Reason For Betting Tips
This is an important match in the race for Copa Libertadores places and with the top 3 boasting a healthy advantage on the rest, it looks like it could be between Santos and Fluminense for that 4th place in the league and a place in the 2017 Libertadores. Santos currently occupy it but are only 2 points clear of 5th place Fluminense who are in good form.
Flu have really improved as the season has gone on and it is a bit of a surprise to see them back up competing at the right end of the table, following a 13th place finish last term. They come into this match having won their last 3 in the league and that includes two very impressive 1-0 away wins against Gremio and Corinthians. They effectively killed off any lingering title dreams those two sides might have had with those wins and they’ll be hoping to do likewise to Santos here. They also won an away match at 2nd placed Flamengo earlier in the season ,so they do seem to have a taste for upsetting the stronger teams on the road, although that particular match was played on neutral territory.
The difference here to their two recent scalps is that Santos are not a side in bad form already. They are bidding for a 3rd straight win here and it would give them a significant 5 point advantage on Flu going into the final 9 games. They won’t have completely given up on the title either given they’ve been winning a few games on the road of late, which isn’t always the way with Santos.
At home though, there can be no doubt about what a force they are. They have won an incredible 24 of their last 28 home league games and are bidding for a 4th home win out of 4 in the league in the space of a month following victories over Corinthians, Santa Cruz and Atletico PR.
Fluminense will believe they can get a result given their recent performances but it takes something special to win at the Estádio Urbano Caldeira and given their strong home record, backing Santos to win at 3/4 still looks the best approach here.
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Head To Head
Santos have won the last two meetings including a 4-2 win at Fluminense earlier this season. They’ve also won 3 of their last 5 home games against Flu.
Stats
Santos have dropped points on home soil only 4 times in the last 15 months. There has been 1 goal or less in 6 of Fluminense’s last 7 away games.
Team News
Santos could name the same side that won at the weekend. Vitor Bueno and Gustavo Henrique are still struggling with knocks.
Levir Culpi may be able to name the same eleven for the third game in a row. Midfielder Douglas picked up an injury against Sport but should be ok here.
