Bitesize Prediction: Ponte Preta vs Vila Nova – 24/07/24

Competition: Brazil Serie B

Market: Over 1.5 goals

Odds: 1/2 @ Pribet

Hoping to make up some ground in the Serie B title chase, Vila Nova will travel to Ponte Preta in the early hours of Wednesday.

Starting with the hosts, while Ponte Preta might have secured an action-packed 4-2 victory against Mirassol earlier in the month, Nelsinho Baptista’s men came crashing back down to earth last weekend. Eventually slumping to a 1-0 loss at the hands of Paysandu, the one-time Santos boss has seen his inconsistent squad muster just a single victory from any of their previous four Serie B appearances. Almost sat in second-tier limbo, the Sao Paulo-based outfit are also seeking some defensive resolve. Including a 2-0 defeat against Botafogo last month, the Macaca have recorded just two clean sheets from any of their previous 10 outings – a run that stems back to May 21st. Nevertheless, excited to make a return to home soil here, Ponte Preta have continued to shine with their performances at the Moises Lucarelli. In fact, Wednesday’s hosts have won all of their previous four showdowns in front of their own supporters by an aggregate score of 12-5.

As for the visitors, enjoying what has been a real Serie B romp since opening up the 2024 campaign, Vila Nova find themselves scrapping it out at the top of the table. Last seen snatching a 1-1 stalemate at home against fellow title contenders Santos, the Tigers have suffered just a single defeat from any of their previous 10 consecutive appearances – a purple patch that stems all the way back to May 17th. Opening July with a 2-1 victory away at Amazonas, Higo Magalhaes’ men appear to be sat in the driving seat to book a lucrative top-flight return this year. However, although Wednesday’s guests might find the mood in their camp at a red-hot high, the Reds are seeking their own respective stability at the back. It should be noted, Vila Nova have recorded just a pair of clean sheets from any of their last 16 consecutive matchups across all competitions. Likewise, with four of the previous five meetings between Wednesday’s opponents finishing with over 1.5 goals, we are expecting a similar outcome here.

Bet: Over 1.5 goals at Ponte Preta vs Vila Nova 1/2 for Wednesday’s Brazil Serie B matchup @ Pribet