Vitoria vs Santa Cruz Predictions & Betting Tips, Match Previews

These clubs finished only a point off each other in 2nd and 3rd place in Serie B last season to secure promotion to the top flight. For Santa Cruz it marked the end of a decade away from Serie A but it could be a brief stay the way things are going for them. They are only 1 place off the bottom of the league and have lost 4 of their last 5 matches in all competitions coming into this game. They were beaten 2-1 at home by an out-of-form Sao Paulo side last weekend and although they are only 3 points from safety, their situation is still looking quite perilous particularly given 8 of their 18 points came from the opening 4 games.

Vitoria have adapted better to life in the top flight overall but they are also in a worrying run of form that has led to them slipping towards the relegation battle too. They are 14th but have lost 4 of their last 5 games and won only 1 of their last 9. They’ve had some tricky fixtures though in recent times and their last match was away at leaders Palmeiras were they were only beaten 2-1.

What gives them hope where maybe there is none for Santa Cruz is that Vitoria are at least a tough side to beat on their own ground. They’ve only lost 2 of their 9 home games so far and have won 4 matches at the Estádio Manoel Barradas including a victory over defending champions Corinthians.

They’ve scored 24 goals in total which is a respectable return turn and at home against the side 2nd from bottom they will be confident of delivering the goods again on their own ground. Certainly backing Vitoria to Win at 10/11 looks to offer the best value here given Santa Cruz have lost 11 of their last 15 league matches.