After two months and nine matches of the 2023 Superettan season, Utsiktens have started impressively and begin this first midweek round of fixtures sitting at the top of the table, whilst Orebro are in the bottom four and the relegation playoff places.

Under the management of Bosko Orovic, Utsiktens have enjoyed six victories, two draws and just one defeat in their opening nine matches. They come into this on the back of a 2-1 win away to Ostersund in their most recent outing, at the weekend, and they have now enjoyed three successive victories.

Their early success has been built upon an impressive defensive record with just eight goals scored in their opening nine matches. Only two sides, Vasteras in second and GAIS in third, have conceded fewer goals, both having let seven in.

In 2021, Orebro were relegated from the Allsvenskan and endured a campaign of underperformance in the 2022 Superettan season as they sat firmly in the middle of the table. They drifted badly towards the end of the season and that underperformance has continued into this season.

The visitors come into this on the back of a 1-1 draw with a Helsingborg side that have also struggled to adapt to the second tier after being relegated from the topflight. That sharing of the spoils means they have managed just two victories in their opening nine matches, scoring just eight goals in those games with only one side having scored fewer.

Given the form of the two sides at the start of this season and their home advantage, the result of this one would appear to be a bit of a formality. To boost the odds, though, it may be worth having a look at the home win and low goals market, as well as ‘to nil’. Utsiktens have conceded fewer than a goal per game, whilst Orebro have scored fewer than a goal per game.

Bahia host Santos at the Itaipava Fonte Nova Arena in the Last 16-second leg of the Copa do Brasil. The first leg between the sides saw no change in scoreline as the pair drew 0-0 in a dull affair. The standout moment of the game came when Deivid Washington thought he put Santos 1-0 up, but VAR ruled the goal out for offside. In truth, it was Bahia who had the better chances and it took two huge saves from Joao Paulo to ensure Santos didn’t travel to the Northeast of Brazil with a deficit.

Bahia have been terrible of late and are without a victory in their last five matches in all competitions with three defeats and two draws. At the weekend, their disappointing run continued as they suffered a 2-0 defeat away from home against Internacional in the league. Despite the result, Bahia racked up an expected goals of 1.20 compared to Inter’s 0.24, showing they need to start taking their chances if they want to start winning games. Marcos Felipe didn’t have the best game between the sticks and will be hoping for an improvement in this duel.

Also not having the best of times at the moment, are Santos, who are winless in their last four matches, with: two draws and two defeats. Last time out, they took on fellow Sao Paulo-based side, Red Bull Bragantino and suffered a 2-0 loss away from home. Their XG of 0.29 was way below Bragantino’s 1.19, showing they are going to have to be more creative if they want a place in the Copa do Brasil Quarterfinals. During this run of matches without a win, they have only scored once whilst conceding four.

With both sides lacking confidence, the outcome of this game is a tough one to determine. One thing which is a likely conclusion from this one is that it will be a low-scoring affair. Bahia have seen under 2.5 goals in their last three matches whilst this has been the outcome four times in Pexie’s last five matches.