Michaelson’s picks

Vasco da Gama are a point from dropping into the danger zone in Brazil’s Serie A, with just 28 points from 25 games so far this season.

Their quest to distance themselves from the relegation quagmire will not get any easier when they travel to Vila Belmiro to face Santos.

A win, draw and fourstraight defeats is how Vasco’s form reads at the moment.

Santos has recorded a defeat, two draws and as many victories.

The side, known as Fish, are in mid-table with 32 points and one would assume, given their pedigree and history, they will not be content with a mid-table finish.

As it stands, a view of the summit looks distant, but coach Alexi Stival and his men are aware that a win against Vasco will be taking a step toward the leading pack of Sao Paulo, Palmeiras and Internacional.

Football is, as most are aware, tricky to predict, but with this one, the odds are stacked against the visiting team, and they don’t look likely to walk away with anything at the end of 90 min. Pool Name: S6 V3 P1 M1: Spal v Sassuolo. Win for the visitors. Tip: Sassuolo win = 3. M2: IFK Goteborg v AIK. Share of spoils. Tip: Draw = 2. M3: Kalmar FF v Hacken. Victory for Hacken. Tip: Hacken win = 3. M4: Haugesund v Stromsgodset. A dull draw. Tip: Draw = 2 M5: Greuther Furth v Hamburger SV. A high scoring draw. Tip: Draw = 2 M6: Santos v Vasco da Gama. Previewed above.

Tip: Santos win = 1.