Vasco da Gama vs Oriente Petrolero Predictions

• Vasco’s last 10 matches have finished under the 2.5 goal line.
• Vasco have scored just once in their 5 matches so far in 2020.
• 6 of Oriente Petrolera’s last 7 Copa Sudamericana away games have finished with under 2.5 goals.
• Over said fixtures, Oriente have conceded an average of just 0.85 goals a game.

Vasco arrive under big pressure

It’s fair to say Vasco’s start to 2020 hasn’t been the most impressive and the team now start their continental campaign under big pressure from the fans. Abel Braga’s appointment as boss has not gone down well with Vasco supporters and he already finds his future under question, with his troops having won just 1 of their opening 5 matches in 2020, leaving them all but eliminated from the Taca Guanabara.

Most worrying about Vasco’s start to the year is the fact they’ve scored just 1 goal in it, despite 3 of their outings having come against lower league opposition. The side could really do with some additions but financial issues are currently weighing the club down and although they come into this tie against Bolivian opposition as massive favourites, it’s not likely to be as easy for them as many expect, given the way they are currently performing.  

Oriente looking to keep things tight

Meanwhile, as a Bolivian outfit drawn against Brazilian opposition, Oriente Petrolero are clear and obvious underdogs in the tie, given the disparity in resources between the two. Last year, Oriente crashed out at the first hurdle against Colombians Rionegro Aguilas and whilst they’re likely to suffer the same fate this year, if they can stay in the tie prior to the return leg, they could be in with a chance of causing an upset.

With the odds stacked against them in Rio, the visitors will be looking to put men behind the ball and keep the game closed, something they’ve typically done quite well in the past in the Sudamericana. Indeed, Oriente have conceded an average of just 0.85 goals a game over their last 7 trips in it and that does leave them confident in making Vasco’s life difficult.

A low scoring game is expected

Ultimately, this is a match Vasco really should be winning but they’re not likely to do it in easy fashion. Indeed, despite being stronger on paper than Oriente, the hosts aren’t functioning at all well at the moment and their performances from an attacking sense leave a lot to be desired.

All things considered, we see excellent value in backing the Under 2.5 Goals line and feel it’s by far the best way to play as far as the betting is concerned. Vasco’s last 10 matches have all finished with Under 2.5 goals, as have 6 of Oriente’s last 7 Sudamericana away games and we fancy both themes to continue via a narrow and scrappy 1-0 margin of home victory.