Ponte Preta vs São Paulo Prediction: São Paulo has a tough nut to crack

This Paulistão Round 7 fixture promises to be very entertaining. These two teams have an illustrious history. Ponte Preta and São Paulo have met 130 times, with the advantage going to the team from the state capital. The Tricolor Paulista has won 68 times and lost 24 games. In the last five meetings between the two teams at the Ponte Preta stadium, São Paulo has only won one and lost four, which shows that this could be a difficult match for the recent Supercopa do Brasil winner.

The Campinas club is the second oldest in the country. While in its existence, it hasn't won any major trophies, it has come second seven times in the Paulistão and lost a Copa Sudamericana final to Lanús in 2013. Ponte Preta plays in the Série B and will soon try to return to the elite of Brazilian football, where it belongs. This season the Macaca is in second place in Group B, behind Brazilian and Paulista champion Palmeiras. Curiously, Ponte Preta has yet to win at home, drawing three times, while away, it has two victories and one defeat against Santos. The Campinas' White & Black will be looking to surprise São Paulo once again, as it has done in recent years.

The Tricolor is enjoying a good moment after winning the Super Cup against its rival Palmeiras. This victory had great significance for the fans because São Paulo became the first Brazilian club to win all the competitions in which it participated, both national and international. In a euphoric atmosphere, the Tricolor easily beat Água Santa 3-0 and continues to top its group even with a game in hand. In 2022, the team won 2-1 away to Ponte Preta after defeats in the previous four visits to Campinas, two in the Campeonato Paulista and two in the Brasileirão.

São Paulo naturally has a better chance of winning, but I'm leaning towards the surprise. Ponte Preta won't be a submissive opponent and will try to stop the Tricolor. In the last five matches at the Moisés Lucarelli, São Paulo has won once and lost four times, hence my desire to place a riskier bet. I'm going for a Double Chance in favor of the home team, which has attractive odds.