Brazilian Serie A - Round 23 preview
Three matches open the 23rd round in the Brazilian Serie A this Saturday, with seven games scheduled for Sunday. Sao Paulo and Corinthians make the local derby in Sao Paulo, while Botafogo and Flamengo battle at the Maracana in Rio de Janeiro. Second place Santos and Gremio have tough matches away from home, and fourth place Inter host Atletico Paranaense.
Here are my views for this weekend's games.
PONTE PRETA x SANTA CRUZ: After a change in command after the 3-1 loss at home to Sao Paulo, Santa Cruz travels to Campinas to play Ponte Preta, needing a win to dream about remaining in the First Division of Brazilian soccer. The locals also find themselves in the bottom four, and hope to defeat the last placed team to gain some positions in the standings. Defender Preto and defensive midfielder Carlinhos should return after serving a one-match ban. Coach Marco Aurelio is still undecided whether to use forward Tuto or midfielder Danilo, or whether to use a 4-4-2 or 3-5-2 formation. Ponte has the advantage for playing at home, but Santa is still an unknown under new coach Ernesto Guedes. He'll likely play defender Adriano Santos in place of Sidraílson, as well as try midfielder Wilson Surubim and a new attacking duo with Jorge Henrique and Fabricio Ceara. Guedes has been trying new formations in training this week, and may use a 4-4-2 formation instead of the previous 3-5-2. In their first matchup in May, the teams tied 1-1.
VASCO x GREMIO: Two teams that were left for dead until the World Cup break and have shown new life in August. Gremio is under a slightly better form, having won four in a row to reach second place in the standings together with Santos. Vasco has also been good during the last month, despite having drawn its last couple of games - against Ponte Preta and Fluminense. Defender Jorge Luiz will miss the game for Vasco after being sent off against Fluminense, but coach Renato has yet to name his substitute. Jeovanio, Evalo and Hugo return for Gremio. The match could be close, and a draw would not be a surprise. Botafogo defeated Gremio 2-1 in Porto Alegre in their first meeting this year.
PALMEIRAS x SAO CAETANO: Palmeiras is still trying to understand what went wrong in the 5-1 loss at Santos last week. The team is trying to focus on the 11-game unbeaten streak that ended with the loss, knowing it has enough talent to overcome the unusual result. Fortunately for the white-and-green fans, this week's opponent has not been in great form lately, having failed to beat two teams in the relegation zone in its last two matches, despite playing at home. As a result, the team finds itself just one place above the bottom four. Dininho and Enilton return to Palmeiras after serving a match suspension. Chiquinho plays instead of Michael at left back, and Roger Bernardo will likely replace Francis in midfield. New coach Helio dos Anjos will change some players for his debut for Sao Caetano. Anderson Lima returns after serving a ban, while Maraba plays in place of Mucamba. In attack three players - Wellington Amorim, Fabiano Gadelha and Marcelinho - battle for two spots. Palmeiras should win this game, or risk a much bigger crisis. Sao Caetano won their first match against Palmeiras in this year's Brazilian League, 2-0.
FIGUEIRENSE x GOIAS: Goias broke a three-month winless streak with two wins in a row, but now must face a tough test away from home to keep its new streak going. Figueirense is unbeaten in three, but has won only once in its last six. At home it should still beat Goias, who hasn't won away from the Serra Dourada since its 1-0 win over Corinthians in Sao Paulo, on June 1st. Munoz could make his debut in attack for Goias, which won't have forwards Romerito - suspended for the game - and Welliton - injured. Defenders Rogerio Correa and Fabiano are questionable with muscle problems, and midfielder Leonardo is suspended. The locals won't have right back Flavio and midfielder Rodrigo Souto, also banned for one game after collecting their third yellow card. Figueirense is the favorite in this game. Goias defeated Figueirense 2-1 in May.
