Vasco da Gama vs Santos
Stadium: São Januário
31.03.2025, 00:30
After an unprecedented relegation in 2023, Santos only needed a year to return to the Série A and join the elite. The Fish made the most eye-catching signing of the season by signing Neymar, the great star of Brazilian football over the last decade. Santos' first game is against Vasco at the São Januário, one of the league's most difficult stadiums to visit.
Get Your Welcome Bonus!Vasco da Gama
The Cruzmaltino hasn't made any significant changes to the squad structure, as the club is struggling financially, and the high wages of Philippe Coutinho and Dimitri Payet don't allow for any more hefty investments. The big news is Fábio Carille, curiously enough, the coach who led Santos to promotion to the Série A. The chances of Vasco da Gama fighting for the top spots in the Brasileirão are slim, so the club will likely prioritize the Copa Sudamericana, where it has more chance of winning a title. Tchê-Tchê, signed from Botafogo, is the Giant's most significant acquisition this season. In the Campeonato Carioca, the Vascaínos fell in the semi-finals against Flamengo, who won the trophy.
Santos
Neymar will not play against Vasco da Gama and should be unavailable for the next few games, too. The player's physical condition casts doubt on whether he will be that useful to Santos. The league is very demanding, and Neymar must work hard to be at his best if he wants to return to the national team and play in the World Cup. Santos has also signed Tiquinho Soares and Thaciano, experienced players who could help the team, while Venezuelan Soteldo has returned after a loan spell at Grêmio. Even if Neymar doesn't play regularly, coach Pedro Caixinha has good players at his disposal, and Santos can enjoy a good season. In the Campeonato Paulista, Santos lost 2-1 to Corinthians in the semi-finals, showing that the team still has a long way to go.
History of Head-to-Heads
Serie A 2025 
Vasco da Gama
Serie A 2025
Santos FC
Serie A 2023
Vasco da Gama
Serie A 2023
Santos FC
Serie A 2020
Santos FC
Expert Betting Tips
It's going to be an interesting game where there's no favorite. Vasco is always a tricky team to beat at home, but Santos is going to Rio to get a good result. Vasco and Santos have good attacking players, so I will bet on a match with both teams scoring.
Other predictions
