Predicition: Juventude vs Sao Paulo

Verdict: Sao Paulo win

Best odds: 89/100

Bookmaker: ZetBet

Looking to extend their excellent run that returned five wins in the last six rounds, Sao Paulo will travel to Juventude. The game will be played at Estadio Alfredo Jaconi where the local fans enjoyed watching their favourites’s invincible Serie A status.

Juventude

Starting their 2024 campaign with an extended invincibility run that saw the locals dropping a single game in the first seven rounds, Juventude proved capable of competing against Brazil’s best. Despite facing top teams in the early stages of the Serie A season, the hosts faltered a single time against Botafogo. Although the Rio Grande shores side was expected to put up a fight, following the previous 2-0 home win against Corinthians, Botafogo inflicted Juventude’s heaviest defeat this season (5-1).

Still, with 15 rounds played, Roger’s side is strongly positioned on a Copa Sudamericana place, a spot the team will be keen to secure at the end of the season. However, with Internacional just a point below, Juventude must improve their away displays after failing to win a game (D2L5).

Despite dropping points away from home, the hosts maintained their invincibility in the last two games at Estadio Alfredo Jaconi. Following a perfect match when they hammered Gremio (3-0), Juventude had to settle for a stalemate against Athletico MG (1-1), reaching their 8th consecutive match in the Serie A with at least a goal scored.

Furthermore, with an impressive output in Copa do Brasil against Internacional, Juventude reached the quarter-finals after dispatching The Reds in great style (3-2 on aggregate). With confidence at an all-time high after the Cup success, Juventude proved once more difficult to defeat at Alfredo Jaconi stadium by coming back from behind against Athletico MG.

Team News

Roger will have difficulties lining up a strong formation against heavyweights Sao Paulo with no less than five players sidelined. The biggest problems come from the back line where Juventude can’t call upon the goalkeeper Gabriel and centre-backs Danilo Boza and Ze Marcos.

Sao Paulo

Starting their campaign with two defeats against Fortaleza and Flamengo, Sao Paulo bounced back in great style by remaining undefeated in the next seven rounds. This excellent run propelled the visitors to the Copa Libertadores qualification spots, six points behind Serie A leaders Botafogo RJ.

While the championship battle is expected to be settled in the last round, the visitors must keep their intensity in their quest to play Copa Libertadores football next term. Although a pair of consecutive mid-June defeats raised the alarm in the visitor’s camp, Luis Zubeldia’s team bounced back in great fashion by winning the next four games.

Yet, defeating home Criciuma and Bahia was expected, a shock success at Athletico PR (1-2) cemented Sao Paulo’s table position. Furthermore, with a record of W9D3L5, the visitors can mount a title fight trailing leader Botafogo RJ with six points.

However, to remain in a great position for at least a Copa Libertadores qualifying spot, the visitors should improve their away displays where they secured only three wins from eight games (W3D2L3). Seen last time dropping three points at Athletico MG, The Sovereign recorded a single victory in the last five games played away.

With Juventude’s form declining, Sao Paulo is keen to build on their last home success against Gremio and return with all the points from Estadio Alfredo Jaconi. Despite suffering against Gremio, former Tottenham winger Lucas Moura’s early strike was enough to win the game, a perfect result before facing Juventude.

Team News

Lui Zubeldia has a few players out injured and suspended. Defensive midfielder Pablo Maia is still recovering from a hamstring injury picked up in April. Fellow centre midfield player Alisson broke his ankle in the previous game against Gremio. Luiz Gustavo, Igor Vinicius and Alan Franco are suspended due to bookings, leaving Sao Paolo in a difficult situation to line up a strong team against Juventude.

Key factors to consider

• Juventude is undefeated at home in Serie A this season (W5D3)
• The hosts scored four goals in the last two games
• The host’s last home win against Sao Paolo stems back from November 2007 (1-0)
• Sao Paulo is excellent positioned to qualify for the Copa Libertadores by the end of the season
• The visitors won 5 of their last 6 games played in Brazil’s top-flight

Conclusion

Sao Paulo will be tested against a team yet to lose at home in the championship. However, the hosts’ recent drop with two stalemates could be the perfect opportunity for the visitors to explore and leave Alfredo Jaconi with all points at stake.

Verdict: Sao Paulo win

Best odds: 89/100

Bookmaker: ZetBet