Seven matches in the Brazilian Serie A on Sunday

Seven matches complete the 21st round of the Brazilian Serie A on Sunday:

ATLETICO MINEIRO x BOTAFOGO
Botafogo tries to keep close to the leaders when it travels to Belo Horizonte to face Atletico Mineiro, still trying to approach the top of the standings but safe enough from the bottom of the table. Defender Marcos and midfielder Rafael Miranda return to Atletico. Midfielder Bilu is injured and will be out though. For the visitors, Diguinho, Dodo and Adriano Felicio are injured. Tulio is questionable, Leandro Guerreiro is suspended and Athirson still isn't fully fit. Botafogo beat Atletico 2-1 when they met in the second round.

PARANA x JUVENTUDE
Juventude's 4-0 away loss to Flamengo put the team into an even deeper hole, keeping the team on course to the Serie B. Parana will try to take advantage of that, to distance itself from the bottom four. Parana will have the debut of new coach Lori Sandri, after former coach Gilson Kleina and six players left the club. Defensive midfielder and captain Beto is out injured. Juventude may have Marcio Azevedo as the new right-back, with midfielder Manzini also joining the team. In the second round, Parana won at Caxias, 2-1.

SAO PAULO x NAUTICO
With Cruzeiro's win on Saturday, Sao Paulo knows it must win on Sunday to keep a more comfortable lead in the standings. Unbeaten in eight, the team should view this match against Nautico as a mandatory three-pointer. A loss or a draw could have terrible consequences to the morale of the team, especially with Cruzeiro closing the gap. Nautico hopes to give the locals a hard time, as it did in the second round, when it won the matchup at home, 1-0. Sao Paulo may have Borges in the attack, with Dagoberto moving to the bench. Nautico will take a defensive approach, and will be without injured forward Felipe and midfielder Juliano, and suspended forward Ferreira and midfielder Radames.

FIGUEIRENSE x PALMEIRAS
The locals must get points at home to keep themselves above the top four. The visitors have a great road record, and try to return to the top four. Dininho and Pierre are suspended for Palmeiras, while full-back Wendel joins the team replacing Paulo Sergio. Wings Ruy and Andre Santos are suspended for the locals. Palmeiras won the first matchup between the two this season, with a 2-1 home win in the second round.

FLAMENGO x GOIAS
Flamengo's win at home over Juventude put the team on its way to escape the relegation zone. This could happen as soon as this Sunday, with a win over Goias. The visitors can be a tough opponent though, and are still hopeful they can get a Libertadores spot this season. For Flamengo, Renato Augusto is still out, and Roger is questionable in midfield. In the attack, coach Joel Santana hasn't made up his mind in regards to who is going to play alongside Maxi Biancucchi: Obina or Souza. The visitors hope to take advantage of counter-attacks to surprise Flamengo. Goias was surprised at home by Flamengo in the second round, losing 3-1.

AMERICA NATAL x SANTOS
It looks like only a miracle can save America from the Serie B. Likewise, only a series of events will put Santos back on the title race. The locals have the return of midfielder Souza and full-backs Nei Santos and Adriano Peixe, but goalkeeper Rene was sold to Serie B's Gama. Santos will be without suspended midfielder Pedrinho. Left-back Kleber, who was with Brazil's National Team, will play. America had a rare successful outing on the road in the second round, beating Santos 3-2 at the Vila Belmiro.

SPORT x VASCO
Vasco tries to keep its difference to second place Cruzeiro limited to one point when it travels to Recife to face Sport this Sunday. The locals, on the other hand, will try to get at least a point here, knowing that the relegation zone can soon approach them if they start losing too may points. Forward Enilton is out injured for Vasco. Sport will be without forward Weldon, who was sold to Portugal's Belenenses. Midfielder Adriano Gabiru also returns to the team. Vasco gave Sport no chance in the second round, winning 3-1 at home.