Saturday 15 July predictions: Brazil’s top league leader takes to the pitch on the Italian night against Bragantino
The sudden change in the bench was immediately absorbed by Botafogo, who after 14 rounds lead the Brasileirao standings with 10 points ahead of the second.
At the helm, after Luis Castro’s farewell – the former Juventus coach accepted Cristiano Ronaldo’s offer from Al-Nassr, leaving the team during the current championship – there is another Portuguese, the former Wolverhampton Bruno Lage. Botafogo, however, continue to win: in the last seven days they have beaten Gremio in the Brasileirao and Patronato in the Copa Sudamericana, recording their third consecutive clean sheet. Their rock-solid defence, however, will be put to the test by one of the most in-form teams in Brazil’s top league, Bragantino: there is a good chance Botafogo will concede at least one goal.
Other match predictions
The major leagues of Sweden and Norway, Allsvenskan and Eliteserien, are also being played. In the Eliteserien, a revitalised Molde should beat Valerenga in the day’s early fixture, while in Sweden Vasteras are favourites against Utsiktens. Goal-hunters can keep an eye on the friendly matches between Crystal Palace and Feyenoord.
Winners
- Ilves (in Ilves-Mariehamn, Veikkausliga, 2pm)
- Halmstads or draw (in Halmstads-Varnamo, Allsvenskan, 15:00)
- Molde (in Valerenga-Molde, Eliteserien, 18:00)
Vasteras (in Vasteras-Utsiktens, Allsvenskan, 15:00)
The matches with at least three goals in total
- Degerfors-Sirius, Allsvenskan, 5.30pm)
- Hacken-Brommapojkarna, Allsvenskan, 17:30
- Cluj-Poli Iasi, Liga I Romania, 20:30