Prediction: Vasco vs Corinthians

Verdict: Vasco win

Best Odds: 6/5

Bookmaker: Olympusbet

Looking to extend on their recent flurry late on Wednesday night, Vasco will welcome Corinthians at the Maracana.

Vasco

Starting with the hosts, while Vasco might have opened up the 2024 campaign looking like they were destined for another relegation scrap, Rafael Paiva’s men have certainly turned a recent corner. Putting in a thumping performance last weekend as they secured a 2-1 win away at Brazilian giants Internacional, the former Palmeiras coach has seen his squad collect back-to-back victories for the first time this season. Skyrocketing their way up the Serie A standings, the Cruzmaltino will certainly be looking to make another statement of intent here. Opening June with a 2-0 victory at home agency Fortaleza, Vasco will also be excited by their largely rugged success on home soil. Including a thumping 4-1 romp against Sao Paulo last month, Wednesday’s hosts have suffered just a single defeat from any of their previous seven matchups at the Maracana across all competitions.

Team News

Both still dealing with respective long-term injury issues, Vasco will once again be unable to call upon the duo of Paulinho and one-time Sport Recife midfielder Jair late on Wednesday night. However, coming off the bench and bagging a second-half strike away at Internacional last weekend, 19-year-old Lyncon could make a first start of the season.

Recording two goals in his previous three Serie A appearances, veteran striker Pablo Vegetti will spearhead Vasco’s charge in midweek. Former River Plate defender Robert Rojas will once again partner Leo at the heart of Paiva’s defence here.

Corinthians

As for the visitors, while Corinthians might have secured an action-packed 3-2 victory at home against Vitoria last week, the Timao came immediately crashing back down to earth over the weekend. Putting in a nightmare performance as they slumped to a routine 3-0 drumming away at Cruzeiro, the Tatuape-based outfit have come under plenty of scrutiny since opening up the 2024 campaign. At the heart of a Serie A relegation scrap and opening Wednesday’s trip to Vasco sat two points adrift of safety, Corinthians have remarkably collected just a single win from any of their previous 11 straight Serie A appearances. With that extended rut stemming all the way back to the end of April, the Timao have also gained a reputation for their glaring issues on the road. Still yet to collect a single win away from the Neo Quimica Arena, the midweek guests could have another real struggle on their hands here.

Team News

All still dealing with respective injury issues, Corinthians will once again be unable to call upon the trio of Ruan Oliveira, Diego Palacios and one-time PSV defender Fagner on Wednesday night. However, returning from a recent knock last week, academy graduate Ryan could make a first Serie A start of the season at the Maracana.

Failing to notch a single strike in any of his previous six meetings against Serie A opposition, 23-year-old Yuri Alberto could be dropped to the bench here. Attracting plenty of Premier League interest this summer, attacking starlet Wesley could play a leading role in midweek.

Key Factors to Consider

• When Vasco and Corinthians last met back on November 29th, the Timao collected an action-packed 4-2 victory at the Maracana.
• However, Corinthians have collected just a single victory from any of their previous 11 straight Serie A appearances.
• Vasco have claimed back-to-back Serie A victories for the first time since opening up the 2024 campaign.
• Likewise, Wednesday’s hosts have lost just one of their previous seven appearances at the Maracana across all competitions.
• Corinthians have collected just two points from any of their first eight Serie A appearances on the road.

Conclusion

While Corinthians might have secured an action-packed 4-2 win when they travelled to Vasco last season, the Timao have a real challenge on their hands here. Collecting just a pair of points from any of their first eight Serie A appearances on the road, Vasco should be smelling the chance to extend on their recent flurry on Wednesday night. Collecting back-to-back Serie A victories for the first time since opening up the 2024 campaign, Paiva’s side will also be excited by their success on home soil.

Verdict: Vasco win

Best Odds: 6/5

Bookmaker: Olympusbet