Relegation-threatened Bragantino can end a lengthy winless run in the Brasileiro Serie A on Wednesday when they host Sao Paulo at Estadio Nabi Abi Chedid.
Last Saturday, Braga played to a 0-0 draw with Atletico Goianiense, putting them a point below the relegation line, while Sao Paulo are sixth following a narrow 2-1 triumph versus Athletico Paranaense.
Match preview
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It has been a rough few months for Bragantino, who have slid further and further down the table and are in the midst of a lengthy slump.
Since defeating Bahia 2-1 in their opening league fixture in September, the Red Bull side have gone winless in nine consecutive domestic outings.
They have five games remaining to try to avoid dropping down into Serie B for the first time under the Red Bull name, with all of their remaining league encounters being against sides currently above them in the standings.
In recent weeks, the problem for Fernando Seabra's men has been a lack of quality in the attacking third, failing to find the back of the net in their last five Serie A affairs.
Three of their remaining domestic contests take place at Estadio Nabi Abi Chedid, where they are winless in five consecutive matches but have claimed at least a point in five of their previous six encounters.
Since the club's rebranding in 2020, they have never lost a home contest versus Sao Paulo, winning four of their six meetings against them in Braganca Paulista.
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While Bragantino have consistently struggled in league play for months, it has been the opposite story for Sao Paulo heading into matchday 34 of the top-flight campaign.
With 10 points in their last four Brasileiro Serie A affairs, Soberano are in contention to claim one of the four automatic places in the Copa Libertadores group stage next year, currently sitting two points behind Flamengo for fourth.
At the very least, Luis Zubeldia's side are likely to claim one of the Libertadores qualifying spots, sitting 10 points above Cruzeiro for that final position with only five league contests remaining.
On Wednesday, Sao Paulo have a chance to claim at least a point in three successive away matches in this competition for only the second time this season, having gone unbeaten in four straight games as the visitors from April to June.
Sao Paulo have won their last five league contests when netting multiple times and have not lost a domestic encounter all season when doing so.
Tricolor Paulista are unbeaten in their previous four meetings versus Bragantino, failing to concede in their last two Serie A victories against them.
Team News
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Several Braga players will be questionable for this encounter, including Nathan Camargo, who has a sore knee, while Leo Realpe and Thiago Borbas are dealing with thigh issues.
Henry Mosquera is doubtful because of a groin strain, and Nathan Mendes is not expected to play in this one as he has a leg injury.
Cleiton faced four Atletico Goianiense efforts in their previous game and stopped them all for his second successive clean sheet in this competition.
On the Sao Paulo side, Pablo Maia and Welington are unlikely to feature in midweek with thigh injuries, while Patryck may be a game-time decision due to a shoulder strain.
Michel Araujo might not be available again because of a sore knee, Robert Arboleda has a problem with his leg and Jamal Lewis continues to recover from an ankle injury.
Luciano and Andre Silva scored in the first and second half respectively against El Paranaense, enabling them to claim another three points.
Bragantino possible starting lineup:
Cleiton; Hurtado, Henrique, Santos, Capixaba; Jadsom, Evangelista; Vitinho, Neves, Lincoln; Sasha
Sao Paulo possible starting lineup:
Rafael; Vinicius, Tressoldi, Franco, Sabino; Antonio, Alisson; Moura, Luciano, Silva; Calleri
We say: Bragantino 0-1 Sao Paulo
Bragantino are in a tailspin at the moment and are understandably frustrated, and we believe that will continue against a Sao Paulo side who appear to be peaking at the right time.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
Joel Lefevre
