TFT Issue 3303!

West Ham United vs Brighton & Hove Albion

KO: 14:15 (UK time)

With each passing week, West Ham United look more and more like a settled Moyes team. They’re hard to beat because they’re organised, and they always seem to score a goal or two from somewhere. They’re confident, they’re all on the same page, and they’re effective. The Scotsman has made them a respectable team once more, which in all honesty, has really not been the case for a lot of years now.

This West Ham United team, however, is one that I can respect and trust. The only teams to score a good amount of goals against the capital club this season have been top teams like Chelsea or Manchester United. Everybody else has struggled to deal with their pace, their organisation, their ruthless finishing, and most of all their physical strength. Although I still consider him West Ham United’s best player, The Hammers have now progressed so much that Antonio is no longer essential. He’s a very handy alternative, for sure, but they’ve learned to play without him. For me, that tells you how good the work is that Moyes has done.

They seem to have a bit of everything now, West Ham United. Whether it’s having raw speedsters like Bowen out wide, big Haller through the middle, a dribbler like Yarmolenko, or natural midfield ghosters like Fornals and Lanzini to make things happen. On top of that, a massive team like this will always get chances from set pieces too. All of that fused with composure at the back, and a very experienced goalkeeper, makes me think that West Ham United are going to pick up a considerable amount more points this season than usual, including today.

I also have a lot of respect for Brighton & Hove Albion boss Potter. I think that he gets a lot out of his team tactically, and that they can be very hard to beat. It’s gotten to the stage now there I genuinely don’t consider them in the relegation battle any longer because they’ll always do enough to stay out of it. That’s testament to the work that Potter has done. Sure, they need some fresh blood in there to keep them competitive, especially in the final third. Trossard was a fine start on that front as he’s a very quick-thinking creator with excellent dribbling and movement. For me though, Maupay is still a Championship level forward, and Welbeck, as good as he is, always has injury problems. It’s not so easy to find good strikers nowadays, I suppose, but I guess I just feel like Brighton & Hove Albion need that better line-leader before I can trust them to get points.

They’re hard to beat though; very hard to break down. I’m a huge fan of their energy in midfield, and I think March is a very underrated wing-back too. His finishing needs a lot of work but his ability to find space and make well-timed runs in behind defenders is really very impressive. Youngster Lamptey on the other side is very good too; it can’t be long before he moves to a bigger club, possibly even back to Chelsea. They’ve got good options in most positions, Brighton & Hove Albion, so I really don’t think they’re a bad team at all, no matter what the form guide says.

Of late though, they’ve been frustrating, on and off the pitch. For starters, I’ve no idea why Australian shot stopper Ryan has been dropped; it makes no sense to me. He’s a cracking goalkeeper. I’ve also seen some poor decision-making in the final third; only Lallana and Trossard seem to be on the right wavelength at the moment. It’s most likely just a lack of confidence, which is fair enough, but it’s leading to Brighton & Hove Albion not scoring enough goals, even against woebegone Sheffield United, and that’s an issue. I don’t see them leaving London today without conceding so they need to find a route to goal that works – and I am not sure what that is right now.

Therefore, I’m on the West Ham United win at 13/10.

Verdict: West Ham United to win at 13/10.

Racing Genk vs Waasland-Beveren

KO: 15:00 (UK time)

This game is one of two being played in Belgium today that should be very entertaining. Racing Genk finally rediscovered their modjo and have not been shy about reminding other teams of how good they can be. They’re currently second in the Eerste Klasse, and look set on pushing Club Brugge all the way. However, that means winning games like this one so they need to remain focused.

Fortunately for us, Racing Genk have been deadly of late. It’s not a secret that they’re better than most Belgian teams anyway, and they sure do have a consistent string of talented youngsters coming through thanks to their outstanding scouting network. Teams simply can’t contain their speed, on or off the ball, not to mention clinical finishing. They’ve got some terrifically powerful centre-backs, some lightning fast forwards, and one massive striker in Onuachu. Fusing all of that with a highly energetic and intelligent midfield makes for great, entertaining football, and a boatload of goals being scored.

