Brazilian Serie A - Round 27 preview
After a break due to the Election Day on Sunday, the Brazilian Serie A returns to full steam on Wednesday and Thursday, with round 27. All teams have now caught up and played the same number of games, with Sao Paulo clearing five points at the top of the table, in a race that still includes Gremio, Internacional and Santos. Seven games are scheduled for Wednesday, with the remaining three taking place on Thursday.
Here are my views for this round's games:
JUVENTUDE x ATLETICO PARANAENSE: Atletico is still concentrating on the Copa Sudamericana, where it has beaten River Plate last week in Buenos Aires. Even then, the team managed a good scoreless draw at home against Sao Paulo last Saturday, in the made up match that had been postponed due to the Libertadores final between Sao Paulo and Inter. This Wednesday the team travels to Caxias do Sul to face Juventude, as both teams are tied for 9th place with 35 points in the standings. Juventude is coming off three straight home wins and has lost only once at home this season, while Atletico drew once and lost another in its two last away matches. Denis Marques will not play for Atletico, with Paulo Rink replacing him in attack. Juventude will be without defender Fabricio, suspended, and midfielders Renan and Marcio Azevedo, injured.
PARANA x PONTE PRETA: Parana was not able to take advantage of its game in hand against Internacional, and lost 3-2 to the gauchos in Porto Alegre last Saturday. As a result, the team failed to claim fourth place from Inter, and remains in fifth in the last Libertadores spot. This week it has an easier assignment playing at home against Ponte Preta, currently in 17th place and in the bottom four. The locals have won three of their last four home games, while Ponte has managed only a draw in its last four away matches. Parana will be without defenders Emerson and Neguette, as well as midfielder Beto, suspended. Left-back Edinho will also sit out the game, injured. Three players are injured in the Ponte side and won't be able to play: right-back Nei and midfielders Thiago and Almir.
FORTALEZA x FIGUEIRENSE: Fortaleza knows its time is short to try to mount a last-minute rally to escape relegation. A 3-1 away win over Fluminense in its last match certainly looked promising, but the team does not have enough space left for losing points, especially at home. Figueirense can be a tough opponent however, despite winning only twice in its last 10 games. The locals will field the same team that beat Fluminense, while Figueirense will have its main defenders back from suspension, Chicao and Tiago Prado, as well as defensive midfielder Carlos Alberto, who also sat out last game with a suspension.
FLAMENGO x FLUMINENSE: The traditional Rio de Janeiro derby definitely doesn't carry the same importance as other games between the clubs in the past. Being closer to the relegation zone than the title race, Flamengo and Fluminense will just try to get some points here to enhance their chances of continuing in the Serie A in 2007. Flamengo had a three-game winning streak snapped in its last game, a 3-0 loss to Santos, while Fluminense has won only once in its last 10 games. Savio will play in midfield for Flamengo, with Obina and Luizao in attack and midfielder Renato taking a more defensive positioning. Fluminense has a new coach, with Paulo Cesar Gusmao making his debut in place of departed Antonio Lopes. Left back Marcelo will not play, but Petkovic may return.
GREMIO x PALMEIRAS: Gremio tries to recover from a humbling 4-0 away defeat to Goias by hosting Palmeiras. The locals have won their last seven home games, and that might prove enough to push the team to another victory here. The visitors have lost their last three away games, but will try to repeat the performance shown in its their last game, a 3-1 win over Sao Paulo just two days after coach Tite was fired by the team's board. Edmundo, Enilton and Wendel are out injured for Palmeiras. For Gremio, defensive midfielder Lucas is suspended, while forward Leo Lima is out after undergoing knee surgery. Important midfielder Hugo is back from suspension though.
SAO PAULO x VASCO: A loss and a draw in its last two games wasn't exactly how Sao Paulo wanted to have ended the month of September. Despite the small setback, the team still finds itself five points ahead of Gremio to lead the league. The team must start winning again though, or risk losing the title in the final 12 rounds still left to play. On Wednesday Sao Paulo faces Vasco at home. The visitors have drawn their last six games, and are looking to get back into the Libertadores qualification zone. Aloisio returns to the team's attack from injury, while goalkeeper Rogerio Ceni comes back after serving a one-match ban. Defensive midfielder Mineiro is out, called up to the Brazil squad that will face Kuwait and Ecuador this week. Leandro Amaral will start his first game in Vasco's attack, while Ramon leaves the midfield with an injury to his left ankle. Vasco's last win against Sao Paulo at the Morumbi was in 1989, when the team won the National title with a 1-0 win.
