Bitesize Prediction: Novorizontino vs Ituano – 20/08/24

Competition: Brazil Serie B

Market: Novorizontino win

Odds: 1/2 @ BetUS

Two sides who find themselves battling it out at opposite ends of the Serie B standings, Novorizontino will host local rivals Ituano late on Tuesday night.

Starting with the hosts, while Novorizontino might have suffered real heartbreak last season as they missed out on a Serie A return, Eduardo Baptista’s men are sat in the driving seat to claim a famous top-four finish this time around. Embarking on what has been a sensational second-tier flurry this time around, the former Palmeiras boss finds the mood in his camp at a red-hot high. In fact, along with registering 10 points from their previous four Serie B appearances, they have also not suffered a single defeat from any of their last 11 consecutive matchups. With that purple patch stemming all the way back on June 15th, Novorizontino have also gained a reputation for their success on home soil. It should be highlighted, Tuesday’s hosts are unbeaten in front of their own supporters since the start of May. Knowing that they could climb to the top of the Serie B table here, Baptista’s side should be smelling a golden opportunity in midweek.

As for the visitors, managing to turn a much-needed corner over the past fortnight, Ituano will be desperate to spring a heavyweight upset here. However, although Alberto Valentim’s men might have secured back-to-back Serie B victories for the first time this season, the Railroad have a real battle on their hands in the race to keep hold of their second-tier status. At the heart of a relegation scrap and opening Tuesday’s showdown sat four points adrift of safety, the former Botafogo boss will be bracing himself for a stern examination in midweek. Pencilled in as a real underdog here, Ituano have also gained a reputation for their struggles on the road. Along with losing four of their previous five matchups away from the Novelli Junior, Valentim’s side have remarkably recorded just a single Serie B victory on their travels over the past 12 months. Two sides battling it out at opposite ends of the table, we are backing a home victory here.

Bet: Novorizontino 1/2 to beat Ituano in Tuesday’s Brazil Serie B battle @ BetUS