SC Recife PEvsEC Vitoria BA

Recent Form and Team Dynamics

Sport Recife is currently navigating through turbulent waters, with a string of poor performances that have left them without a win in their last 11 games. Their recent 1-2 loss to Náutico in the Pernambucano tournament further highlights their struggles. The team has been inconsistent, with a mix of wins and losses in the Brazilian Serie B, and their home form is particularly concerning, having not won in their last six home matches. Key players like Gustavo Coutinho and Lucas Lima have shown flashes of brilliance, but the team as a whole has struggled to find cohesion and consistency.

EC Vitoria's Resilience and Challenges

EC Vitoria, on the other hand, has shown resilience despite finishing 11th in the 2024 Brazil Serie A season. Their recent performances have been a mixed bag, with notable victories against Porto BA and EC Juventude RS, but also some setbacks. Their away form has been less than stellar, with only one win in 16 away matches. However, they have a psychological edge over Sport Recife, having not lost to them in their last five encounters. Players like Wagner Leonardo and Alerrandro have been pivotal, and recent loan signings are expected to bolster their defense.

Head-to-Head and Tactical Insights

Historically, EC Vitoria has had the upper hand in this matchup, winning 11 out of the last 23 meetings. The most common result between these two teams is a 0-1 victory for Vitoria, which has occurred five times. Sport Recife's defense has been leaky, conceding in each of their last 11 matches, while Vitoria has also struggled to keep clean sheets away from home. Both teams have shown a tendency to score late in matches, with Recife scoring 24% of their goals between the 76th and 90th minutes, and Vitoria scoring 24% between the 61st and 75th minutes.

Prediction and Conclusion

Given the current form and historical data, EC Vitoria is likely to edge out a victory in this encounter. Sport Recife's home struggles and Vitoria's psychological advantage in head-to-head matchups tip the scales in favor of the visitors. However, both teams' defensive vulnerabilities suggest that both teams are likely to score. Expect a closely contested match with Vitoria emerging victorious, possibly with a 2-1 scoreline.