SAO CAETANO x GOIAS: Sao Caetano will have another tough battle in its quest to remain in the Brazilian football elite. Despite playing at home, the team faces a resurgent Goias side that beat Gremio 4-0 in its last outing. Tied for 18th place with just 26 points, the locals have not won in their last four home games. Goias is unbeaten in six, including two draws away from home. Full-back Triguinho returns to the home team, after one month out with a muscle injury, but midfielder Caninde is out suspended. Goias will be without defender Rogerio Correa, injured, with Cleber Gaucho and Leonardo returning to the team.
CRUZEIRO x INTERNACIONAL: Internacional will try to keep close to the title race when it travels to Belo Horizonte to face Cruzeiro. After a thrilling 3-2 win over Parana last weekend, Inter is now six points behind Sao Paulo and just one behind its crosstown rivals Gremio. Defeating Cruzeiro at the Mineirao Stadium is never easy however, despite the team's poor form this season. Cruzeiro is unbeaten in four at home, while Inter is coming off two straight away losses. Cruzeiro will use the same team that beat Ponte Preta in its last outing, while Inter will be without left-back Hidalgo, who's with the Peruvian National team, and defensive midfielder Perdigao, suspended. Defensive midfielder Edinho is questionable, since he's still recovering from a muscle injury.
CORINTHIANS x SANTOS: The local Sao Paulo State derby features a recovering Corinthians side against a Santos team that must win or practically give up on any title hope it may have. Unbeaten in six, the locals have managed to climb out of the relegation zone, even if just by two points currently. Santos has managed only two wins in its last six games, and has been slowly distancing itself from leader Sao Paulo. The last game was a convincing 3-0 win over Flamengo, however, and coach Wanderley Luxemburgo hopes it will be enough to fire up the team for the final stretch in the league. Corinthians has the worst attack in the league, with just 25 goals for, while Santos boasts the best defense, with 24 goals against. Betao, Eduardo Ratinho and Carlos Alberto are suspended for Corinthians, with Edson and Gustavo Nery out injured. Santos will be without forwards Reinaldo and Jonas and defender Manzur.
BOTAFOGO x SANTA CRUZ: Botafogo's good play of late has seen the team create some insurance ahead of the bottom four, and the team is now even dreaming about reaching a Libertadores spot by reaching Parana, currently six points ahead. The traditional Rio de Janeiro side has a good chance for three points on Thursday, when it hosts last place Santa Cruz. The visitors are trying to put together a comeback, however, and have won two straight games. Even then, Santa is still eight points behind the team currently in 16th place in the standings, Corinthians. Left-back Junior Cesar is out suspended for the locals, while defender Valenca and defensive midfielder Junior Maranhao are injured for Santa Cruz.
Here are my views for this round's games:
JUVENTUDE x ATLETICO PARANAENSE: Atletico is still concentrating on the Copa Sudamericana, where it has beaten River Plate last week in Buenos Aires. Even then, the team managed a good scoreless draw at home against Sao Paulo last Saturday, in the made up match that had been postponed due to the Libertadores final between Sao Paulo and Inter. This Wednesday the team travels to Caxias do Sul to face Juventude, as both teams are tied for 9th place with 35 points in the standings. Juventude is coming off three straight home wins and has lost only once at home this season, while Atletico drew once and lost another in its two last away matches. Denis Marques will not play for Atletico, with Paulo Rink replacing him in attack. Juventude will be without defender Fabricio, suspended, and midfielders Renan and Marcio Azevedo, injured.
PARANA x PONTE PRETA: Parana was not able to take advantage of its game in hand against Internacional, and lost 3-2 to the gauchos in Porto Alegre last Saturday. As a result, the team failed to claim fourth place from Inter, and remains in fifth in the last Libertadores spot. This week it has an easier assignment playing at home against Ponte Preta, currently in 17th place and in the bottom four. The locals have won three of their last four home games, while Ponte has managed only a draw in its last four away matches. Parana will be without defenders Emerson and Neguette, as well as midfielder Beto, suspended. Left-back Edinho will also sit out the game, injured. Three players are injured in the Ponte side and won't be able to play: right-back Nei and midfielders Thiago and Almir.
FORTALEZA x FIGUEIRENSE: Fortaleza knows its time is short to try to mount a last-minute rally to escape relegation. A 3-1 away win over Fluminense in its last match certainly looked promising, but the team does not have enough space left for losing points, especially at home. Figueirense can be a tough opponent however, despite winning only twice in its last 10 games. The locals will field the same team that beat Fluminense, while Figueirense will have its main defenders back from suspension, Chicao and Tiago Prado, as well as defensive midfielder Carlos Alberto, who also sat out last game with a suspension.