The bad news for Racing Genk is that they’re always going to be scouted by bigger clubs nowadays given their history of producing brilliant youngsters. Indeed, the Italian media is already saying that Atalanta Bergamo have agreed to sign Danish engine Maehle from Racing Genk in January, and I would not be surprised by that – he’s the perfect fit for them due to his stamina, work-rate, and attacking intent. I’m sure Racing Genk have got a ready-made replacement lined up, as always, but the constant changing doesn’t help them in the long run. Still, what’s the alternative?

The only real weak spot for Racing Genk stems from their appetite for goals. They’ll always leave themselves open at the back, and the Belgian Eerste Klasse is a division where speed is the name of the game in pretty much every attack. Therefore, they will concede goals, Racing Genk. It’s their skill, passing, and various routes to goal that makes them better than most in the country, and that’s why they’ve won as many matches as they have. Don’t expect professional, efficient displays from them though, because it’s not going to happen. Nonetheless, I do expect them to win this game, and I expect them to do it in style.

You see, Waasland-Beveren are a very attack-minded team themselves, just like most of the Eerste Klasse, really. For me, they only truly embraced this approach when they loaned Kiese-Thelin from RSC Anderlecht all of those years ago, and he tore the division apart whilst on their books. They’ve never been as good as that since then, but that hasn’t prevented them from at least trying to be. Nowadays, their attack is mostly comprised of Luxembourg’s brightest attacking talent in Sinani, rapid Koita, and a good Swiss target man in Frey, although the latter has not had a good season for a couple of years now.

Still, Waasland-Beveren can call upon wonderkid Heymans and tenacious midfield warriors like Mandjack and Bertone, which helps keep their midfield honest and competitive. They have to keep things this way, the visitors, because they simply can’t compete with teams that are better than they are tactically. Subsequently, everything that they do involves pressing, tracking runners, and making runs in behind defenders. Everybody is always on the go, basically, and that can be very complicated to play against. Belgium’s better teams seldom struggle against such though, as Antwerp and AA Gent respectively have demonstrated lately, both beating Waasland-Beveren 3-0.

Waasland-Beveren tend to run into that ol’ problem more often than not against Racing Genk too. Indeed, you’d have to go back to 2014 to find the last time that they actually beat today’s hosts. Racing Genk simply play the same style as they do – but better. I don’t know how else to put it, really. I like what Waasland-Beveren do, and I enjoy watching them play, but games of this nature tend to be beyond them. Now, that may not prevent them from scoring a goal or two themselves, but they’ll generally lose such encounters – and this one should not be an exception.

Still, both teams are going to have a go here, so backing over 3.5 goals at 6/5 is very appealing to me.

Verdict: Over 3.5 goals at 6/5.

Maccabi Petah Tikva vs Bnei Sakhnin

KO: 17:00 (UK time)

The best way to surmise Maccabi Petah Tikva’s recent form is to say that they’ve made too many errors. They’ve gone from winning controlled contests to playing in games that are far too open. The individual errors they’ve made lately may not have cost them in every game but they’re still present, and that’s a concerning trait to have developed ahead of a clash with impressive newcomers Bnei Sakhnin.

Take their last game, for example. I thought Maccabi Petah Tikva didn’t do anywhere near enough in the first-half of that match, and only turned things on in the second-half after they fashioned a goal. Even then they still allowed their hosts back into the match, despite having controlled the game for a good twenty minutes at that point, after Safuri’s long-range effort squirmed pass a poor dive from Yanko. They’re leaving too much to chance, Maccabi Petah Tikva, firmly placing the advantage in the hands of their opponents. Some have done better than others at it, but whilst Maccabi Petah Tikva are not calling the shots, they’ve no real right to complain about the eventual outcome.

