Sao Paulo vs Vasco da Gama Prediction

The Brazilian A is heating up, and with only a few weeks left of the 2024 season, both Sao Paulo and Vasco da Gama will be looking to finish their campaigns strongly. Sao Paulo are currently in fifth spot, one position off automatic qualification for the Libertadores Group Stage. Vasco da Gama are a way off the Libertadores, but are in a strong position to qualify for the Copa Sudamericana in 10th.

Key Stats

• Sao Paulo have won 14 of their 29 games so far this season
• They are 13 points off the league leaders, which means that winning the league is almost out of the question
• Vasco da Gama could drop four places if they lose and the teams around them win
• Their goal difference is -6, which is worse than many teams below them

Sao Paulo vs Vasco da Gama Previews, Form and Players to Watch

The Brazilian top flight is so competitive, that every game matters, even at this late stage of the season. Unlike in the Premier League, where there are a few teams who are ‘on the beach’ after just half the season, the teams in the Brazilian league are quite evenly matched and so even a game between fifth and 10th at this stage is important for both sides.

Sao Paulo Preview

Sao Paulo Predicted Lineup - Rafael; Wellington, Alan Franco, Robert Arboleda, Rafinha; Luiz Gustavo, Igor Liziero; Lucas Moura, Luciano de Rocha Neves, Wellington Rato; Jonathan Calleri

Sao Paulo will be without midfielder Damian Bobadilla as he is on international duty with Paraguay. Instead it is likely that Igor Liziero will step in to fill the gap. The club’s form has been very up and down lately, with the last five games alternating between a win and a loss. Last time out, they were beaten 2-0 by Cuiaba, who are struggling near the bottom of the league.

Luciano de Rocha Neves, also known as just Luciano, has been particularly prolific in a number 10 role this season, but generally, the goals tend to get shared around between him, Jonathan Calleri and former Spurs winger Lucas Moura.

Vasco da Gama Preview

Vasco da Gama Predicted Lineup - Leo Jardim; Lucas Piton, Maicon, Joao Victor, Leadnrinho; Juan Sforza, Hugo Moura; Emerson Rodriguez, Dimitri Payet, Maxime Dominguez; Pablo Vegetti

Vasco da Gama haven’t won in the league since the beginning of September. Since then, they have drawn three games 1-1 and lost one 1-0 to Palmeiras. Their squad has quite a few ex-Premier League ballers including Dimitri Payet and Phillipe Coutinho however their team as a whole has less quality than Sao Paulo.

The club’s main attacking threat is Pablo Vegetti, who has scored 19 goals this season, 12 more than anyone else at the club. The Argentine has been at the club for just over a year after he joined from Belgrano in August 2024.

Head to Head Stats - Sao Paulo vs Vasco da Gama

Sao Paulo were soundly beaten when the two sides met earlier this year, but before then, the home side hadn’t lost since 2020. Their 0-0 draw last year was the first time that this fixture has ended goalless since 2011.

23rd Jun 2024 - Vasco da Gama 4-1 Sao Paulo - Serie A

7th Oct 2023 - Vasco da Gama 0-0 Sao Paulo - Serie A

20th May 2023 - Sao Paulo 4-2 Vasco da Gama - Serie A

5th Aug 2021 - Vasco da Gama 1-2 Sao Paulo - Copa do Brasil

29th Jul 2021 - Sao Paulo 2-0 Vasco da Gama - Copa do Brasil

Betting Tips for Sao Paulo vs Vasco da Gama

Neither team are particularly in form right now, but Sao Paulo have tasted victory more recently. They have a strong squad with a mixture of youth and experience, while Vasco da Gama are leaning into the experience a bit more. Add that to the injuries that they currently have to contend with, and it isn’t looking too good for them.

With all of this in mind, our team of professional experts have decided that the best tip for this game is for Sao Paulo to Win and Over 1.5 Goals. Odds of 153/100 on Highbet means that a £10 bet could see a potential return of £25.30.

(odds subject to change)

Final Prediction

Sao Paulo 3-1 Vasco da Gama

Elsewhere in the Brazilian top flight, Fortaleza host Atletico Mineiro.