Against All Odds: Botafogo's struggles to continue in Brazil

Botafogo haven't been able to replicate last year's success

Paul Robinson is focusing on top flight action from Brazil tonight as he feels Botafogo are too short for the visit of Vitoria.

Botafogo finished in fourth place last season but it's been a less than auspicious start to this campaign for them, and manager, Eduardo Hungaro, paid the price this month having only been appointed as successor to the out-going, Oswaldo de Oliveira, in January.

Former Atletico PR boss, Vgner Mancini, has been the man tasked with turning things around but the club have lost their two matches since he was appointed. They were both away from home though and he will be hoping for an improved performance in front of their own fans tonight.

While 'Fogo' beat Criciuma 6-0 in their last home match - their only league win this season - I'm not overly confident about them getting the job done against Vitoria as it's hard to suddenly turn it on after a run of poor results. It's also worth noting that they've won just two of their last eight at home in all competitions.

Vitoria had a wonderful season last year as after earning promotion back to Serie A for the first time since 2010, they finished in fifth place, narrowly missing out on qualifying for the Copa Libertadores. That was under, Ney Franco, though and he quit the club this month to return to his former employers, Flamengo.

Jorginho is the man 'Leo da Barra' have chosen to stabilise the club and he's got a bit of work to do as they've lost their last two matches - both at home. Those defeats did come against Palmeiras and Atletico Mineiro though and they are amongst the better teams in the division.

This will be a tough away trip for Vitoria but it is worth noting that they've already drawn at Bahia and won at Fluminense this term, and last year, they ended their campaign by avoided defeat in eight of their last 10 on the road.

It's a game that's hard to call as both teams have a new manager at the helm, but all things considered, with Botafogo trading at around the 1.824/5 mark, I have to make them my lay of the day.  

Recommended Bet
Lay Botafogo RJ v Vitoria BA @ 1.824/5 

2014 P/L (1pt each bet)

Wagered: 141 pts
Returned: 153.66 pts
P/L: + 12.66 pts (after commission)
(2013 P/L: + 3.80 pts)
(2012 P/L: + 9.60 pts)