I won’t deny that Maccabi Petah Tikva have a very intimidating attack at the moment. Both Arroyo and Lupeta are big, strong forwards, and Abada/Baribo are thriving because of such. They’ve not been shy at committing men forward from midfield either, playing one-twos to get around opponents, and to get balls into the box. Indeed, I would go as far as to say that Maccabi Petah Tikva never look all that far away from scoring. All that bothers me about them right now is that they’re not controlling proceedings, which means anything can happen, especially with their slovenly defending/goalkeeping of late.

Now, Bnei Sakhnin may have only just returned to the Ligat Ha’al but they’re no strangers to this level. They’ve actually arrived with a rather good squad too, adding Hasselbaink and Kayal to a squad already containing live wires like Welshman and Khalaila. With Barshazki and Jaber having done better of late, Ativan’s men have found it easier to carve teams open, and to get shots off. They’ve not been as clinical as they need to be, it’s true, but whilst they’re creating the opportunities that they are, they’re going to do some damage to teams.

Subsequently, I’m left feeling like the visitors can win this one, if they apply themselves correctly. They’re right to be priced as underdogs, though – Maccabi Petah Tikva look more clinical and resolute at the moment. Still, I like what I’ve seen from Bnei Sakhnin, and there’s not enough between them for me to casually back the hosts. These two teams are both creating openings rather easily at the moment, and both have the quality to make it count. Therefore, I expect Bnei Sakhnin to at least do enough to score in this game, whether they get the desired result or not.

With that in mind, I’m going to back both teams to score at 9/10.

Verdict: Both teams to score at 9/10.

RSC Anderlecht vs Germinal Beerschot

KO: 17:15 (UK time)

I appreciate that RSC Anderlecht are slowly rediscovering what tactics are under Kompany, and that Germinal Beerschot have gone a little bit off the rails lately. However, I can’t really allow myself to believe that the capital club have what it takes to suppress Belgium’s most vibrant team, especially not after the chance-laden bonanza we witnessed in the reversal of this fixture.

It’s not a secret that RSC Anderlecht are better than Germinal Beerscho, and it’s also not a secret that the visitors are performing to a standard that they cannot possibly maintain. With that in mind, the bookies are absolutely right to make Les Mauves favourites here. Do they really have the confidence to deal with such mobile, fluid outfits as Germinal Beerschot right now, though? I’m not so sure that they do. In time, absolutely – I think Kompany’s presence is finally serving as something as a calming measure for a cash-strapped club that has been publicly panicking for quite a few years now.

Still, there’s a long way to go, and Kompany knows it. There’s no regular back four in this team, for starters. Injuries have played a part in that, but a general lack of quality is responsible for the rest. RSC Anderlecht have never been far away from producing brilliant youngsters, and composed centre-back Kana is supposed to be the next big thing, not that he’s featured much this season. Until then, it’s battlers like Murillo and Mykhaylichenko that need to be relied upon, and although I don’t doubt the courage of either of them, I think it’s fair to say that they rely more upon brawn than brains.

Fortunately, RSC Anderlecht have a more impressive attack than defence, even with talented playmaker Verschaeren injured. On loan Manchester city forward Nmecha has remembered how good he can be this season, already bagging nine times, and late bloomer Percy Tau of South Africa has dazzled defences this season with his speed and fast footwork, although his finishing leaves plenty to be desired. Dimata is arguably the best of the lot of them, not that he’s proven it since a spate of injuries kept him out of the team. With towering Bundu also an option, RSC Anderlecht always have a route to goal, no matter whether it’s Lokonga, Amuzu, Verschaeren, or the increasingly under-utilised Trebel and Bakkali that make the chances. Again, I do think that Kompany is ‘healing’ RSC Anderlecht, and that they’ll simply swat teams like Germinal Beerschot aside once more in time – but not yet.

