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·3 July 2024
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·3 July 2024
Bastos: Good for fouls
Cuiaba v BotafogoWednesday 3 July, 23:00
There's no Euro 2024 or Copa America action on Wednesday as teams prepare for the quarter-finals so it's off to Brazil's top flight, which continues against the backdrop of the latter event.
With the longer shots simply not coming in at the moment in this column, it's time to try a shorter-priced option.And the angle to take here looks to be to back Botafogo fouls - they are the highest-fouling team in Serie A. For the record, Cuiaba are mid-table when it comes to being fouled.
I did consider cards - both sides are in the top four on that front - but referee Paulo Cesar Zanovelli da Silva isn't the best for going to his notebook. He is, however, above average when it comes to fouls per game.
With this in mind, I'm going to put a player fouls treble together, largely using the data.
Defender Bastos is the first name on the list - he's committed a foul in nine of his last 10 starts.
Centre-back partner Lucas Halter has delivered on the same bet in eight of his last 10.
The pair look like to face centre-forward Isidro Pitta, while Railan and Derik Lacerda will cut in from wide areas - if they stick with the same team which drew with Red Bull Bragantino last time out and is now unbeaten in five. All are among Cuiaba's most-fouled players.
Midfielder Luiz Henrique also gets the nod - he's committed a foul in eight of his last 10 starts.
The 1+ foul treble pays around 6/4 which would be a welcome winner.
However, for those seeking something bigger - and I know many will want that option - why not try backing the trio for 2+ fouls each which takes the price up above 13/1?
All three have decent records for landing this with Bastos having managed it in three of his last five outings.Halter has delivered in six of his last 10 and Henrique in five of his last eight.
Yes, it's a long shot but perhaps not as long as the odds suggest.
Botafogo committed 23 fouls in their last game, away to Vasco da Gama, who have been fouled almost exactly as often as Cuiaba across the season so far.
Let's try three-quarters of the stake on the 1+ fouls bet and the other quarter on 2+.
Back Bastos, Lucas Halter & Luiz Henrique to commit 1+ foul each @ around 6/4Back Bastos, Lucas Halter & Luiz Henrique to commit 2+ fouls each @ around 13/1
Staked: 299pts Returned: 320.31pts P/L: +21.31pts
2022/23 P/L: +68.69pts