Football Bet of the Day: Vasco to explore ways of getting a result

Palmeiras v Vasco Da Gama
Saturday 27 July, 21:00

We were struck a painful blow last night, as we were just four minutes plus stoppage time away from seeing our lay of [1.55] favourites Waterford come off. Sadly, the visitors netted an 86th-minute winner in a 2-1 success at UCD. I haven’t hated the name Waterford this much since The Handmaid’s Tale.

Bruised but unbroken, we move on to Brazil. Serie A leaders Palmeiras are facing a Vasco Da Gama team that’s just above the dropzone, but a big home win may not be the slam-dunk it first appears.

Palmeiras have a 100% home record, and haven’t conceded a goal at home yet, but they have hit a sticky patch elsewhere. They were dumped out of the Copa do Brasil on penalties by Internacional, they have dropped five points in their last two league games, and they drew 2-2 at Godoy Cruz in the Copa Libertadores.

Meanwhile, Vasco have been steadily improving under experienced coach Vanderlei Luxemburgo, and they have won three of their last four league games. Their away form is poor, but they have tightened up in the last few road matches, drawing at Fortaleza and only suffering one-goal defeats at Gremio and Botafogo.

It’s the margin of victory that interests us here. If we back Vasco +1.0 & +1.5 on the Asian Handicap, we make a profit as long as Vasco don’t lose by two goals or more. Palmeiras have key midfielder Felipe Melo suspended, and they aren’t in good form. I’ll back Vasco to keep this close.