Brazilian Serie A - Round 19 preview
With seven matches on Wednesday, the Brazilian Serie A has its last round of the first stage this midweek. Three games complete the schedule on Thursday. The highlight of this round will be played at the Morumbi Stadium on Thursday, when leaders Sao Paulo face second place Parana.
Here are my views for the games of the 19th round:
ATLETICO PARANAENSE x PONTE PRETA: Atletico hopes to build on the 3-3 away draw against Figueirense to escape the bottom four in the standings. At home to Ponte Preta, coach Vadao tries to show the fans the team has turned a page and started its recovering. With Dagoberto coming back from suspension, the team shall have only one change from the one that played in the weekend. Ponte Preta will try to play better away from home in order to get some room between itself and the last placed teams. Forward Luis Mario returns to the team, while Tuto is suspended. Atletico may take advantage of the home crowd, but a draw looks more likely.
SANTA CRUZ x SANTOS: After losing its long home unbeaten streak to Vasco, Santos travels to Recife to play last place Santa Cruz on Wednesday. In order to get the three points, coach Wanderley Luxemburgo will have a tough time rearranging his team without three regulars: suspended Maldonado and Reinaldo, and injured Ronaldo Guiaro. Cleber Santana returns to the team after serving a suspension. Santa Cruz will also miss three players from the team that tied Fluminense 1-1 in Rio: Zada, Washington and Wilson Surubim. Winless in four matches, the locals will desperately try to land the three points. They are likely to get only one.
SAO CAETANO x FLAMENGO: Flamengo has started to play like Brazilian Cup champions. At least, that's what their recent record would suggest, given the team's four-game unbeaten streak. Truth be told, though, the team has not been particularly exciting during that stretch, only regular. On Wednesday it travels to Sao Caetano trying to get at least a point, but missing three players: suspended Juan and Renato Silva, as well as injured Luizao. Sao Caetano will try to prove it deserved better luck in the 1-0 loss to Parana, thanks to a goal three minutes into injury time of the second half. Without Anderson Lima and Gustavo, suspended, coach Paulo Cesar Gusmao will try his first win ahead of the team. It will be difficult, but the locals might get the three points.
GOIAS x INTERNACIONAL: Libertadores champions Internacional try to get an away win to move closer to the top of the Brazilian League. But they will have to overcome the loss of two more important players. After Bolivar and Tinga had left the team, Monday arrived with the announcement that Jorge Wagner and Rafael Sobis will also fly to play in Europe. Inter does not want to waste a good opportunity against Goias though, since the team is winless in nine games. In addition to the four dealt players, Elder Granja and Alex remain sidelined, while Perdigao was sent off against Palmeiras. Fabiano is the only questionable player for Goias, but that doesn't mean much given the team's poor form. If Inter was complete, this would be a no contest. Given their troubles, Goias can finally end their winless streak here.
PALMEIRAS x FLUMINENSE: Palmeiras tries to keep its good play of late by hosting Fluminense at the Parque Antarctica Stadium. However, the team must overcome the loss of forward Edmundo, suspended for this match. The team hasn't won a game in the League without him yet, losing in all three instances he could not play. Marcinho will play in his place. Defender Michael is also out, and will be replaced by Chiquinho. Fluminense, in the meantime, will try to recover from two very disappointing performances, in which the team only managed one draw in two matches at home against clubs at the bottom of the standings - Corinthians and Santa Cruz. The team will have goalkeeper Diego in place of Fernando Henrique, who abandoned the training session on Tuesday after being told he would not start the game. He did not travel to Sao Paulo with the team for the match, and it's still unclear what the full penalty for his action will be. The team will also be without suspended Petkovic, Tuta and Juliano - who gave way to Beto and Fernando Silva. Changes in the team also include the return of injured Thiago Silva, Roger and suspended Marcao. With all the turbulence at Fluminense, Palmeiras may well overcome the loss of Edmundo to keep its climb in the standings.
BOTAFOGO x CRUZEIRO: Winless in six matches, Botafogo tries to escape the bottom of the table against another team in poor form, Cruzeiro. The team from Belo Horizonte is winless in seven games, and is only in a better position in the standings thanks to a strong start in the league, before the World Cup. Things do not look too good prior to the game for either side. Diguinho, Rafael Marques, Marcelinho and Reinaldo are suspended for Botafogo, while goalkeeper Max is injured. For Cruzeiro, Martinez, Jonilson and Fabio Santos are injured, while forward Alecsandro was sold to Spain's Betis. During the week the team also had to deal with a complaint by forward Carlinhos Bala, unhappy for not having started the match against Sao Paulo. If their bad luck continues, both teams can expect to keep their winless streaks alive.
