Brazilian Serie A - round 25 preview
The Brazilian Serie A again has games in midweek, with eight matches opening the 25th round on Wednesday and two other games on Thursday. Second place Gremio opens the round with an afternoon game against Ponte Preta at home, while Sao Paulo travels to Sao Caetano trying to keep its comfortable lead atop the table.
Here are my views for the games this round:
GREMIO x PONTE PRETA: Gremio has another great chance to collect three points here, playing at home again following a 4-0 beating over Botafogo on Sunday. The team faces Ponte Preta, which surprised Santos with a 1-0 win over the weekend, but remains desperately close to the relegation zone. Gremio has won its last six home games, while Ponte hasn't managed an away triumph in seven tries. Gremio is complete for the match, with the return of midfielder Tcheco and left-back Wellington. Ponte will be without midfielder Fabio Baiano, suspended, and forward Luis Mario, injured.
BOTAFOGO x JUVENTUDE: Botafogo tries to recover after suffering a 4-0 away loss to Gremio, its second loss in a row. It may have a tough time against Juventude, coming off two home wins. Away from home has not been a pleasant story for the team from Caxias do Sul, though. Juventude has managed just one win and one draw in its last eight away games. Right-back Ruy and midfielders Claiton and Diguinho return to Botafogo, which may go back to a 3-5-2 formation, after a failed 4-4-2 experience in the loss to Gremio. Left-back Julio Cesar will not play, however, after being sent off in the last match. Defender Antonio Carlos and midfielder Fabricio are out suspended for Juventude.
FIGUEIRENSE x INTERNACIONAL: Internacional tries to rebound from the 2-0 away loss to Sao Paulo to stay in the race for the league title. However, the team has another tough away encounter, this time against Figueirense in Florianopolis. The locals are also trying to prove themselves, having failed to win a game in its last four matches, which included three draws. Inter has shown it has the quality needed to win away games, having done so in two of its last three away matches. To repeat its success story, however, Inter will have to overcome the loss of forward Fernandao, suspended, as well as goalkeeper Clemer, still questionable with a groin injury. Figueirense tries to regroup after a fight in the dressing room between teamates Flavio in Schwenk during the team's 2-0 away loss to Fluminense. Both should play tonight, alongside the other regular starters.
PARANA x FORTALEZA: Can Parana finally regain its form from earlier in the tournament? The team has now lost five of its last six games, and has quickly slipped from being in contention from the title to being closer to the relegation battle. The team is five points clear of 17th place, and a full ten points away from leaders Sao Paulo. To stay in the upper half of the table the team must defeat second last Fortaleza, winless in six and almost sure to play in the Serie B next year. Having won only one of the 11 away games it played this season, the visitors don't look like they could do much here. The locals return to their traditional Durival Brito Stadium, completely overhauled, after a three-year restoration project. Parana will try a more offensive 4-4-2 formation, instead of its usual 3-5-2. Fortaleza will miss Alan - suspended - and Mazinho Lima - injured.
GOIAS x ATLETICO PARANAENSE: Only one point separates 11th place Atletico Paranaense from 17th place Goias, and the latter must win this home game to increase its chances of staying in the main division of Brazilian soccer next year. Atletico stopped a two-game losing streak with a tough 2-1 home win over last place Santa Cruz last weekend, and may have trouble facing a determined Goias side unbeaten in five at home, and in four games overall. Atletico has won only once in its last nine away games. Forward Souza and defender Rogerio Correa return after serving a one-game suspension and recovering from injury, respectively. Atletico will start the same team that began the match against Santa Cruz.
SANTOS x FLUMINENSE: The away loss to Ponte Preta cooled down Santos quite a bit, putting the team in fourth place, seven points behind Sao Paulo and having played one more game than the league leaders. The team knows it must win this game against Fluminense, and should deliver a strong performance for the home fans. Having won eight of its last home games, the team is the clear favorite here against a struggling Fluminense side that finally broke a seven-game winless streak with a home win over Figueirense on Sunday. However, the only two teams to steal points from Santos at the Vila Belmiro this season were also from Rio: Vasco (which won) and Botafogo (which left with a draw). Forward Reinaldo is out until October for Santos with an injury, but the team will field its main midfielders together for the first time, with Andre Luiz, Maldonado, Cleber Santana and Ze Roberto. Defender Anderson and left-back Marcelo are out suspended for Fluminense.
