
Football betting tipster Nathan Joyes has provided his best betting predictions for Brazil Serie A's midweek fixtures focusing on six matches. Read about his best football odds below.
The hosts are still gunning for a top five finish that would see them automatically qualify for the Copa Libertadores group stage. Motivation is the key angle here, something the visitors are lacking.
After throwing a two goal lead to lose against Atletico Mineiro, it was a similar story at the weekend for Sport Recife. They shocked everyone when taking the lead against title contenders Flamengo - but the wheels soon fell off.
Two first half red cards followed and Filipe Luis' side ran out 5-1 winners. With relegation all but confirmed, a tired side having played with nine men for 45 minutes now travels to Rio de Janeiro and faces a far superior side.
Botafogo beat Sport Recife 1-0 in the reverse fixture, but this time round it should be a lot easier. This star studded side to win by at least two goals is our first football tip.
Betting Tip: Botafogo -1 Handicap at 3/4 – Spreadex
Santos delivered against arch-rivals Palmeiras on Sunday thanks to a last gasp winner from former Benfica midfielder Benjamin Rollheiser. That victory saw Neymar's side move out of the relegation zone - albeit by a point. With five games to go, there's still plenty of work to be done.
Mirassol, who were promoted alongside Santos, are fighting at the other end of the table for a Copa Libertadores spot. Both clubs crave points - but for different reasons - will see both going at it on Thursday.
At home, four of Santos' last five matches have produced under 2.5 goals, while the same can be said about three of Mirassol's away games. The reverse fixture saw Mirassol come out on top 3-0 - although all three came past the 70th minute - with the third scored in added time.
It's crunch time for both sides, and perhaps a cagier match is where the value is.
Betting Tip: Under 2.5 Goals at 17/20 - PricedUp
Both Gremio and Vasco are looking to secure Copa Sudamericana spots next season and so there's a goal angle that can land in Porto Alegre.
Gremio have been unable to keep a clean sheet in their last five matches, while Vasco head south having lost three consecutive matches in a row.
The hosts do, however, have a not-so-secret weapon up front. Former Fulham striker Carlos Vinicius has scored seven in 10 for his new club - including last time out vs Fortaleza.
Vasco have their own talents. Pablo Vegetti has 14 goals whereas teenage sensation Rayan Vitor has 12. Both strikers are more than capable of breaching Gremio's defence.
Both teams shared a 1-1 draw in the reverse fixture and with defences not at their best, both teams can find the back of the net once more.
Betting Tip: Both teams to score yes at 7/10 – Betway
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Juventude are fighting for their lives while Cruzeiro aren't technically out of the title race - which makes for an intriguing clash at Estadio Alfredo Jaconi.
At home, Juventude have won just one of their last five but head into this contest having won their last two matches on their travels - scoring five goals in the process. Improvement has been made - albeit potentially too late.
And while Cruzeiro might be unbeaten in their last eight, they have only won one of their last five away matches. Looking closer at their opponents, Cruzeiro have faced Flamengo, Atletico Mineiro and Palmeiras in recent weeks - three sides far stronger than Juventude.
The hosts have beaten Sport Recife (20th) and a Vasco side in poor form - which has potentially given them false hope.
These sides faced each other in July, where Cruzeiro ran out 4-0 winners. It won't be that comfortable on their travels, but with golden boot chaser Kaio Jorge leading the line, the Foxes can hunt down consecutive away victories.
Betting Tip: Cruzeiro to win at 5/6 – Betway
It's 8th vs 13th midweek as Corinthians look to protect their Copa Sudamericana spot while the visitors aim to reach the Copa Libertadores group stage for a second season in a row.
Corinthians head into this contest having lost consecutive matches against Bragantino and Ceara - and while they perform much better at home, they have still lost two of their last five in front of their own fans.
Sao Paulo aren't a side that travel well at all. Having won just two of their last 10 away matches, there are plenty on the treatment table at the moment, and it's difficult to know if Hernan Crespo's side can rally without key players.
Three of the last five meetings at this ground have finished in a draw, but more noticeably both teams to score has landed in all of them. Corinthians have secured three cleans from their last five, but the level of opponent have been a cut below Sao Paulo - even with their injury list continuing to grow.
Back both teams to score - and perhaps a smaller bet on the draw for those looking at chunkier odds.
Betting Tip: Both teams to score at 12/11 – BetMGM
Ceara can take a giant step towards guaranteeing their safety against an Internacional side looking to avoid a shock relegation to Serie B.
They have suffered just one home defeat in their last five matches, and head into this key clash having drawn 1-1 with their arch rivals in the final minute before beating Corinthians in their own back yard.
Internacional, on the other hand, are in big trouble. Winless on the road since August, they have lost seven of their last eight on their travels.
Their two star players - Johan Carbonero and Rafael Borre - are only just on their way back from international duty with Colombia and may not feature - handing further advantage to the hosts.
Inter's fortunes on the road look unlikely to change and having failed to win any of their last five, Ceara can continue their charge to safety.
Betting Tip: Ceara double chance and under 3.5 match goals at 8/13 – BetMGM
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