SAO PAULO x CORINTHIANS: The Sao Paulo derby has the return of Amoroso to the Morumbi, but this time playing for Corinthians. Less than a year after leaving Sao Paulo for AC Milan, forward Marcio Amoroso should make his debut for Corinthians here, together with midfielder Magrao and left back Cesar, also signed last week by the popular club. Meanwhile, the leaders try to recover from a pitiful presentation in Argentina against Boca Juniors on Thursday, when the team was lucky to lose by just a goal (1-2) in the first leg of the South American Recopa. Forward Thiago will play instead of suspended Aloisio, while left back Junior and forward Leandro return. Sao Paulo won 3-1 in the first match between the two in this year's Brazilian Serie A.
PARANA x FLUMINENSE: Parana tries to halt its four-game losing streak (five if considered the loss to Atletico Paranaense in the Sudamericana) when it faces Fluminense in Curitiba. After a good series after the World Cup that saw the team climb to second in the standings, Parana lost four times and is now just in seventh, with 31 points. Fluminense also lost track with the top teams in the standings after the World Cup, and sits in ninth with 30 points, amidst a six-game winless streak. Missing several players, Parana will have a tough time against the team from Rio. Edinho, Gustavo, Emerson and Pierre are suspended, while Angelo and Leonardo are injured. Fluminense will be without forward Tuta, suspended. Left-back Marcelo, who made a surprise appearance against Botafogo in midfield, could play again in that function. Back in May, Fluminense defeated Parana 2-1.
JUVENTUDE x CRUZEIRO: Juventude hosts Cruzeiro trying to recover from its 2-0 loss to Goias on Sunday. Cruzeiro continues to struggle, having just one point in two matches since its 3-0 win over Sao Caetano ended an eight-game winless streak. The visitors will have five changes, with goalkeeper Fabio returning from the National Team and four other players being substituted due to a coach's decision. Juventude will make four changes, with defender Antonio Carlos and midfielder Lauro suspended, and defender Fabricio and midfielder Alexandre injured. Juventude is favored to win, but with so many changes a draw is also possible. In the first meeting between the two this year, Cruzeiro won 2-0.
BOTAFOGO x FLAMENGO: Botafogo tries to extend its four-game winning streak in the local Rio de Janeiro derby against Flamengo, which finds itself back in the relegation zone. For Sunday's match, midfielder Ze Roberto is out and Joilson, Diguinho and Lima are still questionable on Botafogo's side. Flamengo will probably be without Savio, with Obina and Luizao playing in the attack on a 4-4-2 formation. Botafogo's missing players could harm the team, and a win like the 5-0 trouncing of Atletico last week does not seem likely, especially since it's a derby. Nobody should bet against a desperate Flamengo side, which could very well win this game since it finds itself near the bottom of the standings. Flamengo won their previous meeting in the league by a 1-0 score.
INTERNACIONAL x ATLETICO PARANAENSE: Internacional tries to build on its two straight away wins when it returns home to the Beira-Rio stadium. Back in the race for its fourth ever National title and first since the 1970s, Inter tries to take advantage of an unstable Atletico Paranaense. The visitors lost 5-0 to Botafogo at home last week, and despite recovering from the loss with a 3-1 win over Parana in the Copa Sudamericana, still feel bad about last Sunday's embarrassment. Renteria and Edinho will be able to play for the South American champions, while Fabinho will likely miss the game. Wellington Monteiro and Perdigao battle for a spot in midfield. Atletico will miss defender Joao Leonardo and midfielder Cristian, suspended, and injured midfielder Marcelo Silva. Inter won the first match of the season between the two sides, 2-1 in Curitiba.
FORTALEZA x SANTOS: Santos tries to move closer to Sao Paulo when it travels to Fortaleza to face the struggling team. Coming off a 5-1 win over Palmeiras, the team coached by Wanderley Luxemburgo is confident it can get another three points to stay near the top of the standings. Fortaleza managed two away draws against Sao Paulo and Sao Caetano, and will try to continue with a strong gameplan to prevent Santos from creating too many attacking chances. Midfielder Ze Roberto will likely make his debut for Santos. Defensive midfielder Dude is out for Fortaleza, which will debut new coach Roberval Davino, replacing Helio dos Anjos after he left for Sao Caetano. Santos won the previous match between the two, 2-0.
