Cross-city rivals Sao Paulo and Palmeiras lock horns at Morumbi on Sunday as the hosts aim to end Verdao's unbeaten start to the Campeonato Brasileiro Serie A campaign.
Second-placed Palmeiras are the only team without a loss to their name this season, although eighth-placed Sao Paulo remain just four points behind their old foes.
Match preview
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Sao Paulo head into Sunday's showdown on the back of a resounding 5-0 thrashing of Deportes Tolima in the Copa Sudamericana, with Caio Paulista bagging a brace against the Colombian side in midweek.
O Clube da Fe have been almost unstoppable in the Copa Sudamericana this year, taking 13 points from a possible 15 without conceding a single goal, and they can now plan for life in the knockout phase of South America's secondary club competition.
It is fair to say that Sao Paulo have also enjoyed a solid start to the Brasileiro season, losing just two of their opening nine outings while posting a seven-game unbeaten streak between April and May.
Better still, Dorival Junior's men have suffered only two defeats in their last 15 matches across all competitions, scoring at least two goals on eight occasions while keeping nine clean sheets for good measure.
Having won six of their previous seven home games – scoring 19 goals while achieving four shutouts – Sao Paulo will be hopeful of halting Palmeiras' unbeaten start to the Serie A season.
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With five wins and four draws under their belt, Palmeiras find themselves second in the Brasileiro table – two points shy of first-placed Botafogo – having so far avoided defeat in the league this term.
It is also worth pointing out that Palmeiras are the division's top scorers, as they have racked up 20 goals in nine outings, meaning that Abel Ferreira's men average more than two goals per game in Serie A.
Like Sao Paulo, Palmeiras enter Sunday's clash on the back of a high-scoring continental triumph, as Verdao crushed Ecuadorian outfit Barcelona SC 4-2 in the Copa Libertadores, picking up their fourth victory in five Group C matches.
Thanks to that victory, Ferreira's men have now won 12 of their previous 18 encounters across all competitions, suffering a solitary defeat in the process.
Although Palmeiras endured a 1-0 cup defeat at Fortaleza last month, Verdao have lost just three of their 16 away games in 2023, so the visitors will back themselves to avoid defeat at Morumbi this weekend.
Team News
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It is no exaggeration to say that Sao Paulo's squad is ravaged by injuries, with Jandrei, Nahuel Ferraresi, Welington, Igor Vinicius, Jaoa Moreira, Talles Costa, Giuliano Galoppo, Andre Anderson and Erison all on the sidelines.
To make matters worse for Dorival Junior, Alexandre Pato has not featured for the club since returning earlier this year, as the former AC Milan striker remains sidelined following knee surgery.
Jonathan Calleri is expected to lead the line for the hosts on Sunday, with Michel Araujo and Wellington Rato likely to support the lone striker in a 3-4-2-1 formation.
On the flip side, Palmeiras look set to be without the injured trio of Eduard Atuesta, Marcos Rocha and Murilo this weekend, although Giovani could return after representing Brazil at the Under-20 World Cup.
Having bagged a brace in last weekend's 3-1 victory over Coritiba, Rony will continue to lead the line for Verdao, while winger Artur will aim to enhance his tally of four league goals.
Real Madrid-bound Endrick has made one start and six substitute appearances in Serie A this term, so the 16-year-old prodigy may have to settle for a spot on the bench this weekend.
Sao Paulo possible starting lineup:
Rafael; Franco, Arboleda, Beraldo; Ramos, Alisson, Maia, Paulista; Rato, Araujo; Calleri
Palmeiras possible starting lineup:
Weverton; Mayke, Luan, Gomez, Piquerez; Ze Rafael, Menino; Artur, Guilherme, Dudu; Rony
We say: Sao Paulo 2-2 Palmeiras
Given that Palmeiras remain unbeaten in Serie A this season, we expect the visitors to avoid defeat at Morumbi, but Sao Paulo's strong home form suggests that Dorival Junior's men will get something from Sunday's showdown.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
Top tip
Ben Morris
