Against All Odds: Internacional to struggle in Brazil

It's been a thumbs up season for Internacional so far

Paul Robinson turns his attentions to Brazil tonight as he thinks that Figueirense can take something from their trip to Internacional.

Internacional v Figueirense
Sunday September 7, 22:30 BST

Internacional are flying high in second place at the midway point in the season but they trail leaders, Cruzeiro, by eight points and are only four ahead of Fluminense who are sixth. Nevertheless, second is a good place to be as the top three earn automatic qualification into next year's Copa Libertadores, and they only finished 13th last term.

Abel Braga has returned to the club with who he has had notable success with in the past. During his spell between 2006 and 2008 they won the Copa Libertadores and the FIFA Club World Cup. While they might not get to that level now, 'Colorado' at least come into this game in decent form. They've lost just one of their last five, but it is worth noting that they exited the Copa Sudamericana in the week and the trip up north to Salvador would have taken something out of the players as well.

Figueirense are another club who have been revitalised under a new manager as while they earned promotion last season with Vincius Eutrpio at the helm, he exited after beginning life in the top flight with back to back defeats. Guto Ferreira was then appointed but he lasted less than three months with the team having just seven points from a possible 33.

The unfortunately named, Argel Fucks, is the man who's turned things around as after beginning his reign with a 5-0 hammering at Cruzeiro, he has since gone undefeated in his next six. Victories over Sport Recife, Chapecoense, Botafogo and Vitoria added to draws with Atletico Mineiro and Sao Paulo.

Two of those victories came away from home and 'The Fig Tree' have now won three of their last four on the road - keeping clean sheets in all three. There's no hiding from the fact that this is a tough assignment but they are on a high right now. That's why, with Internacional trading at around the 1.564/7 mark, I have to make them my lay of the day.

Recommended Bet
Lay Internacional v Figueirense @ 1.564/7

2014 P/L (1pt each bet)

Wagered: 240 pts
Returned: 246.55 pts
P/L: + 6.55 pts (after commission)
(2013 P/L: + 3.80 pts)
(2012 P/L: + 9.60 pts)