Botafogo vs Audax Italiano Predictions, Betting Tips and Match Previews

Thursday’s Copa Sudamericana first round, second leg action sees Brazilians Botafogo hosting Chileans Audax Italiano. It should be a comfortable evening for the home side, who come into the clash 2-1 up having won the first leg in Chile.

Nonetheless, despite a derby with Fluminense to come, all signs point towards Alberto Valentim picking a full strength team, with ensuring progression the immediate target. Fogo competed in the Libertadores last season, reaching the quarter-finals, and amongst the bigger names in the Sudamericana this year, fans of the team are hoping to see another strong continental showing this time around.

The hosts can be confident of putting together a decent run in the competition and have looked strong so far in 2018. The side managed to lift the Campeonato Carioca earlier on in the year, showing their strength, and have also made a decent start to a tricky opening to the new Serie A season, picking up 5 points from the opening 4 matches. Said feats, along with the earlier win at Audax has spirits high in the camp and those that take to the pitch will be looking for another positive showing.

Meanwhile, things are at polar opposite in Audax ranks, with the Chileans in the midst of a fully blown crisis. Supporters have turned on the team amidst terrible performances so far this year and the situation is no better exemplified than by stating that forward Sebastián Abreu will not take part in this match having been suspended for throwing a table at his own fans in the team’s last home match.

There’s a different man in the Chilean’s dugout for this second leg, as Juan José Ribera came in a day after the defeat in the first leg. Nonetheless, Ribera hasn’t brought about a change in fortunes since taking charge, picking up 2 points from 4 domestic games and this continental match is the last thing on his mind, with Los Tanos firmly in a relegation battle back home, after taking just 7 points from their opening 12 league games.

We tipped Botafogo with success in the first match between the two and once again, there looks to be money to be made in this matchup. It’s a complete mismatch once again, with Botafogo by far the more talented side and arriving with morale at far higher levels than that present in the away camp.

As Audax have failed to score in their last 3 overall, and their last 4 on the road, best value looks to be found in backing the home win to nil. Botafogo should be untroubled by a visiting outfit in dire straits and we think they’ll win the match comfortably, with a 2-0 margin of victory on the cards.