Football Bet of the Day: Red Bull Bragantino looking for lift off in cup tie

A 2-0 defeat to Athletico Paranaense in the first leg of their Copa do Brasil tie last week has left Red Bull Bragantino with it all to do in the return fixture at Estadio Nabi Abi Chedid on Wednesday (23:00).

The second leg of this last-16 tie takes place in Braganca Paulista and features as my football bet of the day for Wednesday, August 7.

Red Bull Bragantino vs Athletico Paranaense Odds

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Last Wednesday's first leg in Curitiba saw Athletico-PR run out 2-0 winners courtesy of first-half strikes from Bruno Zapelli and Christian. The hosts thought they had a third before the interval after Gonzalo Mastriani's penalty hit the net, but the referee disallowed the effort after ruling it had taken a double touch from the 31-year-old striker.

It was one-way traffic in the second half as the visitors looked to reduce the deficit ahead of the return fixture in Braganca Paulista but to no avail as Athletico-PR kept a clean sheet at the Ligga Arena.

Both sides were in league action at the weekend but intentions were clear with the sides that lined up. Athletico-PR started with Fernandinho, Mastriani and Agustin Canobbio all on the bench in their 2-0 home defeat to Gremio, while Bragantino's 2-2 draw at Vasco da Gama saw Helinho, Lincoln and Henry Mosquera restricted to substitute outings.

Attention now turns to Wednesday's second leg at Estadio Nabi Abi Chedid, where the hosts need to win by two goals to force a penalty shoot-out, or by three goals to avoid spot-kicks.

Bragantino supporters should certainly be encouraged by their home record this term as the team look to turn the tie around and progress to the quarter-finals of the competition.

Massa Bruta have lost just twice at home all season, suffering a 2-1 defeat there to Atletico Mineiro on June 12 and losing 1-0 to Fluminense last time out on July 28. Before that most recent reverse, Bragantino enjoyed a five-match win streak in Braganca Paulista, and there were plenty of goals to go around as both teams struck in four of those victories.

Football Odds

Athletico-PR shouldn't be too fearful themselves, though, considering only three clubs have collected more points away from home in Serie A this season. They've amassed 14 points on their travels from 10 league games and have lost just one of their last five away matches in all competitions.

Crucially, however, that defeat came at Wednesday's venue, against Bragantino. Athletico-PR travelled there on July 21 looking to make it three Serie A away wins on the spin but left empty-handed as Raul's eighth-minute strike proved to be the difference between the sides.

Bragantino had to play over half the game with 10 men after Cleiton was dismissed in first-half injury time, but Massa Bruta held on for the three points in an ill-tempered clash that saw eight yellow cards dished out in the second 45 minutes.

The mental scars from that defeat could still be there when the teams line up on Wednesday, and with their crowd behind them, Bragantino will believe they can win this week's second leg.

I'm inclined to agree considering their home record, but I do see the visitors getting on the scoresheet, too. Athletico-PR have struck in eight of their last 10 games while Bragantino have kept just one clean sheet in their last 15 matches.

Whether a win will be enough for Bragantino to progress, though, I have my doubts, but a home win and both teams to score in regulation time takes my fancy at 100/30 for Wednesday's football bet of the day.

Offers

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