- Santos are 16th in Série A with 31 points, six ahead of 17th-placed Vitória, who are in the relegation zone with 25.
- Santos have won more than half of their 20 - 25 competitive meetings with Vitória.
Santos are on the up under Vojvoda
Our Santos FC Sao Paulo vs EC Vitoria prediction is that Santos should edge a tense relegation showdown with Vitoria on Tuesday when two inconsistent sides fight it out for the win in a Serie A six-pointer at Vila Belmiro.
Peixe are the favorites, at 1.77, to take the three points, which would widen their lead over the bottom four to six points. Vitoria, the battling heroes of the day, are the long shots at 4.89 with the draw at 3.68.
Jair Ventura has set his team up in a compact 4-3-3 system designed to be tough to score against, while also being able to spring a counter-attack from any transition. The Leao do Salgado have won one of their last five league games, losing four, as a leaky defence has undone their pragmatic tactics. Lucas Arcanjo has been reliable in goal, but the defence has been picked off in recent weeks and Vitória are not good enough to simply sit deep and defend against the better sides.
Ventura has made them more compact and better at extracting points from difficult games since his appointment in late September, but his side are not as proactive or organised as Santos, who are on the up under Juan Pablo Vojvoda. For further insights, refer to this Santos FC Sao Paulo vs EC Vitoria prediction as it highlights the strengths and weaknesses of both teams.
Vitoria are vulnerable to wide play and counter attacks
Peixe have won two of their last five games (W - D - D - L - W) and had an excellent result to boost their survival credentials with last week’s 3 - 1 home win over Corinthians. According to this Santos FC Sao Paulo vs EC Vitoria preview, midfielder Zé Rafael was the catalyst for their win, opening the scoring and driving transitions. Álvaro Barreal adds flair and scored a fine goal in their latest game, and Benjamín Rollheiser is a reliable penalty taker, showing composure in key moments.
Vitória have a number of players who can come to the fore on their day, such as Fabri and Osvaldo, but Renato Kayzer is their main attacking threat. However, Peixe’s high press and wing play should get plenty of joy against Vitória, who prefer to sit back and try to hit on the counter in open play and from set-pieces.
Vojvoda, appointed in August, has put a stamp on Santos with a high-pressing, wide-overload and quick-transition game. This Santos FC Sao Paulo vs EC Vitoria prediction is also reinforced by the fact that they have been more positive in the final third in their recent games and Gabriel Brazão has been keeping them in tight games, even if they are conceding regularly.
Both teams to score is a good bet
Both Santos and Vitoria have been leaking goals of late, which is why Both Teams To Score is the favorite at 1.71. The Santos FC Sao Paulo vs EC Vitoria betting tips suggest it looks a smart move with both sides conceding regularly and needing to push to get the result that will put them in a much better position in the Serie A survival fight.
Both Santos and Vitoria have been in poor form recently and this could be close and tense, but the home crowd should roar their team to victory in this rain-soaked battle if they can match their best efforts from last Saturday’s win over Corinthians. The Santos FC Sao Paulo vs EC Vitoria prediction is strengthened by their record against Vitoria being good and the coach has got them playing in a more organised and positive manner, so we will take Santos to claim the victory in the 90 minutes.