SAO CAETANO x SAO PAULO: Sao Paulo is still fighting to field a complete team, after several players have recently been forced out of the team due to injuries or suspensions. Fortunately for the current leaders, team captain and goalkeeper Rogerio Ceni has been cleared to play, after suffering an injury in the final moments of the game against Internacional on Sunday. The team will have a tough meeting on Wednesday in Sao Caetano, against a team that is fighting to remain in the First Division. Winless in seven, the team will have to play a lot better than it has recently to beat a team unbeaten in nine. Marcelinho and Wellington Amorim return from suspension, while defender Gustavo, midfielder Leandro Lima and forward Gustavo Gaucho are back from injury. Defender Mauricio is out for the locals after being sent off in the team's last match. Defenders Alex Silva and Edcarlos, and left-back Junior are all out suspended for Sao Paulo. Right-back Souza is questionable, and forward Aloisio is also out due to injury. Forward Leandro may return to the team. Due to the injuries, and Sao Paulo's recent trouble in getting two straight wins, a draw may not be that surprising.
CORINTHIANS x VASCO: Reborn after a tough first half, the defending champions face Vasco for the third time in two weeks, having won the previous two meetings that were valid for the Copa Sudamericana. The team from Sao Paulo has not lost to Vasco in 11 matches, dating back to 2001, winning seven and tying four of those games. Playing again at home, the team should be considered the favorite, against a falling Vasco side that is just clinging to the last Libertadores spot. Vasco is unbeaten in seven, but has drawn its last four games. Corinthians, on the other hand, is unbeaten in four, and will try to get its fourth win in five matches. Trying to make matters worse for the locals, Vasco will have a new 3-5-2 tactic in place. Defender Jorge Luiz remains out, and defensive midfielder Amaral enters the team in place of Ygor, who will be asked to play as a sweeper. Right-back Claudemir replaces Wagner Diniz, injured. Full-backs Eduardo Ratinho and Gustavo Nery, as well as forward Rafael Moura, return to Corinthians after a one-game suspension. Despite a slight Corinthians edge, a draw is also possible.
FLAMENGO x CRUZEIRO: After beating Botafogo and Fortaleza, Flamengo has managed to stay out of the bottom four in the standings. However, the team has not been able to pull away from the relegation zone by more than a point, which means it could return to it at any time. Fortunately for the loyal red-and-black fans, the team faces an inconsistent Cruzeiro side on Thursday at the Maracana Stadium. Despite and important 1-0 home win over Palmeiras last Sunday, the team from Belo Horizonte has lost its last six matches away from home. For the locals, Rodrigo Arroz, Leo Medeiros e Toro will play in midfield replacing Paulinho and Leo, suspended, and injured Renato Augusto. Forward Luizao returns from a game suspension. Cruzeiro will miss defender Gladstone and midfielder Sandro, suspended, as well as left-back Leandro and his immediate substitute, Julio Cesar, injured. Defensive midfielder Jonilson and forward Elber remain out, recovering from injuries.
SANTA CRUZ x PALMEIRAS: Palmeiras travels to Recife trying to recover from the 1-0 loss away to Cruzeiro that saw the team's 11-game unbeaten streak come to an end. Santa Cruz may be the perfect opposition for that. Dead last with little chance of escaping a return to the Second Division next year, the team from Recife is on a ten-game winless streak that includes the current run of five straight losses. Forward Nene returns to the team, but three players remain out: defender Marcio Alemao, left-back Cassio and forward Edson Pele. The locals' only other change in regards to the team that lost to Atletico Paranaense will be the return of defensive midfielder Augusto Recife. Paulo Baier is out injured for Palmeiras, which will also be without defenders Nen and Alceu, suspended. Surprises can always happen, of course, but this looks like it's Palmeiras game to lose.