For now, the visitors look set to cause problems at the Constant Vanden Stock today. Adventurous Argeninian manager Losada will not fear their hosts, and that’s logical enough at this time; they do look quite frail mentally. Losada was once a player of RSC Anderlecht too, so he knows about the ethos there, and the way they teach all of their kids to play. Well, let’s face it – during his time in the capital, he had more than enough time on the touchline to watch such unfolding because of injuries, didn’t he?

Losada was a gifted playmaker during his time though, and it’s not surprising that he’s opted for an attack-minded Germinal Beerschot that has honestly blown the Eerste Klasse away this season, whether they’ve gotten positive results or not. Mentally, today’s away team are tremendously strong. I genuinely do question whether they actually know if they’re winning, losing, or drawing because their style never seems to change. They can’t hold leads, and nor do they try to. All they want to do is get men forward, and to score goals – so they do.

Live wires Suzuki and Tissoudali are what keep opponents sweating during matches with their pressing and runs into channels. Players like that make the lives of creative midfielders an absolute dream, so it’s hardly surprising that Austrian midfielder Holzhauser has had one of the best campaigns of his life since moving to Belgium, already having scored eleven goals. With him, wonderkid Coulibaly, and Sanusi in the equation, Germinal Beerschot are not short of attacking intent, speed, nor movement. Even their defenders are conditioned to play forwards rather than sideways or back. It may be to their own detriment sometimes, as it has been in their last two matches, but Germinal Beerschot love playing attacking football, and that’s all they’re going to do in Brussels here.

Picking a winner between these two is a bit of a coin toss for me. The home team have developed a level of maturity this season that Germinal Beerschot cannot even imagine, but the visitors are far stronger mentally and very hard to handle, both individually and  collectively, so there’s not much between them. For me, backing over 3.5 goals at 6/5 between two such attack-heavy teams should be something of a no-brainer here.

Verdict: Over 3.5 goals at 6/5.

Ironi Kiryat Shmona vs Hapoel Kfar Saba

KO: 17:45 (UK time)

I like this one a lot more than I should, folks! Ironi Kiryat Shmona are right to be favourites; they’re the better team, and for the most part, they’ve been excellent this season. Hapoel Kfar Saba have done alright, but on a normal day, would not get a positive result from this match.

However, this is not an ordinary day, in my opinion. I’ve really become rather disappointed with Ironi Kiryat Shmona lately; that’s the crux of the matter. Wasting chances at this level happens; there’s a lot of poor finishing in the Ligat Ha’al. However, I’ve found Ironi Kiryat Shmona to not be good enough at carving out opportunities of late. It’s not bad finishing; it’s bad build-up play, and that’s far more serious. One goal scored in five games is seriously troubling, especially as they were basically gifted that goal by Hapoel Be’er Sheva. One has to seriously question whether Refua has what it takes to still do this job now – well, if you’re an impatient Ligat Ha’al club owner! 

What I find the most baffling is that I really, really like their squad for this season. They’ve made some seriously good signings pre-season. I mean, Maranhao? Ansah? Mizrahi? Kehat? Touray? I know they’ve taken risks in signing some of those players as they’ve not been at their best for years, but most are very much proven individuals at Ligat Ha’al level. Indeed, more than that – they’re proven match-winners too. Nobody is standing up to be counted at the moment though. Those players are not influencing games enough, and that’s what has contributed to the Ironi Kiryat Shmona malaise.

I don’t doubt that Ironi Kiryat Shmona will turn things around at some stage but it doesn’t appear to be close to hand. Heads have dropped in this squad, their main men aren’t performing, and they’re not troubling opponents so every goal conceded is virtually a decider. The only game I’ve seen them create enough chances in lately was against newly-promoted Bnei Sakhnin, and even then I felt like the visitors were doing more in the final third, and so it proved with Jaber’s late winner. Again, I know the home team will turn things around in the end because this squad is too good not to. I would be surprised if it happened tonight though.

