Against All Odds: Santos to begin new era with goals

5Jun 2013

Betfair

Criciuma take on a Neymar-less Santos in the Brazilian Campeonato tonight and Paul Robinson thinks that those who stay up late for the 23:30 kick off will be rewarded with at least three goals.

Criciuma have made a solid start to life in the top flight after finishing as runners up in Serie B last term. They won their opening game of the season, 3-1 against Bahia, and while they've lost their last two at Internacional and Fluminense, they are back on home soil tonight.

As far as the goals go, Vadão's side have seen two of their first three go over 2.5 and while they failed to score in their last two, they are usually reliable for at least one at Estádio Heriberto Hülse. Nicknamed 'Tiger' Criciuma have racked up 28 goals in their last 10 at home in all competitions, including an 8-0 mauling of Juventus SC.

Santos begin life after Neymar following his move to Barcelona earlier in the week, but in truth, he's not contributed much to the team in recent times - no goals in his last eight appearances for the Sao Paulo based outfit. Obviously he will be a big miss but they have other players who can find the net.

Last year's 12th placed finishers are struggling this season after picking up just two points from a possible nine. That has left them in 15th and while they've only lost once, caretaker boss Claudinei Oliveira will be desperate for his side to get a win under their belts sooner rather than later.

A trip to a newly promoted club represents a decent chance for a first victory of the 2013 Serie A campaign for Santos and they will take hope from the fact that they have scored in 16 of their last 17 away from Estádio Urbano Caldeira in all competitions.

I think we'll be in for plenty of goals here so with under 2.5 trading around the 1.92 mark, I have to make it my lay of the day.