Betfair Live Video: Criciuma look to punish a Love-less Flamengo

8Jun 2013

Betfair

It's a South American double header this Saturday evening, as Betfair Live Video brings you the best of the action from Argentina and Brazil. Lewis Watson takes a closer look...

Criciuma vs Flamengo

Saturday 20:20

The Heriberto Hulse stadium is the setting for this Saturday evening Serie A clash in Brazil, as the league's new boys look to continue their impressive start against a struggling Flamengo side yet to get their first victory on the board.

After finishing last season's Serie B in second place, former boss Paulo Comelli took the Tigers to the promise land of Brazilian football, only to be replaced this campaign by established top flight manager Vadao in March.

Since then, with two wins and two losses under their belt, Criciuma have had a surprisingly solid start to the campaign, which notably sees them unbeaten and untested at home.

Earning the mantle of last season's top scorers in Serie B helped the promotion push indefinitely last year, as teams were punished by Criciuma's rampant strike force. However, now that last season's golden boot winner Ze Carlos has made the move East to Chinese side Changchun Yatai, filling the boots that tucked away 27 goals last campaign is going to be a tough ask for the Tigers front line.

After a mid-table finish last season, Flamengo have yet to get going this campaign. Without a win and only two points on the board, Jorginho's boys are sat second from bottom having played a game more than stragglers Atletico Mineiro.

Although it is far too early to condemn the visitors to a season of struggles, the loss of their deadly striker Vagner Love back to CSKA Moscow has certainly upset the balance amongst the side.

With thirteen goals last campaign, Love topped the Flamengo goal-scoring charts and contributed to over a third of their goals. Alarm bells will no doubt be sounding considering that the Mengao scored only one more goal than the lowest scoring side of last season with 37.

In a nervy encounter so early on in the season, expect few goals in this one as both teams take a while to suss out the opposition's motives. However, a late goal from the hosts could leave the visitors wondering if it's a case of 'All you need is Love'.

Godoy Cruz vs Tigre
Saturday 22:10

Godoy Cruz welcome Tigre to the Estadio Malvinas Argentinas this Saturday evening hoping to make a last minute dash for the table's summit, lying only five points off leaders Newell's.

Godoy have had a solid Final campaign. After finishing a disappointing fourteenth in the Torneo Inicial, inexperienced coach Martin Palermo knew that improvements were needed in order to stand a chance of making the Championship Final at the end of June.

Sitting in fifth spot on 27 points, the men from Mendoza will not have given up the ghost on the hunt for first spot in the league - although being well aware that dropped points from their rivals are a necessity in the remaining three games.

Argentine stalwart Mauro Obolo has once again proved his worth this season at the age of 31. With ten goals this campaign, including six in the Torneo Final, the striker has played a huge role in the rise of the hosts since the turn of Christmas.

An ever present in the starting eleven, Obolo has been the standout force in the Tomba's front line, with strike partner Facundo Castillon failing to improve on his lacklustre first season at Godoy.

Visitors Tigre have had an uninspiring campaign. After recording only one win in the Torneo Inicial, improvements have been seen in the second half of the season - but only minimal. Nestor Gorosito's side sit fifteenth in the Torneo Final, with the only saving grace being that they are pretty much assured to avoid relegation.

After getting a few wins under their belt, the Matadores haven't stood a chance against any of the Argentinean league's bulls in recent weeks, recording only one win in seven outings - and it's clear where the problem lies.

Conceding the most goals so far in the Torneo Final with 27, coupled with the 27 conceded in the Inicial, the visitors have leaked goals far too often at crucial stages of the season. With three games remaining, pride is at stake from the Victoria based side, as well as an incentive of a possible top half finish if they can claim seven points from their remaining fixtures.

Expect form to prevail in this fixture, seeing the home side romp to a comfortable victory up against a less than convincing back four.