Hapoel Kfar Saba should really be eyeing up this game and licking their lips, to be honest. They’ve not won in a while themselves, but have performed rather well recently. A red card cost them against Hapoel Haifa, and the fact that Beitar Jerusalem was their opponent was all that held them to a 1-1 draw last time out. Personally, I’ve been quite impressed with them though. They’re playing very well on the break, and they’ve been scoring goals. No, they’re far from perfect, but they’re playing better than they’re being given credit for.

Now, I won’t be drawn into committing as to how long-lasting this effect will actually be. It could still be the old new manager ‘bounce’ because it can’t just be coincidence that Hapoel Kfar Saba have turned it on since Gazal replaced Turgeman as manager. Essentially, this season could still go pear-shaped for Hapoel Kfar Saba, who again, are not winning enough matches. I may have liked how much they’ve improved lately, both in terms of their efforts and their output, but they’ve still not beaten either of their last two opponents.

Still, I think they’re in a better place than their hosts tonight, and the odds are good enough to take a punt on. Their hosts are expecting to make the running here, allowing Hapoel Kfar Saba to play more on the break, which suits them. Defensive midfielder Fochive is back from suspension. Rapid Soukouna has done well up front lately. Omoh has been playing well, and Kizito looks untouchable at times. They’re making more chances than their opponents, and they’re scoring more goals, not to mention playing with more confidence. To me, that’s enough to make backing the underdogs worth the risk tonight.

Therefore, I’m on Hapoel Kfar Saba to win with draw no bet at 5/4. 

Verdict: Hapoel Kfar Saba to win with draw no bet at 5/4.

Bnei Yehuda Tel-Aviv vs Hapoel Be’er Sheva

KO: 18:30 (UK time)

Hapoel Be’er Sheva needed this kind of fixture, in my opinion. They’re not playing badly at the moment, per se, but they’re having little spells in each game where teams are on top of them and of late they’ve been punished for that by both Hapoel Hadera and Maccabi Petah Tikva, two teams that have performed well this season. Subsequently, this team needed to come across a team that isn’t scoring many of their opportunities – like Bnei Yehuda Tel-Aviv!

Like I’ve said in most Hapoel Be’er Sheva previews this season, this team has no depth. They’ve got a strong enough starting eleven, and a very streetwise manager that has seriously helped turn things around at what was essentially a regressing club. Last time out was an example of such. Vitor still being out, and Acolatse being out, forced Goldberg to play. Goldberg is not a regular starter if every player in this team is fit, and he was so bad in the game that it cost his team. When Hapoel Be’er Sheva were pushing for a winner, they ended up bringing Vitor on at the end, who is a centre-back. Why do that? It’s because Abukasis knows that players like Goldberg will cost the team – and they did.

Now, though, Vitor is fit. How long for, I honestly can’t say – it never seems to be very long though. Still, with the Portuguese man back, I can begin to trust Hapoel Be’er Sheva to do the right things defensively once more. I doubt we’ll see Acolatse tonight though, not after the Covid-19 cases that were going around the camp, but Vitor’s return should help build a solid enough foundation for The Camels to build upon here. I like that idea.

Besides, let’s be fair – Hapoel Be’er Sheva were doing well in the last match until Abada scored. Minutes prior, their striker Lupeta should have been dismissed, in my opinion, but wasn’t. These things change games. Maccabi Petah Tikva took the lead, and then continued to cause problems. Then a rather hopeful looking Safuri shot from range somehow beat Yanko, and then it’s all Hapoel Be’er Sheva again – until a sucker punch goal at the end. The point is that Hapoel Be’er Sheva have progressed a lot under Abukasis. They’re still having little blips here and there, but Vitor’s return should lessen such, especially against goal-shy Bnei Yehuda Tel-Aviv, and I cannot doubt a Josue-led team doing enough to win games at the other end.

