Santos vs Portuguesa Prediction: Portuguesa has not won at the Vila Belmiro for 22 years

This meeting between these two historic clubs has a long tradition in the Paulista football scene. The teams have met 213 times, with Santos winning 96 games to Portuguesa's 62. In 55 matches, the result ended in a draw. Last season, Santos won 4-0, extending its home record against Portuguesa to 22 years. The clubs met in the Paulistão 1973 final when both were declared winners. A technical error by the referee led to a protest from Portuguesa. In the penalty shoot-out, the referee miscalculated the number of Lusa players still to score and decided to end the game, giving victory to Santos, where Pelé was still playing.

Only Palmeiras collected more points than the Fish in the Paulistão group stage. Last season, Santos didn't avoid relegation to the Série B, but the club's greatness is intact. Provided there are no surprises, Fábio Carille's side will try to fight for a place in the competition's final. However, for that to happen, Santos must confirm its favoritism against Portuguesa. In the last game, the Fish won 3-2 at home against Inter de Limeira, which is also through to the quarter-finals.

The Lusa surprisingly managed to qualify for the Paulistão knockout stage, in a somewhat unfair situation for many but allowed by the competition rules. Only four teams scored fewer points than Portuguesa. São Bernardo was eliminated with 21 points, finishing as the fifth-highest-scoring team in the Paulistão. Ituano and Santo André scored very few points in Group A, allowing the Lusa to finish in second place with just ten points, thus qualifying for the quarter-finals. Against Santos, the Red & Green will have to do much better if it wants to go through.

Santos is the favorite for this quarter-final. After a successful group stage, the team is confident. If it wants to beat the Fish, Portuguesa must improve its game. I'm backing the home team to win with a maximum of four goals scored in the match.