Prediction: Santos vs Ituano

Verdict: Santos win

Best Odds: 2/5

Bookmaker: Dachbet

Two sides who find themselves scrapping it out at opposite ends of the Serie B standings, Santos will welcome Ituano to the Vila Belmiro in the early hours of Tuesday.

Santos

Starting with the hosts, while Santos might have lost their Serie A status last season, the Peixe appear to be storming their way to an immediate top-flight return. Last seen earlier in the month putting in another rugged performance as they secured a 1-0 victory away at Ceara, Fabio Carille’s men should find the mood in their camp at a red-hot high. Opening July with another 1-0 win against Chapecoense, the one-time Corinthians boss should find the mood in his camp at a real high. Looking to lay down another marker in the early hours of Tuesday, Santos have come roaring back from their June wobble. Now mustering 10 points from their previous four Serie B appearances, the midweek hosts will also be excited by their recent defensive resolve. It should be highlighted, Carille’s camp have not conceded a single second-tier strike in over 400 minutes of action.

Team News

Shown a second-half red card away at Ceara on July 5th, former Gremio defender Rodrigo Ferreira will miss out through suspension here. Likewise, all still dealing with respective long-term injury issues, Santos will once again be unable to call upon the trio of Leonardo Zabala, Rodrigo Falcao and academy graduate Kevyson.

Coming off the bench and bagging the winner against Ceara last time out, 31-year-old Romulo Otero could be handed an immediate recall. Despite failing to north a single Serie B strike since the end of April, veteran striker Julio Furch will keep his spot spearheading Santos’ charge.

Ituano

As for the visitors, making what was a crucial return to winning ways as they secured an action-packed 3-2 victory against Botafogo, Ituano will be desperate to use that performance as a platform to build on. However, despite eventually clinging to their Serie B status last season, Alberto Valentim’s men are still firmly battling it out at the foot of the table. Appearing to face what is a real uphill battle this year, the Railroad have collected just a single win from any of their previous seven Serie B appearances. Signing off June with a 4-2 defeat away at Ceara, Tuesday’s guests have shown some rather glaring defensive issues. Including a remarkable 5-3 loss at home against Paysandu last month, Ituano have remarkably shipped 20 goals in just their previous seven outings. Desperately seeking some kind of stability, Valentim’s side couldn’t have asked for a tougher challenge here.

Team News

Shown a late red card at home against Botafogo on July 7th, one-time Internacional starlet Jose Aldo will miss out through suspension in the early hours of Tuesday. Not making a single appearance since the start of March and still dealing with a long-term muscle injury, former Guarani striker Pablo will not travel to the Vila Belmiro.

Bagging a pair of goals against Botafogo last time out and making a real impression on his first start of the season, 25-year-old Ze Eduardo will have a leading role to play here. Despite returning from a minor knock last month, ex-Brusque striker Bruno Alves will likely have to settle for a spot on the bench.

Key Factors to Consider

• Santos have collected 10 points from their previous four Serie B appearances.
• Likewise, Tuesday’s hosts have conceded just a single second-tier strike in over 400 minutes of action.
• Ituano have remarkably conceded 20 goals in just their previous seven Serie B appearances.
• Continuing on from their summer preparations, Santos have won 10 of their previous 11 appearances at the Vila Belmiro across all competitions.
• Ituano have failed to muster a single victory on their travels across all competitions over the past 11 months.

Conclusion

Really bouncing back from their June blip and now mustering 10 points from their previous four Serie B appearances, Santos will be looking to make another statement here. Gaining a reputation for their rugged defensive performances and pencilled in as a leading promotion contender this season, Tuesday’s hosts will also be excited by their continued success at the Vila Belmiro. While Ituano might have drawn a line under their six-match winless rut last week, Valentim’s side couldn’t have asked for a tougher examination in midweek.

Verdict: Santos win

Best Odds: 2/5

Bookmaker: Dachbet