Bitesize Prediction: Botafogo SP vs Ituano – 24/10/24

Competition: Brazil Serie B

Market: Botafogo SP win

Odds: 20/21 @ BetUS

In what is a real relegation six-pointer at the foot of the Serie B standings, Botafogo will welcome Ituano to Santa Cruz in the early hours of Thursday.

Starting with the hosts, while Botafogo might have secured a frantic 3-2 win against Guarani earlier in the month, it appears that might have just been a minor boost for Paulo Gomes’ men. Opening up the midweek fixtures holding just a one-point buffer from slipping into the relegation zone, the Sao Paulo-based outfit have drastically failed to find any kind of stability this season. Last seen putting in another worrying performance as they slumped to a 3-1 drumming at the hands of Sport Recife, Botafogo have claimed just a single victory from any of their previous eight consecutive Serie B appearances. However, facing what is a must-win showdowns in the early hours of Thursday, Gomes’ side will take some solace from their rugged success on home soil. In fact, the Panthers have suffered just a sole defeat from any of their last eight appearances at Santa Cruz – a run that stems all the way back to July 13th.

As for the visitors, last seen suffering a dramatic second-half collapse at home against Ceara as they slumped to a 2-1 loss, Ituano are seeking a minor miracle. Travelling to Santa Cruz in midweek sat five points adrift of Serie B safety, it is no secret that Alberto Valentim’s men are pencilled in as a leading relegation contender this season. With time really starting to tick away, the Roosters have lost five of their previous six showdowns against second-tier opposition. Signing off September with a toothless 1-0 defeat against Paysandu, Thursday’s guests have continued to show some glaring issues in the final third. In fact, Ituano have recorded just a pair of Serie B strikes over the past five weeks. It should also be highlighted, along with losing each of their last three straight matchups away from the Novelli Junior by an aggregate score of 4-0, they have also collected just three points from any of their previous six battles on the road.

Bet: Botafogo SP 20/21 to beat Ituano in Thursday’s Brazil Serie B battle @ BetUS