JUVENTUDE x CORINTHIANS: Still trying to escape the relegation zone, defending champions Corinthians find themselves in a serious crisis previous to the away match against Juventude. Argentine star Carlos Tevez left the team on Monday, travelling to Buenos Aires and demanding a transfer to Europe, while partner MSI criticized the behaviour by new coach Emerson Leao, accused of being one of the reasons why Tevez left. Without Tevez, Nadson will likely be the team's lone striker. The team will also play without suspended Eduardo and Carlos Alberto, as well as injured Marcus VinÃcius and Ramon. Leao has not announced his changes for the team, but it will be very tough for him to get his third win in as many matches since taking over the squad. Juventude will try to rebound from a poor 4-1 away loss at Fortaleza, and hopes the local fans can help the team defeat the visitors. Winless in four matches, Juventude can only hope it can take advantage of Corinthians current troubles. A draw seems very possible too.
Three other matches complete the 19th round on Thursday:
SAO PAULO x PARANA: Can the leaders hold on to the top of the table without playing top class football for much longer? After winning just one of its last four matches, it's impressive that Sao Paulo has managed to stay three points clear of the second placed teams in the league. They don't have much space for error here though, as they face current second placed Parana, at the Morumbi Stadium. The locals' main weakness remains in defence, where coach Muricy Ramalho is still trying to find a replacement for departed Lugano. Parana has been playing quite well lately, and climbed to second place with a 1-0 home win against Sao Caetano on Sunday, thanks to a goal in injury time of the second half. Very close game, but Sao Paulo has the edge.
GREMIO x FORTALEZA: Still serving a suspension for trouble in the stands during the derby with Internacional, Gremio will face Fortaleza in an empty stadium. After the 1-0 away loss to Flamengo last weekend, the team will likely make two changes in defence and two more in midfield. Defender Evaldo returns after being suspended, while left-back Escalona will play in place of suspended Wellington. Midfielder Leo Lima also takes the place of suspended Tcheco, while coach Mario Menezes will probably opt for Ramon instead of Rafinha. The visitors had a strong 4-1 home win over Juventude this past weekend, but will certainly face a much tougher opposition against the Rio Grande do Sul State champions. The team has not been confirmed yet, but left-back Bruno Barros will probably return to the team after serving a suspension for too many yellow cards. Even without its fans, Gremio should still win this match.
VASCO x FIGUEIRENSE: What a difference a game makes. After failing at home to Sao Caetano, Vasco surprised everyone and defeated Santos 2-0 away on Sunday, ending that team's 21-match home unbeaten streak. All of a sudden, the team from Rio is now thinking about reaching the Libertadores qualification zone. To do that the team must gain more consistency though, and Thursday's game against Figueirense will be no easy task. The team from Santa Catarina will try to overcome a disappointing - albeit exciting - 3-3 home draw with Atletico Paranaense. After losing left-back Fininho to Russia last week, the team is still trying to find a substitute, and may promote the debut of 19-year-old Vanderson. Defensive midfielder Rodrigo Souto is still questionable, and may give way to Henrique. Vasco could win, but a draw is not out of the question.
Here are my views for the games of the 19th round:
ATLETICO PARANAENSE x PONTE PRETA: Atletico hopes to build on the 3-3 away draw against Figueirense to escape the bottom four in the standings. At home to Ponte Preta, coach Vadao tries to show the fans the team has turned a page and started its recovering. With Dagoberto coming back from suspension, the team shall have only one change from the one that played in the weekend. Ponte Preta will try to play better away from home in order to get some room between itself and the last placed teams. Forward Luis Mario returns to the team, while Tuto is suspended. Atletico may take advantage of the home crowd, but a draw looks more likely.
SANTA CRUZ x SANTOS: After losing its long home unbeaten streak to Vasco, Santos travels to Recife to play last place Santa Cruz on Wednesday. In order to get the three points, coach Wanderley Luxemburgo will have a tough time rearranging his team without three regulars: suspended Maldonado and Reinaldo, and injured Ronaldo Guiaro. Cleber Santana returns to the team after serving a suspension. Santa Cruz will also miss three players from the team that tied Fluminense 1-1 in Rio: Zada, Washington and Wilson Surubim. Winless in four matches, the locals will desperately try to land the three points. They are likely to get only one.
SAO CAETANO x FLAMENGO: Flamengo has started to play like Brazilian Cup champions. At least, that's what their recent record would suggest, given the team's four-game unbeaten streak. Truth be told, though, the team has not been particularly exciting during that stretch, only regular. On Wednesday it travels to Sao Caetano trying to get at least a point, but missing three players: suspended Juan and Renato Silva, as well as injured Luizao. Sao Caetano will try to prove it deserved better luck in the 1-0 loss to Parana, thanks to a goal three minutes into injury time of the second half. Without Anderson Lima and Gustavo, suspended, coach Paulo Cesar Gusmao will try his first win ahead of the team. It will be difficult, but the locals might get the three points.
GOIAS x INTERNACIONAL: Libertadores champions Internacional try to get an away win to move closer to the top of the Brazilian League. But they will have to overcome the loss of two more important players. After Bolivar and Tinga had left the team, Monday arrived with the announcement that Jorge Wagner and Rafael Sobis will also fly to play in Europe. Inter does not want to waste a good opportunity against Goias though, since the team is winless in nine games. In addition to the four dealt players, Elder Granja and Alex remain sidelined, while Perdigao was sent off against Palmeiras. Fabiano is the only questionable player for Goias, but that doesn't mean much given the team's poor form. If Inter was complete, this would be a no contest. Given their troubles, Goias can finally end their winless streak here.
