Bitesize Prediction: Botafogo SP vs Criciuma – 18/07/23

Competition: Brazil Serie B

Market: Both teams to score – No

Odds: 8/11 @ 1xBet

Looking to lay down another marker in the early hours of Tuesday and extend on their promotion charge, Criciuma willl travel to Santa Cruz when they meet an inconsistent Botafogo SP.

Starting with the hosts, crashing back down to earth last week with a nightmare 3-0 drumming away at Ceara, it is no secret that Botafogo are still seeking some much-needed stability since opening the 2023 campaign. Although Adilson Batista’s men might be cruising their way to second-tier safety after making their Serie B return this season, the Sao Paulo-based outfit have won just a pair of their previous eight appearances – a run that stems back to a 1-0 victory against Mirassol on May 23rd. Almost sat in Serie B limbo, the Panthers have also mustered only a single win from their last four battles at Santa Cruz. With that hometown rut highlighted by another 3-0 defeat at the hands of Vila Nova last month, Batista will have a growing headache over his side’s attacking struggles on either side of June’s international break. Along with drawing a blank in five of their previous seven second-tier showdowns, Tuesday’s hosts have also failed to record more than a single strike over the past two months.

As for the visitors, while Criciuma might have been disappointed after only collecting a single point at home against Guarani last time out, the Tigers are enjoying what has been a real Serie B purple patch this season. Gaining a string of plaudits from across Brazil’s second-tier since opening the 2023 campaign, Claudio Tencati’s men find just their goal difference keeping them off top spot. Unbeaten in each of their last six straight appearances – a run that stems back to a 1-0 defeat at the hands of Juventude on June 8th – Tuesday’s guests will be desperate to make another statement here. Continuing to impress on their travels this season and mustering 10 points from their last four matchups outside of Santa Catarina, it should also be noted that Criciuma have shipped just a single goal on that four-match unbeaten run away from Heriberto Hulse. With the two sides playing out a 0-0 stalemate when they last met back in September 2021, we are expecting what could be another low-scoring affair here.

Bet: Both teams *not* to score at Botafogo SP vs Criciuma 8/11 for Tuesday’s Serie B battle @ 1xBet