Sao Paulo vs Sport Recife prediction, odds & betting tips – 29/03/2025

Sao Paulo kick off the new Brazilian Serie A campaign with a test against newly-promoted Sport Recife at the MorumBIS on Saturday, 29 March. View our Brazilian Serie A betting tips for the contest below.

Sao Paulo vs Sport Recife prediction: Hosts can hit the ground running

Key Stats

• Sao Paulo lost only two of their last 15 home games of the previous Serie A campaign and they can harness home advantage again here.
• Sport Recife failed to score in two of their last three competitive assignments.
• Four of Sport Recife’s last five matches have featured under 2.5 goals.
• Jonathan Calleri has scored two goals in his last four appearances for Sao Paulo.

Correct score prediction: Sao Paulo 2-0 Sport Recife

A date at home with newly-promoted Recife looks like a kind opening test for a Sao Paulo side that won 12 of their 19 home fixtures in Serie A last season. Back the hosts to come out on top with relative ease here.

Pre-game odds and win probability: Sport Recife are clear underdogs

• HOME: 13/20 (1.65) – 60.6%
• DRAW: 5/2 (3.50) – 28.6%
• AWAY: 9/2 (5.50) – 18.2%

*odds from Ladbrokes, subject to change

Sao Paulo were knocked out of the Paulista semi-finals by rivals Palmeiras last time out, however, they should be a class above Sport Recife and the hosts have a 60.6% chance of starting their league campaign in style.

Sport Recife were beaten in two of their last three games in the Liga Do Nordeste and they have just an 18.2% chance of bouncing back on Saturday. Visit our latest football tips page for more free predictions.

Most recent H2Hs: First Serie A meeting since 2021

Sao Paulo and Sport Recife haven’t met in Serie A since 2021, though they did cross paths in the Copa do Brasil in 2023. Sport won that clash 3-1, but lost the tie on penalties.

Copa do Brasil 01/06/23

Sao Paulo

1

Sport Recife

3

Copa do Brasil 18/05/23

Sport Recife

0

Sao Paulo

2

Brazil Serie A 28/11/21

Sao Paulo

2

Sport Recife

0

Brazil Serie A 23/08/21

Sport Recife

0

Sao Paulo

1

Brazil Serie A 06/12/20

Sao Paulo

1

Sport Recife

0

Sao Paulo preview: 3-4-1-2 formation likely

Giuliano Galoppo, Erick, and Wendell could all miss Saturday through injury for Sao Paulo. The hosts were set up in a 3-4-1-2 formation against Palmeiras last time out, so they could be deployed in a similar system this weekend.

Predicted lineup: Rafael (GK) Ferraresi, Arboleda, Franco, Soares, Alisson, Oscar, Diaz, Luciano, Calleri, Moura

Chile Cup 26/01/25

L

Nublense

3

Curico Unido

2

Chile Primera B 07/10/24

D

Santiago Wanderers

2

Curico Unido

2

Chile Liga de Primera 08/12/23

L

Colo Colo

1

Curico Unido

0

Chile Liga de Primera 02/12/23

L

Palestino

4

Curico Unido

0

Chile Liga de Primera 26/11/23

L

Magallanes

4

Curico Unido

3

Sport Recife preview: Visitors at full strength

Sport Recife have few personnel issues to contend with ahead of their Serie A opener. Sport finished third in Serie B last season, but were one of four teams to earn promotion to the top tier.

Predicted lineup: Franca (GK), Carlos, Di Placido, Cunha, Carius, Hyoran, Dominguez, Quieroz, Pablo, Romarinho, Barletta

Brazil Serie A 13/04/25

L

Vasco da Gama

3

Sport Recife

1

Brazil Serie A 06/04/25

L

Palmeiras

2

Sport Recife

1

Brazil Campeonato Pernambucano 03/04/25

L

Retro FC Brasil

2

Sport Recife

1

Brazil Serie A 29/03/25

D

Sao Paulo

0

Sport Recife

0

Brazil Copa Nordeste 27/03/25

L

AE Altos

1

Sport Recife

0

Player to watch – Lucas Moura

Still just 32, winger Lucas Moura is one of the biggest names currently plying his trade in Brazil’s Serie A and the ex-Tottenham and PSG star has the class to make a big impact on Saturday.

Magical Moura worth watching

Lucas Moura bagged an impressive ten goals and six assists for Sao Paulo in Serie A last season and his explosive acceleration should make him a potent weapon again during the 2025 campaign in Brazil. Don’t be surprised if Moura opens his account early against Sport Recife.