Santa Cruz vs Gremio Predictions, Betting Tips and Match Previews

In terms of the league, there is very little at stake here, so it could have a subdued ‘end of season’ feel to it. Santa Cruz have already been relegated to Serie B and ordinarily would probably be slight underdogs here but Gremio are expected to ring the changes with the 2nd Leg of their Copa do Brasil Final to come in midweek.

The 1st Leg couldn’t have gone much better as they won 3-1 at Atletico Mineiro to put themselves in a very strong position to win the cup. That would also secure them a place in the Copa Libertadores next year so they won’t need to worry too much about improving on their current 8th place in the league. Their back-up players did net 3 goals in a comfortable win over America last weekend though so they shouldn’t be completely underestimated and against a Santa Cruz defence that has conceded 1.75 goals per game, more than any other side in the division, they should get several chances.

For a side that has already gone down, Santa Cruz do possess quite a goal threat though. Strikers Grafite and Keno are both in the top 10 in the Serie A goal-scoring chart and both were on target in a thrilling 3-3 draw with Atletico Mineiro last weekend. There was perhaps an element of Santa Cruz playing with more freedom now they are definitely down and more cynically they probably have a few players who are keen on impressing in these final games to try and secure a move away.

Their matches this season average 2.86 goals per game and this has the potential to be an open contest with Gremio’s back-up players likely to be given licence to get forward and try and punish this poor Santa Cruz defence. Therefore, goals look likely here and you can back over 2.5 goals at 9/10.