Against All Odds: America MG to continue unbeaten run

11Jun 2013

Betfair

America MG travel to Avai in the second tier of Brazilian football at 01:50 tonight and despite the hosts being odds-on, the in-form Paul Robinson thinks the away side can get a positive result.

Avai warmed up for their Serie B campaign by reaching the semi-finals of the Catarinense One - losing to Serie A's Criciuma on away goals. They managed to put that behind them to go undefeated in their first three league games though. Following an opening day draw at Oeste, Avai won their next two and looked like potential promotion challengers. Back to back defeats have since left a few question marks over that challenge - especially the 0-2 loss at home to Joinville on Saturday.

Manager Ricardinho will be hoping his side can put that right back on home soil tonight as they did have an excellent record at Estádio da Ressacada last term. They lost just three of their 19 fixtures, drawing two and winning the other 14. Interestingly though, these two teams met in the Copa do Brasil in May and while Avai won the away leg 1-0, America MG won 3-0 in Avai's backyard to progress.

America MG are three places higher in the table than their opponents at this early stage after picking up nine points from a possible 15. After losing their initial two matches they've since bounced back to win their last three - two of which were away from home - one being at the newly relegated Palmeiras.

Head Coach Paulo Comelli will take heart from the fact that they've conceded only two goals on their travels in 270 minutes of action, which is quite an achievement in this league. If they can keep it tight at the back later on then they'll surely be in with a great chance of getting a result as Avai's defence looks decidedly dodgy having shipped a total of nine goals thus far.

This looks a very even contest on paper and the 3-0 victory by America MG at Avai last month can't be overlooked. That's why, with Avai trading at around the 1.97 mark, I have to make them my lay of the day.

Recommended Bet
Lay Avai v America MG @ 1.97