Sampaio Corrêa-RJ vs Vasco da Gama Prediction: The giant Vasco takes on a small club

Vasco da Gama has won the Campeonato Carioca 24 times making it the third club with the most state titles in Rio, behind Flamengo and Fluminense. The Cruzmaltino will try again to become Carioca champion after seven years of drought and four years without reaching the final. The last four finals were contested between Flamengo and Fluminense, something that should torment any Vasco fan.

There is another club in Brazil with the same name, but it belongs to the state of Maranhão rather than Rio de Janeiro. The Maranhão club is better placed, having been relegated to the Série C, while the next Vasco opponent in Round 2 of the Carioca doesn't even play in a national league. Sampaio Corrêa-RJ is a small club making its debut in Rio de Janeiro's top flight. Any point gained in this game will be celebrated with delight by its fans.

The Giant beat Boavista 2-0 in Round 1, starting well the competition. The team fielded a younger squad as the first team is currently in pre-season training in Uruguay. Flamengo and Botafogo played with some key players in their Carioca debuts, while Vasco decided to play friendly matches abroad, leaving the early rounds of the Carioca to test youngsters. What Vasco da Gama is doing is a common practice at the start of this competition. The team that Cruzmaltino will field in Round 2 will again be a secondary team.

Despite Vasco presenting a secondary team, the youngsters who will take the field undoubtedly have the talent to win. Sampaio Corrêa is a small club that can't even play in its stadium, which is being improved. I'm betting on Vasco da Gama but in a Double Chance mode with at least two goals scored in the match. Sampaio Corrêa's players will put up a great fight, so I prefer to keep the possibility of a draw open.