Palmeiras should retain the top spot

 Palmeiras should

retain the top spot

R500,000 BOOST FROM TAB FOR TWO SOCCER 10 POOLS

By Mark Gleeson

Copa Libertadores ties in midweek confirmed Brazil’s dominance in South American football and while the quarter-finals of the continent’s leading club competition are only scheduled for next month, they do have some bearing on this weekend’s Serie A league fixtures.

Most notable is that Corinthians and Flamengo advanced from midweek last-16 ties to set up a two-legged quarter-final clash in early August. They have a dress rehearsal in Serie A this weekend that will not only offer an opportunity to lay down a marker for their forthcoming cup tie but is also important in the Brazilian league-title race.

Corinthians are in fourth spot in Serie A and only three points adrift of leaders Palmeiras, who suffered a surprise reversal in the league last weekend but then scored seven goals in an emphatic win in the Copa Libertadores on Wednesday night.

Flamengo were many people’s favourite for Brazilian Serie A success at the start of the season and took former Portugal international Paulo Sousa from his job as Poland coach to lead their challenge. Unfortunately it did not pan out and they fired him just months later after a miserable start to the year.

Doriva Junior has taken over as coach and the fortunes of Brazil’s most popular team are back on the rise. They are up to eighth in the standings with the leaders only eight points away.

Flamengo have won their last five games in a row against Corinthians, three at home and two away, and scored 14 goals in winning the last four.

Palmeiras’ position at the top should not change, given they are away at bottom-placed Fortaleza on Sunday and should win.

Athletico Paranaense, who beat Palmeiras last Sunday, are only two points back in second place, but will have it tough a struggling Goais tomorrow.

In Major League Soccer in the USA, there has been a churn at the top of the Eastern Conference over the last weeks with four different clubs enjoying time at the top.

It could change again as New York Red Bulls have a tough away match against Cincinnati FC on Saturday, while Montreal are expected to win at home to Sporting Kansas City. Both these clashes are included in Saturday’s R250,000-added Soccer 10, which should total over R2 million and could pay big!

Don’t forget that tonight’s Soccer 10 also starts with R250,000 cash added by TAB . The pool closes at 20:45 so there’s plenty of time to get your bet on.