PALMEIRAS x FLUMINENSE: Palmeiras tries to keep its good play of late by hosting Fluminense at the Parque Antarctica Stadium. However, the team must overcome the loss of forward Edmundo, suspended for this match. The team hasn't won a game in the League without him yet, losing in all three instances he could not play. Marcinho will play in his place. Defender Michael is also out, and will be replaced by Chiquinho. Fluminense, in the meantime, will try to recover from two very disappointing performances, in which the team only managed one draw in two matches at home against clubs at the bottom of the standings - Corinthians and Santa Cruz. The team will have goalkeeper Diego in place of Fernando Henrique, who abandoned the training session on Tuesday after being told he would not start the game. He did not travel to Sao Paulo with the team for the match, and it's still unclear what the full penalty for his action will be. The team will also be without suspended Petkovic, Tuta and Juliano - who gave way to Beto and Fernando Silva. Changes in the team also include the return of injured Thiago Silva, Roger and suspended Marcao. With all the turbulence at Fluminense, Palmeiras may well overcome the loss of Edmundo to keep its climb in the standings.
BOTAFOGO x CRUZEIRO: Winless in six matches, Botafogo tries to escape the bottom of the table against another team in poor form, Cruzeiro. The team from Belo Horizonte is winless in seven games, and is only in a better position in the standings thanks to a strong start in the league, before the World Cup. Things do not look too good prior to the game for either side. Diguinho, Rafael Marques, Marcelinho and Reinaldo are suspended for Botafogo, while goalkeeper Max is injured. For Cruzeiro, Martinez, Jonilson and Fabio Santos are injured, while forward Alecsandro was sold to Spain's Betis. During the week the team also had to deal with a complaint by forward Carlinhos Bala, unhappy for not having started the match against Sao Paulo. If their bad luck continues, both teams can expect to keep their winless streaks alive.
JUVENTUDE x CORINTHIANS: Still trying to escape the relegation zone, defending champions Corinthians find themselves in a serious crisis previous to the away match against Juventude. Argentine star Carlos Tevez left the team on Monday, travelling to Buenos Aires and demanding a transfer to Europe, while partner MSI criticized the behaviour by new coach Emerson Leao, accused of being one of the reasons why Tevez left. Without Tevez, Nadson will likely be the team's lone striker. The team will also play without suspended Eduardo and Carlos Alberto, as well as injured Marcus VinÃcius and Ramon. Leao has not announced his changes for the team, but it will be very tough for him to get his third win in as many matches since taking over the squad. Juventude will try to rebound from a poor 4-1 away loss at Fortaleza, and hopes the local fans can help the team defeat the visitors. Winless in four matches, Juventude can only hope it can take advantage of Corinthians current troubles. A draw seems very possible too.
Three other matches complete the 19th round on Thursday:
SAO PAULO x PARANA: Can the leaders hold on to the top of the table without playing top class football for much longer? After winning just one of its last four matches, it's impressive that Sao Paulo has managed to stay three points clear of the second placed teams in the league. They don't have much space for error here though, as they face current second placed Parana, at the Morumbi Stadium. The locals' main weakness remains in defence, where coach Muricy Ramalho is still trying to find a replacement for departed Lugano. Parana has been playing quite well lately, and climbed to second place with a 1-0 home win against Sao Caetano on Sunday, thanks to a goal in injury time of the second half. Very close game, but Sao Paulo has the edge.
GREMIO x FORTALEZA: Still serving a suspension for trouble in the stands during the derby with Internacional, Gremio will face Fortaleza in an empty stadium. After the 1-0 away loss to Flamengo last weekend, the team will likely make two changes in defence and two more in midfield. Defender Evaldo returns after being suspended, while left-back Escalona will play in place of suspended Wellington. Midfielder Leo Lima also takes the place of suspended Tcheco, while coach Mario Menezes will probably opt for Ramon instead of Rafinha. The visitors had a strong 4-1 home win over Juventude this past weekend, but will certainly face a much tougher opposition against the Rio Grande do Sul State champions. The team has not been confirmed yet, but left-back Bruno Barros will probably return to the team after serving a suspension for too many yellow cards. Even without its fans, Gremio should still win this match.
VASCO x FIGUEIRENSE: What a difference a game makes. After failing at home to Sao Caetano, Vasco surprised everyone and defeated Santos 2-0 away on Sunday, ending that team's 21-match home unbeaten streak. All of a sudden, the team from Rio is now thinking about reaching the Libertadores qualification zone. To do that the team must gain more consistency though, and Thursday's game against Figueirense will be no easy task. The team from Santa Catarina will try to overcome a disappointing - albeit exciting - 3-3 home draw with Atletico Paranaense. After losing left-back Fininho to Russia last week, the team is still trying to find a substitute, and may promote the debut of 19-year-old Vanderson. Defensive midfielder Rodrigo Souto is still questionable, and may give way to Henrique. Vasco could win, but a draw is not out of the question.
posted by fejas @ 12:41 PM
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