Bragantino Red Bull
- Bragantino Red Bull have been struggling for results recently, winning two and losing three of their last five matches.
- Mancini’s ‘Red Bull’ model has been based around high-tempo play, high off-the-ball pressing and an advanced defensive line, with the aim of playing an aggressive possession game, often at full throttle, while suffocating opponents with a relentless pressing structure.
- However, despite these principles, Bragantino have struggled in recent matches, losing their two most recent games, the most recent being a disappointing 1-0 defeat to Venezuela’s Carabobo FC in this competition.
Blooming
- Blooming are in good form, having won two, drawn two, and lost just one of their last five.
- Blooming’s boss Mauricio Soria comes from a school of philosophy which prioritizes structure and discipline above all else.
- The Bolivians will look to keep things simple, be compact and well-organised, and hit Bragantino Red Bull on the counter.
- Blooming have shown some resolve in their recent run of results, drawing their previous two games, and have scored eight goals in their three matches in all competitions.
- Blooming are not a natural goal-scoring team, however, and we feel their chances will be limited against Bragantino’s defence.
- Blooming have yet to win on the road in their most recent two matches (D1, L1), while Bragantino Red Bull have won one and lost one of their two home matches in the same period.
- The hosts have experience at this level and more squad depth, but Blooming have found their rhythm under Soria recently and should keep things close for a while.
Key Players
- Lucas Barbosa has been in good goalscoring form for Bragantino, notching two of their last six goals, and will be a constant threat to Blooming’s defense on Friday.
- Antony Vasquez scored in Blooming’s opener in the Copa Sudamericana, while Moises Villarroel, who will provide the creative spark, provided an assist in the same fixture.
- Blooming’s organisation and discipline should see them limit Bragantino’s chances, while their own in-form attack, particularly Bayron Garces, who has scored four goals in his last five, could hurt on the transition.
Betting Insights
The odds for ‘ Both teams to score - No ’ are 1.6 , and ‘ Over 2.5 goals ’ is 1.65 , which means we’re expecting the home side to come out on top in a game that could have a few goals.
