The Brasileiro Serie A returns with a fresh set of fixtures as Vasco da Gama and Internacional square off at the Estádio São Januário on Thursday. While the home side have suffered a slump in form of late, Roger Machado’s men have enjoyed solid late-season form as they eye a top-five finish.
Vasco da Gama were condemned to consecutive defeats for the first time since July as they were thrashed 3-0 by Fortaleza a fortnight ago. Rafael Paiva’s side have failed to win seven of their most recent nine Serie A matches, losing four and claiming three draws since the first week of August.
With 43 points from 33 matches, Vasco da Gama are currently ninth in the league standings, four points off seventh-placed Cruzeiro in the final Copa Libertadores playoff spot.
On the other hand, Internacional turned in an impressive team display last time out when they picked up a 2-0 victory over Fluminense at the Estádio José Pinheiro Borda.
Machado’s men have gone 14 straight games without defeat in Serie A, claiming 10 wins and four draws since a 1-0 loss against Atletico Goianiense on August 18.
Internacional have picked up 59 points from 33 league games to sit fifth in the table, level on points with fourth-placed Flamengo and nine off leaders Botafogo with five games to go.
Vasco da Gama vs Internacional Head-To-Head and Key Numbers
- With 17 wins from the last 16 meetings between the sides, Internacional boast a superior record in the history of this fixture.
- Vasco da Gama have picked up 11 wins in that time, while the spoils have been shared on five occasions.
- Internacional are on a run of six back-to-back Serie A away matches without defeat, claiming three wins and three draws since a the 1-0 defeat at Atletico Goianiense in August.
- Vasco da Gama are unbeaten in 14 of their last 15 home games across all competitions, claiming nine wins and five draws since June.
Vasco da Gama vs Internacional Prediction
While Internacional have their sights set on securing an automatic Copa Libertadores ticket, Vasco da Gama will be looking to finish in the coveted final playoff spot.
Given the stakes of the game, we expect both sides to go all out on Thursday, with Machado’s men coming out on top at the Estádio São Januário.
Prediction: Vasco da Gama 1-2 Internacional
Vasco da Gama vs Internacional Betting Tips
Tip 1: Result - Internacional to win
Tip 2: First to score - Internacional (The visitors have opened the scoring in four of their last five games against Vasco da Gama)
Tip 3: Over 10.5 corners - No (There have been fewer than 11 corner kicks in Internacional’s last five outings)