South American Early Bird Acca Tips: Goals at a premium while leaders can get back on track

Botafogo will look to extend their run at the top of Serie A when Bahia come to town on our bettingexpert South American Early Bird. Before that crucial encounter, we’re diving into Serie B, where Sport Recife hosts Ituano as the home side continues to strive towards promotion.

A quick detour to Uruguay sees Cerro Largo host Nacional in what should be a tight affair. All three fixtures put together a well-rounded South American acca this weekend.

• Sport Recife vs Ituano: Under 2.5 Goals
• Cerro Largo vs Nacional: BTTS No
• Botafogo vs Bahia: Botafogo to win

Acca odds: 3.60

Odds via bet365 as at 14:30, 21st August 2023. Odds may now differ.

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Sport Recife vs Ituano: Tight tussle as home side take another step towards promotion

Brazil, Serie B, Saturday 26th August 2023, 01:30 (UK)

Sport Recife knows that their home form is likely to promote them back to Serie A if they can continue to maintain it. With 31 points from 12 matches at Estadio Adelmar da Costa Carvalho, it’s the best record in the league.

Their opponents, on the other hand, have been rather poor on their travels. With just 10 points from 12 matches, it’s been a significant obstacle as to why they haven’t progressed. Scoring away from home has also been a huge downfall for Ituano, scoring just eight across the 12 matches.

However, their overall form of late has been competitive; taking nine points from their last five, including scoring seven goals and conceding just three, have helped keep them away from the relegation zone.

There’s no surprise to see Sport Recife edging that form with 10 points from their last five, although they’ve only found the net on five occasions and have conceded just three.

A 1-1 draw between these sides back in May indicates Ituano can be competitive against one of the league’s best teams. The fact Sport Recife doesn’t often blow teams away, while Ituano has only scored three in their last five away games, indicates a close encounter.

With that in mind, as we did two weeks ago, it’s worth backing under 2.5 match goals when Sport Recife are at home.

• Selection: BTTS No
• Best Odds: 1.70
• Bookmaker: bet365
• Stake: 8/10

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Cerro Largo vs Nacional: No thrills and spills in season’s second round tie

Uruguay, Primera Division, Saturday 26th August, 22:00 (UK)

Next up is a first trip to Uruguay for my column, with the domestic action back underway. If it’s glitz and glamour you want from this tipping article, you should have known by the first selection you’d be disappointed.

But we’re here for winners, and I’m sticking with my tried and tested methods. Both these teams shared rather drab 0-0 draws in their opening weekends – and one which may not change into the second round.

Nacional are now out of the Libertadores, and we may see a few first-team regulars start, which didn’t against Liverpool in their opener. However, there isn’t one attacking Nacional player currently in any form, and after the disappointment of losing to Boca on penalties, confidence isn’t higher, either.

Throughout the 90 minutes against Liverpool, they only found the target twice – one per half, which was somewhat concerning for the Uruguayan giants.

Cerro Largo also drew 0-0 away to River Plate and, despite a red card for the home side with 20 minutes left on the clock, failed to make their advantage count. It was another dire game, and teams are still getting back up to speed after the break.

Both these sides met back in July, where Nacional edged Cerro Largo 1-0 at home in the Primera Division, a game which was more about the yellow cards than the football itself. Eight were issued on that occasion and could prove a nice side selection for those who prefer their bets to be a little busier.

Under 2.5 match goals have landed in seven of their last ten head-to-heads. It’s also landed in their six meetings. It won’t be a match which will stop you from drifting off in front of the TV on Saturday evening, but it’ll hopefully take the acca to the final leg.

• Selection: Under 2.5 Goals
• Best Odds: 1.65
• Bookmaker: bet365
• Stake: 7/10

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Botafogo vs Bahia: League leaders to continue courageous home performances

Brazil, Serie A, Sunday 27th August 2023, 20:00 (UK)

Bahia hammered Bragantino 4-0 last weekend as they continued their fine form at home. However, on the road, it’s been a completely different story. With just one away victory to their name after ten matches, a trip to the league leaders isn’t ideal. It’s also worth noting that away victory came to Vasco during their poor run of form and when they were playing behind closed doors.

Botafogo fought well to see out a 0-0 away to Sao Paulo, extending their unbeaten run to 17 in all competitions. They haven’t lost at home in Serie A this season. They’ve won all ten matches, scoring 23 and conceding just three.

After a rare error from goalkeeper Lucas Perri, Botafogo fought back from a goal down when last at home against Internacional. Emerging as 3-1 winners showed what they are made of and why they are 11 points clear. Even without their star striker, Tiquinho Soares, Botafogo were capable of finding the back of the net.

Diego Costa made his debut away to Sao Paulo, and although he couldn’t find the back of the net, he blew off a few cobwebs ahead of his home debut against Bahia.

These two sides met earlier in the season, and Botafogo secured a 2-1 victory – one I’m sure they’d love to replicate on Sunday.

They have opened up at 1.75, which is an incredible price and one I am willing to put down as my sole tracked selection this week.

• Selection: Botafogo to win (TRACKED BET)
• Best Odds: 1.75
• Bookmaker: bet365
• Stake: 8/10

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