Here are my views for this weekend's games.
PONTE PRETA x SANTA CRUZ: After a change in command after the 3-1 loss at home to Sao Paulo, Santa Cruz travels to Campinas to play Ponte Preta, needing a win to dream about remaining in the First Division of Brazilian soccer. The locals also find themselves in the bottom four, and hope to defeat the last placed team to gain some positions in the standings. Defender Preto and defensive midfielder Carlinhos should return after serving a one-match ban. Coach Marco Aurelio is still undecided whether to use forward Tuto or midfielder Danilo, or whether to use a 4-4-2 or 3-5-2 formation. Ponte has the advantage for playing at home, but Santa is still an unknown under new coach Ernesto Guedes. He'll likely play defender Adriano Santos in place of Sidraílson, as well as try midfielder Wilson Surubim and a new attacking duo with Jorge Henrique and Fabricio Ceara. Guedes has been trying new formations in training this week, and may use a 4-4-2 formation instead of the previous 3-5-2. In their first matchup in May, the teams tied 1-1.
VASCO x GREMIO: Two teams that were left for dead until the World Cup break and have shown new life in August. Gremio is under a slightly better form, having won four in a row to reach second place in the standings together with Santos. Vasco has also been good during the last month, despite having drawn its last couple of games - against Ponte Preta and Fluminense. Defender Jorge Luiz will miss the game for Vasco after being sent off against Fluminense, but coach Renato has yet to name his substitute. Jeovanio, Evalo and Hugo return for Gremio. The match could be close, and a draw would not be a surprise. Botafogo defeated Gremio 2-1 in Porto Alegre in their first meeting this year.
PALMEIRAS x SAO CAETANO: Palmeiras is still trying to understand what went wrong in the 5-1 loss at Santos last week. The team is trying to focus on the 11-game unbeaten streak that ended with the loss, knowing it has enough talent to overcome the unusual result. Fortunately for the white-and-green fans, this week's opponent has not been in great form lately, having failed to beat two teams in the relegation zone in its last two matches, despite playing at home. As a result, the team finds itself just one place above the bottom four. Dininho and Enilton return to Palmeiras after serving a match suspension. Chiquinho plays instead of Michael at left back, and Roger Bernardo will likely replace Francis in midfield. New coach Helio dos Anjos will change some players for his debut for Sao Caetano. Anderson Lima returns after serving a ban, while Maraba plays in place of Mucamba. In attack three players - Wellington Amorim, Fabiano Gadelha and Marcelinho - battle for two spots. Palmeiras should win this game, or risk a much bigger crisis. Sao Caetano won their first match against Palmeiras in this year's Brazilian League, 2-0.
FIGUEIRENSE x GOIAS: Goias broke a three-month winless streak with two wins in a row, but now must face a tough test away from home to keep its new streak going. Figueirense is unbeaten in three, but has won only once in its last six. At home it should still beat Goias, who hasn't won away from the Serra Dourada since its 1-0 win over Corinthians in Sao Paulo, on June 1st. Munoz could make his debut in attack for Goias, which won't have forwards Romerito - suspended for the game - and Welliton - injured. Defenders Rogerio Correa and Fabiano are questionable with muscle problems, and midfielder Leonardo is suspended. The locals won't have right back Flavio and midfielder Rodrigo Souto, also banned for one game after collecting their third yellow card. Figueirense is the favorite in this game. Goias defeated Figueirense 2-1 in May.
SAO PAULO x CORINTHIANS: The Sao Paulo derby has the return of Amoroso to the Morumbi, but this time playing for Corinthians. Less than a year after leaving Sao Paulo for AC Milan, forward Marcio Amoroso should make his debut for Corinthians here, together with midfielder Magrao and left back Cesar, also signed last week by the popular club. Meanwhile, the leaders try to recover from a pitiful presentation in Argentina against Boca Juniors on Thursday, when the team was lucky to lose by just a goal (1-2) in the first leg of the South American Recopa. Forward Thiago will play instead of suspended Aloisio, while left back Junior and forward Leandro return. Sao Paulo won 3-1 in the first match between the two in this year's Brazilian Serie A.