This game is more about what Bnei Yehuda Tel-Aviv are going to do because they’re being beaten way too easily at the moment. Losing against high-flying Maccabi Haifa and Hapoel Hadera may not be unforgivable at this moment in time, but it’s the manner of those defeats that should trouble today’s home team. Can they be considered a surprise, though? They’re pretty much in turmoil at the moment, Bnei Yehuda Tel-Aviv. They sacked one manager, and replaced him with Nir Berkovic – and then sacked him after four matches due to his altercation with a commentator. The party line was that the ‘owner did not get along with him’, but Nir’s brother Eyal Berkovic took to the radio the next day to say that the owner was harassing his wife. Israeli football is never far away from controversy, I’m afraid!

As I understand it, Bnei Yehuda Tel-Aviv are embarrassingly still without a manager – a month down the line! Suddenly their form guide makes more sense, doesn’t it? This isn’t a bad team, you know. You know what they’re getting with Zrihan, Ghadir, and especially playmaker Ljujic. This team cannot possibly hope to flourish without a manager though. The Ligat Ha’al looks particularly competitive this season, and although Bnei Yehuda Tel-Aviv are not amongst the worst teams, they’re not good enough to get by without the appropriate level of shepherding. Subsequently, heavy defeats should continue to come to this team until they sort this mess out.

The above is why I don’t think they’re in any kind of shape to face Hapoel Be’er Sheva right now. Tonight’s visitors are mentally stronger, far more effective in the final third, and are playing quite well for the most part. They’ve got more brains, more match-winners, and are getting a lot more right than Bnei Yehuda Tel-Aviv. Therefore, I trust Abukasis and co. to ensure that tonight’s game ends in an away win, one way or another.

Verdict: Hapoel Be’er Sheva to win at evens.

Bahia vs Internacional 

KO: 19:00 (UK time)

Bahia’s form guide of late is a bit harsh on them. Despite there being a lot of big clubs in Brazil’s Serie A, this simply isn’t one of them so juggling Copa Sudamericana commitments with Serie A commitments has gone terribly – because they don’t have the depth to manage such. Things will improve now that Defensa y Justicia of Argentina have dumped them out of the Copa Sudamericana, and they’ll push away from the drop zone because of how tenacious they are. Don’t be fooled by their league placing, though – this is a very spirited team.

A classic example of such can be seen from their performance against Flamengo last time out, or rather their second-half performance. Flamengo are two or three times better than Bahia, and showed it in the first-half, going two goals up and easily controlling proceedings despite Gabriel Barbosa’s red card for giving the referee some serious shit. However, few teams at this level are stronger than Bahia mentally, and they came out fighting. They forced Flamengo into basic defensive errors for two goals, and Gilberto’s first goal from range was a thing of beauty – and suddenly they were 3-2 up. Now, Bahia can’t hold leads, and that allowed Flamengo back into the game with the reigning champions going on to claim what was the most fair outcome – a home win. Bahia have got balls though, and not many teams at this level can do what Flamengo can, so they should be encouraged more than disappointed by that display.

That game did come at a cost for Bahia though, with midfield regular Daniel seeing a late red card for sheer frustration on his part, meaning he’ll miss tonight’s game against Internacional. Fortunately, they’ve still got Rodriguinho, Saldanha, Elber, Rossi, and in-form Gilberto to make the difference in the final third. Bahia play very fluid attacking football, and despite not possessing many great finishers, do tend to score goals because of it. They’re hard to keep up with, Bahia, and hard to stop too. This team will seldom leave games without scoring for that reason, even if the result does not favour them. I expect more of the same tonight, even with Daniel out.

Internacional are the better team here but I do find myself questioning whether they’ve got enough upstairs or not to deal with the marathon ahead of them. The Porto-Alegrense side hasn’t lost away from home against Bahia since 2013, and I’m not convinced that they’ll lose tonight either. However, they’ve been a bit too sloppy lately, Internacional, and that’s why I am hesitant about backing or opposing them. It’s that old inconsistency issue that is creeping back into their side, and I don’t get it, not after such a ridiculously strong start to their Serie A campaign.

