Match Previews

Match day 28 preview – A NEW LEADER 

Its been yet another turbulent and tantailzing match week in Brazil and going into a crucial mid week fixture list, from Wednesday 15th fans can look forward to a whole week of none stop  action from Sao Paulo to Salvador, as this years Serie A season reaches its climax  First things first though, lets get to match round twenty eight. 

Palmeiras v Red Bull Bragantino

We have a new leader! The Palm trees surpassed Felipe Luiz’s Flamengo to reach the summit of Serie A on Saturday evening as they thrashed Juve 4-1 and they will be looking to further strengthen their position with another home win over RB. A home win looks likely as Abel Ferreira’s men haven’t lost at The Alianz Parque since late May. Bragantino on the other hand have no away wins in seven games. 

Prediction: 3-0

Botafogo v Flamengo 

Flamengo travel across Rio to face Fogo who have been on a steady course under Davide Ancelotti. Although never quite reaching the heights of last season, they still find themselves in fifth position and a stones throw away from the top four. Flamengo are off top spot for now after a couple of slip ups and will be keen to get back on track with a win over their city rivals. 

Prediction: 1-3

Mirassol v Inter 

Marvellous Mirassol keep going from strength to strength after a fairy tale season. They currently sit in fourth position and could further cement their top four credentials with another win on Thursday.  After a mini blip they got back to  winning ways against Flu as they continue to surprise and delight the league.  Inter’s new manager, Ramon Diaz will be looking to gain momentum after he led his side to an impressive win over Fogo last time out. Can he follow it up with another win here? It would be Inter’s first away success since early August. 

Prediction: 2-1

Sport Recife v Ceara 

Two promoted sides who have had very different seasons. Ceara sitting steadily in mid table while Sport Recife stare down the barrel of an immediate return to Serie B.  The home side sit twelve points from safety and look all but down currently. Meanwhile Ceara have looked after themselves well and will be looking to look up the table with a win here.

Prediction: 0-1 

Galo v Cruzeiro

The big one, The Classico Mineiro these two do not like one another that is for sure! Galo will want to regain bragging rights after having been embarrassed by their city rivals when dumped out of the Copa do Brazil last month. It’s not been a great season for the Roosters, and with a Sudamericana semi final on the horizon, they may have bigger fish to fry,  but a win here would be very welcome indeed. Cruzeiro have had an impressive season but have hit a wall recently with no wins in three. They’re still keeping pace just about with the leaders but defeat here could spell the end of their title push. 

Prediction: 2-1 

Fortaleza v Vasco

A disappointing season for Fortaleza on the whole but two wins in their last three games against relegation rivals Sport Recife and Juventude respectively will have given them hope of a great  escape. They currently sit four points from safety and a win here would give them even more hope of staying up. Vasco have been in good form having only lost one of their last five games, winning three of those. Gigante de colina’s young players have stepped up in recent times and the form of veteran Phil Coutinho has also been inspired recently. 

Prediction: 1-3

Santos v Corinthians 

Santos have slipped back towards the relegation zone in recent times with a sequence of only one win in five league games, they’ll be looking for better against close geographical rivals, Corinthians. Timao find themselves treading water again this season with a series of inconsistent results having them sitting in 12th position. Shining lights in their squad like Yuri Alberto and Memphis haven’t been on the score sheet enough, however the emergence of youngster, Gui Negao has to be a positive for Dorival Junior. 

Prediction: 1-1

Gremio v Sao Paulo 

Gremio, in recent weeks have hauled themselves up into the relative safety of 13th place with a sequence of results of just one defeat in the last five games, Mano has his team well organised and hard to beat. Sao Paulo on the other hand are nosediving. After a solid start in charge, Hernan Crespo has seen his team win just once in the last six games including crashing out of the Copa Libertadores. Crespo’s team also gave up a two goal lead against leaders, Palmeiras last time out so will be hoping for better this time round. 

Prediction: 2-0

Fluminense v Juventude 

Since the change in management happened at Flu there has been a obvious up turn in results. Zubeldia has only lost one of his four games in charge so far and has won both of his games at The Mario Filho without conceding a goal so a home win might be the most likely outcome here as opponents Juventude have not won away from home since August, that being their only win away all season. 

Prediction: 2-0

Vitoria v Bahia 

Vitoria have had a season of change so it is no surprise they sit in 17th position. They are now on their forth manager of the season after recently appointing experienced manager Jair Ventura. They are only three points off safety and a win here would give them confidence going into the final ten games of the season. Their visitors on Thursday evening are Bahia, who after an impressive season have hit the buffers slightly. However, after a fantastic win over Flamengo last time out they will have been reminded of their qualities and why they sit in 6th position.

Prediction: 0-3