Vasco DA Gama vs Olimpia Betting Tips 2026

Sudamericana Group Stage: Vasco Host Olimpia at São Januário

Two sides who know each other from earlier in this group stage meet again in Rio de Janeiro on Thursday night. Vasco da Gama host Olimpia at Estádio São Januário in Group Stage matchday three of the CONMEBOL Sudamericana, and the hosts are already under pressure after dropping points at home to Athletico Italiano in their last continental outing.

Vasco's form across all competitions is a bit of a mixed bag. They've beaten Paysandu away in the Copa do Brasil and picked up a solid home win against São Paulo in Serie A, but the loss to A. Italiano at São Januário stings. Conceding 1-2 at home in the Sudamericana is the kind of result that puts you in a tough spot early in the group. Their last five games read: five goals scored, five conceded, which paints the picture of a side that's capable in attack but leaks too readily. P. Vegetti leads the scoring charts with five goals in seven appearances this season, so the firepower is there. Philippe Coutinho has been contributing too, with a goal and two assists in six games. When Vasco are at their best, they're hard to handle at São Januário.

Olimpia: Solid Defensively, But Limited Going Forward

Olimpia arrive with an interesting profile. Their last Sudamericana result was a 2-0 win away at A. Italiano, the same side that beat Vasco at home. That's a result you can't ignore. Before that, they drew 0-0 with Barracas Central in the group, which speaks to a team that's disciplined without being particularly threatening in front of goal. In the Paraguayan league they've had similar patterns: a 0-0 home draw with Cerro Porteño, a 2-0 away win over Rubio Nu, and a 2-3 loss away to Libertad Asuncion. Six goals scored across five games, three conceded. They can keep it tight.

The continental form is the key reference point here. Olimpia away from home in the Sudamericana have shown they can be dangerous on the counter, and the fact they dismantled A. Italiano 2-0 away from home while Vasco lost to the same side at their own ground is a meaningful data point. This isn't a side to dismiss just because they're travelling from Paraguay.

The Betting Angle

Both squads are fit and expected to be at full strength heading into this one, which removes a key variable from the equation.

The home win is priced at 2 with 1xBet, which feels like it's asking you to take Vasco on faith after that home defeat in their last Sudamericana game. The draw at 3.55 and Olimpia at 4.60 reflect the reality that the Paraguayans won't just sit back and get overrun.

What actually stands out is the goals market. Olimpia have been involved in low-scoring affairs repeatedly: two 0-0s and a 2-0 in their last three. Vasco drew 1-1 away from home in Serie A and beat São Paulo 2-1 at home, but they also dropped a 0-1 and had a tight Copa do Brasil win. Neither side has been blowing teams away by multiple goals consistently. The Under 2.5 Goals at 1.80 has real appeal here. You've got a Sudamericana group stage fixture where both teams are likely to be cautious, Olimpia are defensively organised, and Vasco are not in a position where they can afford to throw men forward recklessly and leave themselves exposed again.

Vasco need a result, but Olimpia just proved they can win away in this exact competition. Under 2.5 Goals looks the value pick on the night.