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Mixed martial arts Early Bird Tips for South America: Two dominant displays anticipated in Brazil
South American expert Nathan Joyes puts forward his early bird tips for South America in the upcoming midweek fixtures in Brazil’s Serie A and Paraguay’s Primera Division.
With two tracked selections involving relegation candidates Santos and Vasco, an open game between Olimpia and Ameliano can bring home the acca.
- Early Bird tips for Bahia vs Santos: Bahia to Win (TRACKED BET)
- Early Bird tips for Vasco vs Coritiba: Vasco to Win (TRACKED BET)
- Early Bird tips for Olimpia vs Ameliano: BTTS – Yes
Acca odds: 5.00
Odds via bet365 as at 16:00, 17th September 2023. Odds may now differ.
Bahia vs Santos: Manager-less away side need a miracle
Brazil, Serie A, Tuesday 19th September, 00:00 (UK)
After landing two out of three selections last week, it’s time to admit I made poor judgment when it came to Santos. In their home match against Cruzeiro, who hadn’t won in nine, battered them 3-0.
There was no fight, no togetherness, and the whole 90 minutes was a shambles. This was the match to showcase their ability to stay up, and they bottled it.
As a result, Diego Aguirre was sacked. Having lost four out of five matches, he lasted no more than 39 days. This was Santos’ third manager of the season, and this once iconic club is staring at Serie B for the first time in its history.
Santos have no time to feel sorry for themselves. They travel to Bahia with little to no confidence, having won two of their last ten matches. One of those victories was against fellow relegation candidates Goias, where a more than controversial last-minute penalty prevented a 12-match winless run.
On the road, they are winless in 10, losing their last six, conceding 17, and scoring just once. On the other hand, Bahia heads into this after a 4-2 victory away to Coritiba.
They are unbeaten at home in their last five, which includes a 4-0 romp over Bragantino. I can’t resist putting Bahia up as a tracked selection, who I’m sure will shorten closer to kick-off. If they don’t, I suggest you take full advantage.
Vasco vs Coritiba: Rejuvenated home side to claim vital points
Brazil, Serie A, Thursday 21st September, 01:30 (UK)
Vasco have continued their surge towards safety after another promising victory in front of their fans. A 4-2 win over Fluminense sent out a statement to those looking to avoid the drop. However, this wasn’t a one-off. In recent weeks, Vasco have claimed three wins on the spin at home, including two 1-0 victories over Atletico MG and Gremio.
The home side have operated extremely well in the transfer market. Not only have they brought in Dimitri Payet, but Pablo Vegetti has been the most shrewd signing of all.
The 34-year-old Argentine has scored in four of his last six matches, which included a towering header against Fernando Diniz’s Fluminense on Saturday night.
Overall, it’s just one defeat in seven for the newly promoted side – and that defeat was a narrow 1-0 loss to Palmeiras, which can easily be excused.
While Vasco continues to climb towards safety, Coritiba looks destined to drop to Serie B. Seven points from safety, including six defeats on the bounce, shows little to no fight left in them to turn around their fortune.
The manner of the defeats has been massively concerning. In the last six matches, they’ve conceded 17 goals. Out of the 46 goals they have shipped in, they’ve conceded 29 on the road – picking up just five points from 11 matches.
With just one away win this season over relegation rivals Goias, a trip to Estadio Vasco da Gama is far from ideal with their recent resurgence. Home fans have also been allowed to return to the stadium in recent weeks and have more than played their part in creating an incredibly hostile atmosphere.
Vasco’s confidence is sky-high, while Coritiba’s is anything but, which is why the home side is a very confident selection this week.
Olimpia vs Ameliano: Goals on the menu at Manuel Ferreira
Paraguay, Primera Division , Thursday 21st September, 00:30 (UK)
My final selection involves one of Paraguay’s best sides who have failed to impress defensively so far this campaign. Olimpia have struggled to keep the ball out of their net whoever has come to Estadio Manuel Ferreira – a deeply concerning statistic after five home matches.
Within these matches, they’ve scored 11 but conceded nine, including three against Guarani as well as against General Caballero – a side expected to struggle this season.
With their defence conceding left, right and centre, it isn’t ideal timing to receive a visit from Ameliano – a team which has collected 10 points on the road this season, scoring 13 in the process.
Ameliano managed to beat Olimpia 3-1 the last time they visited in May, as well as sharing a 2-2 draw back in March at home.
With Sergio Bareiro, Alejandro Samudio and Elvio Vera all contributing in the final third, the away side will fancy themselves to continue their fine form in the early hours of Thursday morning.
Yet despite Ameliano being strong, Olimpia are far from goal-shy. They’ve scored in every home match this season, including five against Guarani and three vs General Caballero. Everything is stacked up for this to be a goal fest, and backing both nets to ripple will hopefully complete the trio of selections.
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