Here are my views for the games this round:
GREMIO x PONTE PRETA: Gremio has another great chance to collect three points here, playing at home again following a 4-0 beating over Botafogo on Sunday. The team faces Ponte Preta, which surprised Santos with a 1-0 win over the weekend, but remains desperately close to the relegation zone. Gremio has won its last six home games, while Ponte hasn't managed an away triumph in seven tries. Gremio is complete for the match, with the return of midfielder Tcheco and left-back Wellington. Ponte will be without midfielder Fabio Baiano, suspended, and forward Luis Mario, injured.
BOTAFOGO x JUVENTUDE: Botafogo tries to recover after suffering a 4-0 away loss to Gremio, its second loss in a row. It may have a tough time against Juventude, coming off two home wins. Away from home has not been a pleasant story for the team from Caxias do Sul, though. Juventude has managed just one win and one draw in its last eight away games. Right-back Ruy and midfielders Claiton and Diguinho return to Botafogo, which may go back to a 3-5-2 formation, after a failed 4-4-2 experience in the loss to Gremio. Left-back Julio Cesar will not play, however, after being sent off in the last match. Defender Antonio Carlos and midfielder Fabricio are out suspended for Juventude.
FIGUEIRENSE x INTERNACIONAL: Internacional tries to rebound from the 2-0 away loss to Sao Paulo to stay in the race for the league title. However, the team has another tough away encounter, this time against Figueirense in Florianopolis. The locals are also trying to prove themselves, having failed to win a game in its last four matches, which included three draws. Inter has shown it has the quality needed to win away games, having done so in two of its last three away matches. To repeat its success story, however, Inter will have to overcome the loss of forward Fernandao, suspended, as well as goalkeeper Clemer, still questionable with a groin injury. Figueirense tries to regroup after a fight in the dressing room between teamates Flavio in Schwenk during the team's 2-0 away loss to Fluminense. Both should play tonight, alongside the other regular starters.
PARANA x FORTALEZA: Can Parana finally regain its form from earlier in the tournament? The team has now lost five of its last six games, and has quickly slipped from being in contention from the title to being closer to the relegation battle. The team is five points clear of 17th place, and a full ten points away from leaders Sao Paulo. To stay in the upper half of the table the team must defeat second last Fortaleza, winless in six and almost sure to play in the Serie B next year. Having won only one of the 11 away games it played this season, the visitors don't look like they could do much here. The locals return to their traditional Durival Brito Stadium, completely overhauled, after a three-year restoration project. Parana will try a more offensive 4-4-2 formation, instead of its usual 3-5-2. Fortaleza will miss Alan - suspended - and Mazinho Lima - injured.
GOIAS x ATLETICO PARANAENSE: Only one point separates 11th place Atletico Paranaense from 17th place Goias, and the latter must win this home game to increase its chances of staying in the main division of Brazilian soccer next year. Atletico stopped a two-game losing streak with a tough 2-1 home win over last place Santa Cruz last weekend, and may have trouble facing a determined Goias side unbeaten in five at home, and in four games overall. Atletico has won only once in its last nine away games. Forward Souza and defender Rogerio Correa return after serving a one-game suspension and recovering from injury, respectively. Atletico will start the same team that began the match against Santa Cruz.
SANTOS x FLUMINENSE: The away loss to Ponte Preta cooled down Santos quite a bit, putting the team in fourth place, seven points behind Sao Paulo and having played one more game than the league leaders. The team knows it must win this game against Fluminense, and should deliver a strong performance for the home fans. Having won eight of its last home games, the team is the clear favorite here against a struggling Fluminense side that finally broke a seven-game winless streak with a home win over Figueirense on Sunday. However, the only two teams to steal points from Santos at the Vila Belmiro this season were also from Rio: Vasco (which won) and Botafogo (which left with a draw). Forward Reinaldo is out until October for Santos with an injury, but the team will field its main midfielders together for the first time, with Andre Luiz, Maldonado, Cleber Santana and Ze Roberto. Defender Anderson and left-back Marcelo are out suspended for Fluminense.
