 01:00 (UK)

Our early bird tips for South America can only begin with one team. Botafogo are becoming a regulars in this column. However, it’s hard to exclude them, with the market still suggesting they struggle against the other big teams.

Once again, they are not the favourites against Flamengo, who they beat in the Maracana 3-2 back in April with ten men.

Botafogo may be missing Tiquinho Soares, but Diego Costa came up with a brace against Bahia at the weekend and has shown he’s ready to fill the void.

Flamengo drew 0-0 with Internacional at the Maracana, who fielded a weak side as they prepare for their quarter-final second-leg tie vs Bolivar midweek.

What was even more disappointing was not one but two significant injuries in the first half. Giorgian de Arrascaeta and Luiz Araujo will both be out for this all-important clash. Gabriel Barbosa has only scored once in his last seven, and Pedro is unfancied and may well be sold before the end of the week.

One camp is sky-high in confidence, while the other is showing plenty of cracks. Botafogo does have to travel away to Argentina for an important second leg in the Copa Sudamericana – which slightly takes the gloss off this bet. However, Draw No Bet still offers plenty of value for a side yet to lose at home this season.

• Selection: Botafogo Draw No Bet
• Best Odds: 1.95
• Bookmaker: bet365

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America MG vs Santos: Six pointer as transfer window could impact the outcome

Brazil, Serie A, Sunday 2nd September, 22:30 (UK)

America MG ended a run of four consecutive defeats in Serie A with a last-gasp winner against Sao Paulo. The victory still leaves them rooted to the bottom of the table, seven points adrift, although they do have a game in hand.

Despite their poor campaign, there have been a few promising signs of late, despite the lack of consistency. A 1-1 draw against Flamengo at the Maracana, as well as progressing to the final eight of the Sudamericana, has shown they are capable on their day.

America was impressive against Sao Paulo. Using the right channel to their advantage, they showed a real attacking intent that could be used to get out of trouble.

Despite having a man sent off, America MG rallied to find a late winner, showing they still have the fight and determination to save their campaign.

They will have to go to battle without striker Gonzalo Mastriani, who has netted four in nine Serie A matches. He was sent off against Sao Paulo, but with America MG wingers finding their feet down the right-hand side, service shouldn’t be an issue.

However, it could be far worse for the visitors, who have won one and lost eight of their 10 Serie A away matches to date. Having lost their last five away matches, conceding 14, they’ve also only managed to score three on the road all season.

With the European transfer window closing later this week, Santos’ forward Marcos Leonardo has been heavily linked with a move all summer. The third top goalscorer in the league is likely to be sold before the weekend, and without any firepower up top, Santos really are in a relegation battle.

No Leonardo would create severe problems for a side incapable of winning on the road. America MG will have their tails up, and three huge points will blow the relegation battle wide open.

Selection: America MG Draw No Bet
Best Odds: 1.72
Bookmaker: bet365

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Atletico Nacional vs Pereira: Fine home form to continue against powerless Pereira

Colombia, Primera A, Sunday 3rd September, Time (22:00) (UK)

Over in Colombia, Atletico Nacional will look to help round off the early bird tips for our South American acca, who has asserted early dominance in the Primera A sitting joint top. With three home wins from three, they’ll be looking to maintain their 100% record when Pereira comes to town.

The away side has a gruelling trip to Brazil to take on Palmeiras in the Libertadores quarter-final second leg. However, having lost the first leg 4-0, the game is all but done, and it’ll be about damage limitation against the tournament favourites.

After the journey to Brazil, they are quickly back in action against a side who are dominant at home. With five wins on the bounce in all competitions, including scoring at least two in all of those, Pereira are in for a tough week.

So far, the away side has only picked up five points from six matches. On the road, it’s even worse, losing all three matches and yet to find the back of the net.

Atletico Nacional has won four of the last five meetings at home, scoring four-plus goals in all four of those victories. The win is rather short, but an odds-against selection for two or more match goals is rather inviting in what should be a comfortable victory for the home side.

• Selection: Atletico Nacional and over 1.5 match goals
• Best Odds: 2.05
• Bookmaker: Ladbrokes

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