Brazilian Serie A - 14th round

Seven games open the 14th round of the Brazilian Serie A on Wednesday, with three games left for Thursday.

Here's a preview of tonight's games:

ATLETICO PARANAENSE-CRUZEIRO
Cruzeiro travels to Curitiba trying to overcome last Sunday's 2-1 home defeat to Sao Paulo. Atletico, on the other hand, hopes that home field advantage will give the team the energy it lacked in a road loss to America Natal on Saturday, the first points gained by America at home this season. Defender Danilo returns from a two-game suspension for Atletico, while midfielder Valencia has been ruled fit to play by the medical staff. Right-back Nei also returns, replacing injured Jancarlos. Three players are out for Cruzeiro. Midfielder Charles and forward Roni are suspended, and midfielder Leandro Domingues is injured.

GOIAS-SANTOS
After a long stay among the top four, Goias is slowly starting to fall from the leading block in the standings. After a draw at home and two road losses in its last three games (including a 3-0 loss to Fluminense on Sunday), the team has fallen from second to sixth in the table. Santos is moving in the opposite direction, having won three and tied one game in its last four matches. Right-back Alessandro and midfielder Maldonado are out with injuries for Santos. Goias will have the return of several important players from injury or suspension: Paulo Baier, Elson and Leonardo, as well as Fabricio Carvalho and Vitor.

NAUTICO-GREMIO
The locals are coming off an excellent 3-0 road win over Corinthians on Sunday, while Gremio managed to keep its efficient play intact in a 1-0 win at home over Flamengo to reach fourth in the standings. This is a re-enactment of the classic 2005 battle of the Aflitos Stadium, when Gremio heroically won a match against Nautico on the road in the last day of the season to earn promotion to the Serie A. The team from Recife would need to wait another year to leave the Serie B. Defender Onildo is out with an injury for the locals. For Gremio, defender Schiavi is suspended.

FLAMENGO-AMERICA NATAL
The match of the desperate features last place Flamengo against second last America Natal. Flamengo is coming off two straight losses, but still has three games in hand in comparison to most other teams. If the team doesn't start winning again soon, these three games won't matter much though. America finally won some points on home ground with a 2-1 win over Atletico Paranaense, but now returns to the road for a very difficult game against a determined team. The locals - who will play away from Rio one more time, due to the ongoing Pan American Games - have only one change in relation to the team that lost to Gremio on Sunday, with forward Obina, a fan favourite, replacing Souza, who was sent off in that game. America will be without suspended left-back Marcio Goiano, forward Nunes, who was sold to a foreign team, and injured defender Cris.

PALMEIRAS-VASCO
Both teams are just outside the Copa Libertadores qualification zone, and know that all remaining matches can play a crucial part in determining the final standings at the end of the year. Vasco defeated Atletico Mineiro 4-0 at home on the weekend, and hopes to carry some momentum into the road to face Palmeiras, which lost for the first time in six games when it travelled to Curitiba and was defeated by Parana (0-1) on Sunday. Defender Dininho was sent off against Parana and will not be able to play for Palmeiras. Max trades places with Luiz Henrique on attack, starting the match while his teamate goes to the bench. Vasco won only once on the road this season, remaining unbeaten at home. Defender Dudar is out injured for Vasco.

FIGUEIRENSE-CORINTHIANS
Corinthians coach Paulo Cesar Carpegiani knows that his days ahead of the team are numbered if he is to lose again. His team fell to the relegation zone after losing 3-0 at home to Nautico on the weekend. This Wednesday's opponent, Figueirense, is a lot tougher than Nautico, and also desperately needs to win again to regain lost ground after two straight losses. Carpegiani will likely change the attack, which has had trouble scoring recently, and forward Finazzi will be left out of the team. Left back Marcelo Oliveira is suspended, while midfielder Rosinei is injured. Figueirense will be without forward Victor Simoes, sold to a South Korean team, and defensive midfielder Henrique, suspended. Carlinhos and Fernandes are out injured, but defender Chicao can return after being nearly one month away from the team since pulling a muscle.

INTERNACIONAL-PARANA
Inter had its three-game winning streak snapped in the regional derby against Juventude last weekend, while Parana shows signs of recovery after two straight wins lifted the team back into the top four. For Inter, defender Sidnei leaves the team injured, being replaced by left back Hidalgo. Defender Marcao, who had been playing as the left back, moves back into his natural position. Forward Iarley returns from suspension and will likely replace Christian alongside young sensation Alexandre Pato in attack. Defender Neguette is suspended for Parana, while goalkeeper Flavio and defender Daniel Marques are still out injured.

Three games complete the round tomorrow, with leaders Botafogo hosting Juventude, red-hot Fluminense going to Belo Horizonte to face Atletico Mineiro (under new coach Emerson Leao, who replaced fired Zetti), and second place Sao Paulo trying to make the most of its home game against Sport.