SAO CAETANO x SAO PAULO: Sao Paulo is still fighting to field a complete team, after several players have recently been forced out of the team due to injuries or suspensions. Fortunately for the current leaders, team captain and goalkeeper Rogerio Ceni has been cleared to play, after suffering an injury in the final moments of the game against Internacional on Sunday. The team will have a tough meeting on Wednesday in Sao Caetano, against a team that is fighting to remain in the First Division. Winless in seven, the team will have to play a lot better than it has recently to beat a team unbeaten in nine. Marcelinho and Wellington Amorim return from suspension, while defender Gustavo, midfielder Leandro Lima and forward Gustavo Gaucho are back from injury. Defender Mauricio is out for the locals after being sent off in the team's last match. Defenders Alex Silva and Edcarlos, and left-back Junior are all out suspended for Sao Paulo. Right-back Souza is questionable, and forward Aloisio is also out due to injury. Forward Leandro may return to the team. Due to the injuries, and Sao Paulo's recent trouble in getting two straight wins, a draw may not be that surprising.
CORINTHIANS x VASCO: Reborn after a tough first half, the defending champions face Vasco for the third time in two weeks, having won the previous two meetings that were valid for the Copa Sudamericana. The team from Sao Paulo has not lost to Vasco in 11 matches, dating back to 2001, winning seven and tying four of those games. Playing again at home, the team should be considered the favorite, against a falling Vasco side that is just clinging to the last Libertadores spot. Vasco is unbeaten in seven, but has drawn its last four games. Corinthians, on the other hand, is unbeaten in four, and will try to get its fourth win in five matches. Trying to make matters worse for the locals, Vasco will have a new 3-5-2 tactic in place. Defender Jorge Luiz remains out, and defensive midfielder Amaral enters the team in place of Ygor, who will be asked to play as a sweeper. Right-back Claudemir replaces Wagner Diniz, injured. Full-backs Eduardo Ratinho and Gustavo Nery, as well as forward Rafael Moura, return to Corinthians after a one-game suspension. Despite a slight Corinthians edge, a draw is also possible.
FLAMENGO x CRUZEIRO: After beating Botafogo and Fortaleza, Flamengo has managed to stay out of the bottom four in the standings. However, the team has not been able to pull away from the relegation zone by more than a point, which means it could return to it at any time. Fortunately for the loyal red-and-black fans, the team faces an inconsistent Cruzeiro side on Thursday at the Maracana Stadium. Despite and important 1-0 home win over Palmeiras last Sunday, the team from Belo Horizonte has lost its last six matches away from home. For the locals, Rodrigo Arroz, Leo Medeiros e Toro will play in midfield replacing Paulinho and Leo, suspended, and injured Renato Augusto. Forward Luizao returns from a game suspension. Cruzeiro will miss defender Gladstone and midfielder Sandro, suspended, as well as left-back Leandro and his immediate substitute, Julio Cesar, injured. Defensive midfielder Jonilson and forward Elber remain out, recovering from injuries.
SANTA CRUZ x PALMEIRAS: Palmeiras travels to Recife trying to recover from the 1-0 loss away to Cruzeiro that saw the team's 11-game unbeaten streak come to an end. Santa Cruz may be the perfect opposition for that. Dead last with little chance of escaping a return to the Second Division next year, the team from Recife is on a ten-game winless streak that includes the current run of five straight losses. Forward Nene returns to the team, but three players remain out: defender Marcio Alemao, left-back Cassio and forward Edson Pele. The locals' only other change in regards to the team that lost to Atletico Paranaense will be the return of defensive midfielder Augusto Recife. Paulo Baier is out injured for Palmeiras, which will also be without defenders Nen and Alceu, suspended. Surprises can always happen, of course, but this looks like it's Palmeiras game to lose.
posted by fejas @ 10:20 AM
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