Avai vs Goias Predictions, Betting Tips and Match Previews

Thursday’s Brazilian Serie B action features an exciting looking clash between Avai and Goias. Plenty of action is expected at both ends of the pitch as each side chases the 3 points.

Avai have made a fairly strong start to the campaign as they look to bounce back to Serie A at the first time of asking, following relegation last season. Leão da Ilha are amongst the early pace-setters and lie 2nd at the time of writing after claiming 22 points from 13 matches.

Nonetheless, performances levels have dipped somewhat over the last couple of weeks, with a weekend 1-0 defeat away at Oeste following a poor 3-3 home draw with Guarani, in which defensive frailty saw the side blow a 2-0 lead. Overall, Avai have now won just 2 of their last 6 matches and will want to return to winning ways sooner rather than later to avoid losing the early momentum they had been generating.

They’ll certainly face a difficult task as regards doing that however, with the ever-improving Goias in town. Verdão picked up just 2 points from their opening 7 Serie B matches but are really starting to turn things around now, with boss Ney Franco having settled into the job impressively.

Franco came into the dugout at the beginning of May and whilst it took him a few games to settle he now has his team playing in impressive fashion, winning 4 of the last 6 games and arriving 4 matches unbeaten after a 2-1 home win over CRB last Wednesday; a result that lifted the visitors out of the drop zone.

Ultimately, whilst the two teams are at opposite ends of the table, this should be a close match. Avai have not been all that convincing over their last couple of outings, whilst Goias are clearly improving and getting over their poor start.

One thing that does looks certain about this game is that there will be plenty of excitement. Both teams play with attacking styles and as such, we are more than happy to back both nets being hit with full confidence.

6 of Avai’s last 8 home games have seen goals at both ends, with an average of 3.37 goals per game on display, whilst both teams have found the net in each of Goias’ last 8 fixtures in Serie B, with an average of 2.62 goals a game on show. All things considered, a 2-2 draw could well be on the cards and that was the exact scoreline when Avai hosted Goias earlier on in the year in the Brazilian Cup.