Vasco vs. Cruzeiro (Saturday, 8.00pm)
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Vasco da Gama will be looking to claw themselves out of danger at the foot of the Brasileiro when they host Cruzeiro at Estadio Sao Januario on Saturday evening.
The hosts currently lie in the relegation zone but could move level on points with safety if they were to win, while Cruzeiro are aiming to consolidate their place in the Copa Sudamericana spots.
We say: Vasco da Gama 0-1 Cruzeiro
Vasco da Gama unsurprisingly came out as second best against league leaders Botafogo last time out, but a home match on Saturday should be a good opportunity for Batista's men to get back into winning ways.
Cruzeiro are competing with the very best in the Brasileiro this term, and we believe they will narrowly come out on top at Estadio Sao Januario on the weekend.
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Cuiaba vs. Bahia (Saturday, 8.00pm)
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Two sides looking to open up some daylight between themselves and the relegation zone will face off this weekend when Cuiaba play host to Bahia at Arena Pantanal on Saturday.
The hosts are currently in 13th place in the Brasileiro with 15 points after 13 matches, while the visitors are down in 15th with 12 points, just a single point above Goias, who are the first side below the dotted line.
We say: Cuiaba 2-1 Bahia
Cuiaba's win over Santos last week would have provided a huge boost to the mood around the dressing room, and they will see this as a perfect opportunity to go back-to-back against a side that have been very poor on the road this season.
With as many as eight players likely to be ruled out for the visitors and just a three-day turnaround time from their last match, fatigue could be a major factor here for Bahia, and we feel that they will come up short in this one.
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Atletico Mineiro vs. Corinthians (Saturday, 10.30pm)
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After extending their winless streak to five games with a derby draw last week, Atletico Mineiro aim for an overdue success when Corinthians visit Mineirao on Saturday.
Atletico were held by local rivals America Mineiro last time out in the Campeonato Brasileiro, days before their Sao Paulo counterparts then lost to America in the cup.
We say: Atletico Mineiro 1-0 Corinthians
The perfect chance to end a drought could present itself to Atletico Mineiro this week - despite being without two key men. Just one win and six losses away from home sums up the struggles Corinthians have endured outside of Sao Paulo, and that trend should continue at Mineirao.
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Coritiba vs. America Mineiro (Saturday, 10.30pm)
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Coritiba will be looking to earn back-to-back victories when they host America Mineiro at Estadio Major Antonio Couto Pereira on Saturday afternoon in the Brasileiro.
Both sides are currently sitting in the relegation zone and require a serious upturn in results to avoid playing second-tier football in 2024.
We say: Coritiba 1-1 America Mineiro
Coritiba will have gained a little bit of confidence from their maiden Brasileiro win last time out, and they now have a good opportunity to record back-to-back successes as America come to town.
Mineiro have impressed in cup competitions of late but have struggled in the league, however we believe the visitors will be good enough for a point on Saturday afternoon.
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Palmeiras vs. Flamengo (Sunday, 1.00am)
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Fourth meets third when Palmeiras host Flamengo in the Brasileiro on Sunday.
Palmeiras have failed to win any of their last three league games, whereas Flamengo have prevailed in seven of their last nine.
We say: Palmeiras 2-2 Flamengo
This should be a hugely entertaining clash between two of Brazil's biggest clubs, who have won the latest three editions of the Copa Libertadores between them.
They are both chasing down runaway leaders Botafogo in the Brasileiro, making this a massively important fixture for both teams, but we can envisage them having to settle for a share of the spoils on Sunday.
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Barney Corkhill
