Recoleta vs Santos Prediction: Neymar headlines 11/2 Bet Builder in crunch Sudamericana clash

It's been a turbulent few days for Brazilian giants Santos FC, whose superstar forward Neymar is alleged to have physically assaulted Robinho Jr., son of his former teammate and ex-Real Madrid and Manchester City ace, Robinho, during Sunday's training session. The team were preparing for Wednesday's Copa Sudamericana Group D game with Deportivo Recoleta, taking place at the Paraguayan's Estadio Defensores del Chaco in Asuncion (01:30 BST).

Below are my Recoleta vs Santos predictions, supported by all the latest team news and match odds, ahead of this midweek meeting between the two clubs who played out a 1-1 draw last month at the Estadio Urbano Caldeira, where Richard Ortiz cancelled out Neymar's fourth-minute opener.

Team News

Recoleta's goalscorer in the reverse fixture, Ortiz, is sidelined with a fractured cheekbone, but Alexander Franco, who served a suspension in his side's 2-1 league win over Cerro Porteno on Sunday, is available for selection again.

Football Odds

While Santos have announced that an internal investigation has been launched into Sunday's events, Neymar and Robinho Jr. have both been included in Cuca's extended squad for Wednesday's game; the latter hasn't played since April 8 and is unlikely to feature in Paraguay, but Neymar, who was rested for Saturday's 1-1 draw at Palmeiras, is expected to start against Recoleta.

Vinicius Lira (knee) and Gabriel Menino (hamstring) are among those out injured for the visitors.

Recoleta vs Santos Odds

Recoleta, who have drawn all three of their games in Group D, including both at home, are 5/1, or a 16.7% chance, to claim their first win, with Santos 1/2, implying a 66.7% probability of success, to secure their maiden victory following two draws and a defeat.

Another draw between the two teams is priced at 3/1, with a repeat of that 1-1 scoreline in Brazil offered at 7/1.

Santos to Win Both Halves has been boosted from 5/2 to 11/4.

Bet Builder - Neymar (SAN) & Alexander Franco (REC) Carded @ 11/2

Neymar is never far away from the limelight, and he's been big news over the last couple of days for his alleged bust-up with Robinho Jr.

The 34-year-old, who still harbours dreams of a World Cup call-up this summer, will be keen to divert attention to matters on the pitch in Paraguay.

While the Brazilian is most known for his fancy tricks and sublime dribbling, he's also a regular in referee notebooks, usually for a dirty tackle or remonstrating with anyone in view.

Neymar was shown seven yellows and one red in just 20 league appearances for Santos last year, and in six Serie A games this season, he's been booked three times. He's walking a disciplinary tightrope in the Sudamericana, too, as he was cautioned in last month's reverse fixture with Recoleta for a foul on Claudio Figueredo.

He's been booked five times in his last nine appearances, and I can see him letting out his frustrations in Asuncion following a turbulent few days.

Naturally, Neymar is fouled a lot himself, and against Recoleta last month, he was upended five times, with right-sided centre-back Marcos Pereira and central midfielder Fernando Galeano both booked for taking him down.

With Neymar operating mainly from the left-hand side of the pitch, it's best to back someone playing in those areas, usually a central midfielder or right-sided defender, to receive a card.

Franco didn't play against Santos in Brazil last month, but he's started his side's other two games in Group D, making three fouls against both San Lorenzo and Cuenca.

The 23-year-old has received six yellows and one red in 17 league appearances this season, so he's certainly not shy to stick a boot in.

After returning from a domestic suspension, I'm backing the Paraguayan to collect a card against Santos.

Double Chance - Recoleta or Draw @ 7/5

Neither side has tasted success in the group stage of this year's competition, so it's hard to make a case for either to win on Wednesday.

There's value in backing the home team to avoid defeat, though, as they have done in all three games so far.

Recoleta have already held San Lorenzo (1-1) and Deportivo Cuenca (0-0) to draws in Asuncion, while they fought back from an early Neymar strike to claim a point against Santos in Brazil last month.

That stalemate spared a six-game winless run for Santos that has included five draws and one defeat, and they've won just one of their last nine (D5, L3).

Santos have been rotten on their travels this calendar year, winning just once, drawing six and losing the other seven, so I can't justify their 1/2 odds to claim all three points here.

Recoleta, meanwhile, are unbeaten in their last six home matches (W4, D2).

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