Nova Iguaçu vs Vasco da Gama Prediction: Vasco seeks to return to winning ways after controversial game

The match between Bangu and Vasco in the last round of Carioca was marked by controversial refereeing decisions in a game that ended in a 2-2 draw. In a contest when Vasco was reduced to ten players due to Jair's dismissal after 4 minutes, Bangu equalized in the 106th minute with a dubious penalty. Following protests from Vasco da Gama after the match, it was decided that there would be VAR in all the games involving the big clubs. The use of VAR was only planned for classic matches and from the semi-finals onwards. After so much controversy, it's up to the Cruzmaltino to focus on the next game to try and improve on its current fourth place.

The Baixada's Clockwork Orange didn't put up much of a fight against Fluminense in its last match. After a good start to the championship, Nova Iguaçu was expected to do a bit more. Still, it showed weaknesses at the back and ended up losing 3-0 against a Fluminense secondary side. The team is in sixth place with seven points from four rounds and will look for a change against Vasco da Gama. Nova Iguaçu won't be playing in its home stadium, but in Uberlândia to generate more revenue.

More serious than conceding a draw after 106 minutes, however unfair and controversial it may have been, is Paulinho's injury. Vasco's central midfielder suffered a knee ligament injury and is expected to recover in eight months. It's a big loss for the Cruzmaltino, as he's a key Ramón Díaz team member. The side has another away game coming up and must react if it wants to avoid losing fourth place. Only the top four teams qualify for the semi-finals, and as the competition only has 11 matches, it's important not to lose ground on the qualification places.

Vasco's next game is against Flamengo, and we'll see how the players approach this match against Nova Iguaçu. Coach Ramón Díaz will certainly want to settle the game quickly so that he can rest some players for the weekend's classic. The odds for a Double Chance in favor of Nova Iguaçu are attractive, so I'll take my chances with this bet. A draw could happen if Vasco isn't completely focused on this game.