The Brazilian Serie A is just eight games old, but two teams have already shown they will challenge for the league title this season.
Santos are one of those sides having secured 17 points from a possible 24 already this term. Manager Jorge Sampaoli has led his side to second place in the league table with just five points separating it from first-place Palmeiras.
Corinthians are five points and seven places in the table behind Santos. Manager Fabio Carille’s team has collected 12 points from 24 possible. Despite losing just once, Corinthians have struggled to turn their draws into victories.
The People’s Team go into their midweek fixture against Santos undefeated in their last six fixtures. All six fixtures were low on scoring with Corinthians’ matches finishing with under 2.5 goals scored. Carille watched his side draw nil-nil at the weekend against rival Cruzeiro.
Santos have won back to back matches in the Brazilian Serie A with their most recent victory coming against Atletico MG at the weekend. Santos emerged 3-1 winners in the fixture easily dispatching the league’s third-place team.
Despite Santos’ three goal splurge, their matches have been low scoring affairs in recent weeks. Just three of their last six games have seen over 2.5 goals scored.
Sampaoli has made his team difficult to beat at its Vila Belmiro ground. Santos have recorded a 3W-1D-0L mark at home while scoring eight goals and conceding just twice. They have kept two clean sheets in four matches at home.
Corinthians have been good on the road thus far. Carille’s side has posted a 1W-2D-1L record on its travels. Since losing their first away match of the season, Corinthians have improved, but goals have been in short supply. They are just +1 in goal difference on the road.
Santos and Corinthians have already played four times in 2019 thanks friendlies and regional cup matches. Santos have posted a 1W-2D-1L record in 2019 against Corinthians. The two sides have scored three goals apiece in their four matches thus far.
The home team has dominated matches between Santos and Corinthians in recent seasons. These teams play a lot courtesy of the league, region tournament, and cup matches.
The last 14 matches between Santos and Corinthians have either ended in a home victory or draw. Nine of those 14 games have ended in either a Santos victory or draw. Twelve of the 14 fixtures ended with under 2.5 goals scored.
The midweek match between Santos and Corinthians should continue the trend of home victories and low-scoring matches. Expect another Santos victory and under 2.5 goals scored.