Bitesize Prediction: Sport Recife vs Operario – 17/10/24

Competition: Brazil Serie B

Market: Sport Recife win

Odds: 4/6 @ BetUS

Looking to extend their buffer in the promotion chase in the early hours of Thursday, Sport Recife will welcome Operario to the Ilha do Retiro.

Starting with the hosts, while Sport Recife might have eventually fallen short during their top-four charge last season, the Lions have embarked on a real purple patch this time around. Last seen putting in a thumping performance as they stormed their way to a 3-1 romp away at Novorizontino, Pepa’s men will be looking for a repeat display when they return to the Ilha do Retiro. Getting October underway with a 2-1 win against Ceara, the former Cruzeiro boss finds the mood in his camp at a real high. Marking their return in the early hours of Thursday sat in the promotion spots, the midweek hosts have collected 10 points from their previous four Serie B showdowns. Likewise, Sport Recife have not suffered a single defeat from any of their last nine consecutive appearances – a run that stems all the way back to August 28th. Pencilled in as a standout contender here, Pepa’s side have also continued to impress with their performances on home soil. It should be highlighted, the Lions have registered 10 points from their last four Serie B battles at the Ilha do Retiro.

As for the visitors, while Operario might have opened October with an action-packed 3-2 victory against Chapecoense, the Parana-based outfit have continued to struggle with their consistency. Missing out on what was a potential opportunity last weekend as they had to settle for a 0-0 stalemate against Botafogo, Rafael Guanaes’ side have an almighty challenge on their hands in the race to mount a late top-four charge. In fact, Thursday’s guests have registered just a quartet of wins from any of their previous 12 consecutive showdowns against Serie B opposition – a run that stems back to August 24th. Likewise, facing what should be a real challenge when they travel to Recife in midweek, Operario have also failed to record back-to-back wins across any competition since the middle of June. It should also be highlighted, Guanaes’ inconsistent squad have put just a single point on the board from any of their previous four second-tier battles away from the Germano Kruger. Hit with a 5-1 drumming when they last travelled to the Ilha do Retiro back in October 2022, we are expecting a similar home win here.

Bet: Sport Recife 4/6 to beat Operario in Thursday’s Brazil Serie B showdown @ BetUS