Before the Round – Trends on Brasileiro Serie B (02-03/08)

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Four points separate six teams in the Serie B title fight. The championship is wide open after 20 matchdays.

Heading into round 21, Novorizontino lead the standings, with 39 points. Can any of the title-chasing pack catch Novo this week?

Sampaio Correa - Botafogo-SP

Botafogo-SP defeated Sampaio Correa 1-0 in the teams’ reverse fixture in Serie B. The Sao Paulo club won their last two games versus Sampaio Correa. However, both of those matches were at home. Sampaio Correa won their last match versus Botafogo-SP playing at home.

Sampaio Correa go into the match winless in their last four games. Correa are 15th in the standings and need to move away from the relegation zone. Sampaio Correa took 13 of their 21 points at home this season.

Botafogo are ninth in the league and winners of four of their last six games. Just nine points separate Botagofo-SP and first-place Novo. Botafogo have an away record of 4W-2D-3L. They went unbeaten in four of their last five away games.

• In their last 29 home games in Serie B, Sampaio Correa have recorded 25 undefeated encounters.
• Botafogo SP have been scoring 0.79 goals on average in their games in Serie B.
• Sampaio Correa have managed just 1 wins in their last 9 league games.
• Botafogo SP have managed to win just 2 of their last 6 in the league.
• Prediction: Botafogo SP

CRB - Atletico Goianiense

Atletico Goianiense defeated CRB in the reverse Serie B fixture 2-1 despite having a player sent off. The teams split their last six head-to-head matches, with three wins apiece.

CRB go into the match losers of three of their last four matches in the league. They are coming off a 2-0 loss to Recife. CRB are unbeaten in their last five home matches, however. Fifteen of their 24 points came at home.

Atletico Goianiense are 11th in the standings ahead of the midweek trip to CRB. They took just seven points from the last six games despite going unbeaten in five of those six fixtures. Atletico Goianiense failed to win any of their last six road matches.

• In all of their last 3 home games in Serie B, CRB/AL have managed to win at both half time and full time.
• Atlético GO have won just 2 of their last 14 league games.
• CRB/AL have a good record of 22 undefeated games of their last 26 home encounters in Serie B.
• Atlético GO are undefeated in 8 of their last 9 Serie B games.
• Prediction: Under 2.5 goals

Guarani – Ceara

Guarani won 3-0 against Ceara in the previous meeting this season. The team go into round No 21 looking for a fourth straight Serie B.

Guarani are in form and could close the game to first-place Novo. They are fifth in the league and four points off Novo. Guarani too 13 points from the last 15 on offer.

Ceara go into the match with 29 points from 20 games. They failed to win their last two games, picking up one point from six possible. Ceara lost twice and drew twice in their last four road matches.

• There have been 4 consecutive home Serie B wins in a row for Guarani.
• In their 4 most recent matches in Serie B, Ceará SC have seen under 2.5 goals scored.
• In their 16 most recent home matches of Serie B, Guarani have been undefeated 15 times.
• Ceará SC have won just 2 of their last 6 games in the league.
• Prediction: Under 2.5 goals

Vila Nova - Sport Recife

Vila Nova failed to win any of their last six games against Sport Recife in all competitions. The reverse Serie B fixture saw Sport Recife win 1-0.

Sport Recife are second in the standings and one point behind Novo going into midweek. Recife won their last two Serie B games by a combined score of 4-1. Sport Recife do struggle on the road and have a record of 2W-4D-3L away from home.

Vila Nova are fourth in the division and four points off first place. They failed to win any of their last four games, picking up just one point during that time. Vila Nova are in great form at home. They have not lost at home this season, posting six wins and three draws in nine games.

• Vila Nova FC have not suffered any defeats in their 18 most recent home Serie B matches.
• In their 20 most recent away matches of Serie B, Sport Recife have achieved just 3 wins.
• Vila Nova FC are on a poor run of just 1 wins in 6 matches (Serie B).
• Sport Recife have managed to score an average of 0.89 goals scored in their away matches in Serie B.
• Prediction: Draw