Since losing Fuchs to CSKA Moscow, their defence has been walking on eggshells, and I get that. He was seriously important to that back four, and they have conceded far too regularly without the centre-back. Their attack is powerful though, and that should see them through more games than it generally does. I mean, I don’t care how old club legend D’Alessandro is; he’s still a sheer class act when it comes to creating chances. Thiago Galhardo has been one of the best players in the division this season since his transfer from Ceara, leaving many wondering why they hell Vasco da Gama sold him in the first place. Those two and Patrick have ran the show for Internacional this season, which is handy because Boschilia, who was brought in to do that, has disappointed with his inconsistent displays and injuries. 

Their forwards are very good, and they should be too, given how much money they’ve spent on Guerrero, Hernandez, and Fernandez over time, although ironically it’s wonderkid Yuri Alberto that has scored the most goals up front for them this season. They’ve got everything in an attacking sense though, Internacional – height, power, speed, finesse, and brilliant creators. Only the ultra defensive teams have a chance of containing them, and Bahia most definitely do not fit the bill there. Still, Internacional give teams chances against them, and Bahia know it; all of their last three meetings with Internacional have ended with both teams scoring, after all.

Bluntly put, I think we’re in for an interesting battle of wills here. Internacional have better players and more match-winners, but Bahia have an unrivalled mental strength. I’m not brave enough to pick a winner tonight, but backing both teams to score at evens makes a whole lot of sense to me.

Verdict: Both teams to score at evens.

Palmeiras vs RB Bragantino

KO: 21:15 (UK time)

I understand the bookies’ trepidation here, as tonight’s game against RB Bragantino is sandwiched between two Copa do Brasil games for Palmeiras, the first of which ended 1-1 against America MIneiro. Based on the line-up for the first leg though, it’s Serie A that Palmeiras are taking more seriously, and I think that makes sense. The Copa do Brasil is not considered to be a main goal of most Serie A teams, and Palmeiras are still hoping to be playing Copa Libertadores football next season so it makes sense to try and win tonight.

The likes of Luiz Adriano should return to the starting eleven tonight, and when they’re at full-strength, and focused on the game, Palmeiras have done very well under boss Ferreira. They were a bit of a joke before him, producing fragmented, lazy displays that were unrecognisable from the team that ran Flamengo as close as they did in the title race last season. Now, though? They look almost back to their best, scoring goals at will, and beating teams that they specifically focus on beating.

No, they don’t have the depth to juggle multiple competitions, hence their sketchy form guide, but they look like they’re focusing on Serie A now, and if that is indeed the case, then beating RB Bragantino at home should not be challenging. With Gabriel Veron, William, and Adriano in the equation in attack, Palmeiras will score goals, especially with in-form Raphael Veiga, de Paula, and Ze Rafael supporting. With Menino in charge of protecting the back four, and experienced internationals like Gomez in the defence, not to mention Weverton in net, Palmeiras have one of the best defensive setups in Brazil, not that I’d consider them a defensive team, per se. They’ve got the flexibility to play however they wish, Palmeiras – all they lack is depth.

How is a mostly young, immature RB Bragantino going to deal with such a team? In the years to come, I expect this Red Bull project to become very good and wholly positive for Brazilian football, just as it has been in the other countries around the world. For now though, there’s still a lot of new players in that squad, and a lot of them have not seen enough games at this level. Subsequently, despite impressive play in the final third, this team still ends up giving games away by not being decisive enough at either end of the pitch.

Absentees play a part, I suppose, but it’s more than that. It’s not a coincidence that they’ve already changed manager once this season, and may even do so again before the campaign is over as relegation is very much not on the Red Bull agenda for this project. They still need to find the right manager to get these talented youngsters playing good attacking football. For now, they still look a bit too wet behind the ears to be effective in such a tough away game though. Unless they’re lucky enough to come up against Palmeiras’ “B” team, I think they’ll lose tonight.

