Football Bet of the Day: Top-of-the-table clash to produce goals in Brazil

My first football bet of the day last week landed comfortably last Wednesday as Vasco da Gama beat Corinthians 2-0, but after that 7/4 success, there was 13/8 heartache on Sunday as Hacken contrived to lose 5-3 from a winning position in the 89th minute.

Nevertheless, we roll our sleeves up and return to Brazil for Friday's football bet of the day, this time in a top-of-the-table Campeonato Brasileiro Serie B clash between Vila Nova and Santos at Estadio Onesio Brasileiro Alvarenga in Goiania (00:00).

Vila Nova vs Santos Odds

*Please click on the link above to be taken to the main Vila Nova vs Santos page on betfred.com (or app) for all the live betting prices on this match.

Santos sit top of Serie B having collected 28 points from 15 games in their first-ever season outside the top-flight, but their hosts on Friday, Vila Nova, are only one point behind them heading into this contest and can overtake the Brazilian giants with a victory.

The signs are positive for Vila Nova, who are unbeaten at home this season and have only dropped points in one game at Estadio OBA - a 2-2 draw with Brusque on May 26. They've scored in every home game this season, posing a substantial threat to Santos' chances of recording a third straight clean sheet on their travels.

Santos' away form has actually been underwhelming considering their status in the second-tier and their position as leaders. Peixe have only picked up 10 points from eight away outings, less than four other sides, and lost three on the spin on the road before holding Mirassol to a goalless draw on June 25 and following that stalemate up with a 1-0 win at Ceara.

They've been claiming clean sheets for fun recently, however, with a 2-0 victory over Goias on June 19 the first of five consecutive shutouts, and they head into Friday looking for a sixth.

Football Odds

Santos ran out comfortable 2-0 winners over Ituano in the early hours of Tuesday (UK time) and will provide Vila Nova's sternest challenge yet.

I'm not willing to back a result in this match, but I do think the attacking strength of both sides will see at least a goal scored for each, despite the defensive record of Santos in particular.

Vila Nova actually feature pretty high up in the Serie B BTTS table, with only Paysandu (10), Ceara and America-MG (both nine) seeing more games finish with a goal for either side than Tigre (eight). Half (4/8) have come at home, including their last game there, a 2-1 victory over Avai, who are fifth at the time of writing.

Santos will expect to win the title this season to ensure a swift return to the big time, so there will be pressure on them to win these sorts of games and establish clear daylight between themselves and the rest of the league.

However, Friday could well end up being one of their toughest assignments of the campaign, and at the very least, I think we will see a few goals.

Offers

Acca Flex: Place a pre-match 5+ leg Football accumulator and get a CASH bonus up to 50% if all of your selections win or your money back as CASH if one leg lets you down.

You can read all our latest Football Bets of the Day at our dedicated Betfred Insights content hub.