PARANA x FLUMINENSE: Parana tries to halt its four-game losing streak (five if considered the loss to Atletico Paranaense in the Sudamericana) when it faces Fluminense in Curitiba. After a good series after the World Cup that saw the team climb to second in the standings, Parana lost four times and is now just in seventh, with 31 points. Fluminense also lost track with the top teams in the standings after the World Cup, and sits in ninth with 30 points, amidst a six-game winless streak. Missing several players, Parana will have a tough time against the team from Rio. Edinho, Gustavo, Emerson and Pierre are suspended, while Angelo and Leonardo are injured. Fluminense will be without forward Tuta, suspended. Left-back Marcelo, who made a surprise appearance against Botafogo in midfield, could play again in that function. Back in May, Fluminense defeated Parana 2-1.
JUVENTUDE x CRUZEIRO: Juventude hosts Cruzeiro trying to recover from its 2-0 loss to Goias on Sunday. Cruzeiro continues to struggle, having just one point in two matches since its 3-0 win over Sao Caetano ended an eight-game winless streak. The visitors will have five changes, with goalkeeper Fabio returning from the National Team and four other players being substituted due to a coach's decision. Juventude will make four changes, with defender Antonio Carlos and midfielder Lauro suspended, and defender Fabricio and midfielder Alexandre injured. Juventude is favored to win, but with so many changes a draw is also possible. In the first meeting between the two this year, Cruzeiro won 2-0.
BOTAFOGO x FLAMENGO: Botafogo tries to extend its four-game winning streak in the local Rio de Janeiro derby against Flamengo, which finds itself back in the relegation zone. For Sunday's match, midfielder Ze Roberto is out and Joilson, Diguinho and Lima are still questionable on Botafogo's side. Flamengo will probably be without Savio, with Obina and Luizao playing in the attack on a 4-4-2 formation. Botafogo's missing players could harm the team, and a win like the 5-0 trouncing of Atletico last week does not seem likely, especially since it's a derby. Nobody should bet against a desperate Flamengo side, which could very well win this game since it finds itself near the bottom of the standings. Flamengo won their previous meeting in the league by a 1-0 score.
INTERNACIONAL x ATLETICO PARANAENSE: Internacional tries to build on its two straight away wins when it returns home to the Beira-Rio stadium. Back in the race for its fourth ever National title and first since the 1970s, Inter tries to take advantage of an unstable Atletico Paranaense. The visitors lost 5-0 to Botafogo at home last week, and despite recovering from the loss with a 3-1 win over Parana in the Copa Sudamericana, still feel bad about last Sunday's embarrassment. Renteria and Edinho will be able to play for the South American champions, while Fabinho will likely miss the game. Wellington Monteiro and Perdigao battle for a spot in midfield. Atletico will miss defender Joao Leonardo and midfielder Cristian, suspended, and injured midfielder Marcelo Silva. Inter won the first match of the season between the two sides, 2-1 in Curitiba.
FORTALEZA x SANTOS: Santos tries to move closer to Sao Paulo when it travels to Fortaleza to face the struggling team. Coming off a 5-1 win over Palmeiras, the team coached by Wanderley Luxemburgo is confident it can get another three points to stay near the top of the standings. Fortaleza managed two away draws against Sao Paulo and Sao Caetano, and will try to continue with a strong gameplan to prevent Santos from creating too many attacking chances. Midfielder Ze Roberto will likely make his debut for Santos. Defensive midfielder Dude is out for Fortaleza, which will debut new coach Roberval Davino, replacing Helio dos Anjos after he left for Sao Caetano. Santos won the previous match between the two, 2-0.
posted by fejas @ 3:04 PM
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