You’ll hear a lot more about Haydar, Thonny Anderson, Cuello, Alerrandro, and maybe even Claudinho in time to come. You may even see Lucas Evangelista come back to Europe after the season he’s had at RB Bragantino. For now though, they’re just players with potential. The consistency is not there, and the experience required to grind out wins in tough games simply isn’t there. Therefore, taking on veterans like Palmeiras away from home really does look beyond the visitors to me, and I almost feel compelled to back the home win at generous odds of 4/5.

Verdict: Palmeiras to win at 4/5.

Santos vs Ceara 

KO: 21:15 (UK time)

I’ve got to hand it to minnows Ceara; they’ve really pushed the boat out lately in their battle against the drop, enough so to potentially stand a chance of poaching a Copa Sudamericana place for next season. The cynic in me questions whether they’ve piqued too soon though, with another full month of football to be played before the nitty gritty. Still, I cannot deny that they’re playing very impressively, and they’re doing so with a very limited squad.

I think Ceara are doing all that they can, really. They’re only beating teams that are as bad as they are, or teams that have other priorities at the moment, but three points cannot be scoffed at at any time, and Ceara have still done well to win those matches. They’ve demonstrated tremendous heart, spirit, and belief – and I like that. Again though, I think Ceara have had those traits all season long. The only thing that changed about them is that Ceara are now taking chances more regularly, which is something they seldom did earlier in the campaign.

Bizarrely, it’s not highly rated new arrival Vizeu that has made the difference, though – he’s been injured, for the most part. No, it’s Vinicius Goes in midfield that has carried the team. Saulo has contributed with goals from the bench, Cleber has led the line well, and even Lima has chipped in on occasion. It’s pleasing to see the growing maturity of Leonardo Chu, and club legend Ricardinho has played a big part in his development too, I’m sure. They all look that bit more confident so credit to Ferreira for that, and to the club for not sacking him when they had every reason to at the start of the season.

However, despite all of the positives – and there are many – I still think that overcoming Santos tonight is beyond them. They’re still without new forward Vizeu, club legend Ricardinho is injured, and they’ve still got a lower league defence in front of a forty-two year old goalkeeper. Against a team like Santos, their weaknesses are more likely to show than they are against the likes of Vasco da Gama or Fortaleza, you know? Again, I admire the confidence and togetherness they’ve exuded of late, Ceara, but it generally requires more than that to tackle such a powerhouse.

Ironically enough, I’m less impressed with the Santos squad now than I have been in years. I think it lacks depth, composure, and the ability to control games, although the latter still largely stems from Sanchez’s absence. However, Santos have been grinding out results this season because striker Marinho is carrying them as he’s in the form of his life. Honestly, he just needs one sight of goal to score at the moment. They’re lucky he’s done that though, because no matter how promising young forwards Kaio Jorge and Marcos Leonardo are, they’re not ‘there’ yet. Soteldo is a gifted playmaker but if there’s nobody to put the ball in the net, what difference does it make? Suffer no illusions, folks – Marinho has carried Santos this season, but he’s done it bloody well.

Santos have been distracted by a Copa Libertadores campaign, resting players for Serie A games whilst focusing on the continent. However, they’ve got a respite on that front as they don’t face Boca Juniors until January now so there’s no reason for them to rest players here. Therefore, I expect a strong side to be named, and when they do that in home games, they do tend to win. I can count the number of times they’ve deserved to win on just one hand this season because, like I said above, they don’t control games. They seldom look like they have plans to beat teams, you know? However, they still manage it because of Marinho.

Subsequently, I would not be surprised if Santos got outfought and out-thought by Ceara tonight. I really wouldn’t. In terms of displays, this is simply not a convincing team. However, when it comes to putting the ball in the net, Santos are far, far better at it than most at this level, which is courtesy of the natural emphasis that is placed upon attacking football at this prestigious club. They will take their chances, Santos, but will Ceara? I’m not so sure they can do that against a good team, even if that good team has seen better days.

Therefore, I’m expecting a somewhat undeserved but eventual home win for Santos tonight.

Verdict: Santos to win at 11/10.