Portuguesa vs RB Bragantino Prediction: Red Bull must win after opening defeat

Despite having only won the Paulistão once in 1990 and not having the dimension of the clubs from the state capital, RB Bragantino finished the Brasileirão in sixth place, therefore, has legitimate aspirations to go far in the competition. Pedro Caixinha's team lost at home in Round 1, so it'll head to the Canindé to pick up three points.

Associação Portuguesa de Desportos was founded in 1920 by merging five clubs linked to the Portuguese community in São Paulo. The club has a lot of tradition, but its decline is undeniable. Portuguesa has won 3 Campeonato Paulista titles, the last in 1973, but is not playing in any national division, making it a unique case in the Paulistão. In Round 1, after trailing 2-1 to Inter de Limeira, the Lusa managed to score in the 84th and 95th minutes to turn the result around and win 3-2 in an excellent away victory. The team will be motivated against RB Bragantino.

The Massa Bruta suffered a home defeat to Água Santa, again failing to overcome the club that had knocked it out in the semi-finals of the last Campeonato Paulista. Pedro Caixinha's team shot 25 times against just three from Água Santa but couldn't avoid a 1-0 defeat. Last year, Bragantino lost 3-0 away to Portuguesa in a surprising result. The team from Bragança Paulista is aware of the importance of getting three points after the loss in Round 1.

Bragantino is the favorite for this match because, besides naturally having better players, the defeat in its opening game in the Campeonato Paulista forces the Red Bull team to win. Portuguesa won away from home in the first game and is confident also because it beat RB Bragantino 3-0 the previous year. As there have already been several surprises in Paulistão, I will bet on a Double Chance for Bragantino with at least two goals scored in the match.