FLAMENGO x FLUMINENSE: The traditional Rio de Janeiro derby definitely doesn't carry the same importance as other games between the clubs in the past. Being closer to the relegation zone than the title race, Flamengo and Fluminense will just try to get some points here to enhance their chances of continuing in the Serie A in 2007. Flamengo had a three-game winning streak snapped in its last game, a 3-0 loss to Santos, while Fluminense has won only once in its last 10 games. Savio will play in midfield for Flamengo, with Obina and Luizao in attack and midfielder Renato taking a more defensive positioning. Fluminense has a new coach, with Paulo Cesar Gusmao making his debut in place of departed Antonio Lopes. Left back Marcelo will not play, but Petkovic may return.
GREMIO x PALMEIRAS: Gremio tries to recover from a humbling 4-0 away defeat to Goias by hosting Palmeiras. The locals have won their last seven home games, and that might prove enough to push the team to another victory here. The visitors have lost their last three away games, but will try to repeat the performance shown in its their last game, a 3-1 win over Sao Paulo just two days after coach Tite was fired by the team's board. Edmundo, Enilton and Wendel are out injured for Palmeiras. For Gremio, defensive midfielder Lucas is suspended, while forward Leo Lima is out after undergoing knee surgery. Important midfielder Hugo is back from suspension though.
SAO PAULO x VASCO: A loss and a draw in its last two games wasn't exactly how Sao Paulo wanted to have ended the month of September. Despite the small setback, the team still finds itself five points ahead of Gremio to lead the league. The team must start winning again though, or risk losing the title in the final 12 rounds still left to play. On Wednesday Sao Paulo faces Vasco at home. The visitors have drawn their last six games, and are looking to get back into the Libertadores qualification zone. Aloisio returns to the team's attack from injury, while goalkeeper Rogerio Ceni comes back after serving a one-match ban. Defensive midfielder Mineiro is out, called up to the Brazil squad that will face Kuwait and Ecuador this week. Leandro Amaral will start his first game in Vasco's attack, while Ramon leaves the midfield with an injury to his left ankle. Vasco's last win against Sao Paulo at the Morumbi was in 1989, when the team won the National title with a 1-0 win.
SAO CAETANO x GOIAS: Sao Caetano will have another tough battle in its quest to remain in the Brazilian football elite. Despite playing at home, the team faces a resurgent Goias side that beat Gremio 4-0 in its last outing. Tied for 18th place with just 26 points, the locals have not won in their last four home games. Goias is unbeaten in six, including two draws away from home. Full-back Triguinho returns to the home team, after one month out with a muscle injury, but midfielder Caninde is out suspended. Goias will be without defender Rogerio Correa, injured, with Cleber Gaucho and Leonardo returning to the team.
CRUZEIRO x INTERNACIONAL: Internacional will try to keep close to the title race when it travels to Belo Horizonte to face Cruzeiro. After a thrilling 3-2 win over Parana last weekend, Inter is now six points behind Sao Paulo and just one behind its crosstown rivals Gremio. Defeating Cruzeiro at the Mineirao Stadium is never easy however, despite the team's poor form this season. Cruzeiro is unbeaten in four at home, while Inter is coming off two straight away losses. Cruzeiro will use the same team that beat Ponte Preta in its last outing, while Inter will be without left-back Hidalgo, who's with the Peruvian National team, and defensive midfielder Perdigao, suspended. Defensive midfielder Edinho is questionable, since he's still recovering from a muscle injury.
CORINTHIANS x SANTOS: The local Sao Paulo State derby features a recovering Corinthians side against a Santos team that must win or practically give up on any title hope it may have. Unbeaten in six, the locals have managed to climb out of the relegation zone, even if just by two points currently. Santos has managed only two wins in its last six games, and has been slowly distancing itself from leader Sao Paulo. The last game was a convincing 3-0 win over Flamengo, however, and coach Wanderley Luxemburgo hopes it will be enough to fire up the team for the final stretch in the league. Corinthians has the worst attack in the league, with just 25 goals for, while Santos boasts the best defense, with 24 goals against. Betao, Eduardo Ratinho and Carlos Alberto are suspended for Corinthians, with Edson and Gustavo Nery out injured. Santos will be without forwards Reinaldo and Jonas and defender Manzur.
BOTAFOGO x SANTA CRUZ: Botafogo's good play of late has seen the team create some insurance ahead of the bottom four, and the team is now even dreaming about reaching a Libertadores spot by reaching Parana, currently six points ahead. The traditional Rio de Janeiro side has a good chance for three points on Thursday, when it hosts last place Santa Cruz. The visitors are trying to put together a comeback, however, and have won two straight games. Even then, Santa is still eight points behind the team currently in 16th place in the standings, Corinthians. Left-back Junior Cesar is out suspended for the locals, while defender Valenca and defensive midfielder Junior Maranhao are injured for Santa Cruz.
posted by fejas @ 12:00 PM
Subscribe to Brazilian Futebol
0 Comments:
Post a Comment
<< Home