Looking to secure their maiden win of the 2024 Brasileiro campaign at the ninth attempt, bottom side Vitoria will welcome Internacional to Estadio Manoel Barradas on Sunday afternoon.
The Black and Red have managed to get back on track slightly with successive draws recently, whilst the Reds will be aiming to extend their unbeaten streak to five matches.
Match preview
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After the highs of back-to-back promotions from the third tier of Brazilian football to the top table over the past two years, Vitoria are now experiencing serious struggles as they still attempt to adapt to life in the Brasileiro, with their wait for a victory heading into a ninth match.
That being said, the Black and Red have secured two of their three league points so far during the last two games, sharing both Cuiaba and newly-promoted Juventude to a share of the spoils, with 31-year-old midfielder Willian scoring his second of the term in the stalemate on June 11.
Having only joined the club in the middle of May, 39-year-old head coach Thiago Carpini is yet to earn his first success in charge of Vitoria, however the former Bahia player has impressive experience in management for his age, taking charge of Sao Paulo for a brief spell earlier in 2024.
Following the collection of just three points in their opening eight matches of the Brasileiro term, Sunday's hosts sit rock bottom of the top-flight standings, six points behind 2023 FIFA Club World Cup headliners Fluminense, who are currently in the relative safety of 16th.
Internacional's unbeaten streak across the Brasileiro and the Copa Sudamericana extended to four matches on Thursday night, when they managed to share the points with Sao Paulo at Estadio Heriberto Hulse in Santa Catarina.
Despite having more of the possession, the Reds were unable to register a shot on the visitors' net, leading to a comfortable contest and clean sheet for Jandrei, who was joined in the shutout club by his opposite number Fabricio.
Having tasted defeat in just one of their opening six Brasileiro matches during the 2024 schedule, Sunday's visitors sit 10th in the league table, six points behind league leaders Flamengo, who have enjoyed a sensational start to the season under former Brazil manager Tite.
Having struggled for a consistent end product during his spells at Vitoria, Palmeiras and Cruzeiro, winger Wesley is one goal away from equalling his best-ever campaign in front of net across all competitions, with the 25-year-old netting on four occasions so far in 2024.
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Vitoria remain without the services of centre-back Bruno Uvini, who is sidelined until the end of the month due to a thigh injury sustained on June 1.
The hosts will also be unable to call upon the talents of winger Daniel, with the 22-year-old also struggling with a thigh issue, as is the case with Uvini.
Internacional have a host of first-team stars unavailable due to their involvement on the international stage this summer, including Rafael Santos Borre and former West Ham United man Enner Valencia.
Owing to a shoulder injury, 31-year-old Lucas Alario will be unable to add to his modest tally of two appearances in the Brasileiro so far in 2024.
Vitoria possible starting lineup:
Arcanjo; Lepo, Camutanga, Leonardo, Esteves; Willian, Santos, Leo; Matheusinho, Castillo, Alerrandro
Internacional possible starting lineup:
Fabricio; Bustos, Vitao, Fernando, Rene; Maia, Henrique, Aranguiz, Hyoran, Wesley; Lucca
We say: Vitoria 1-2 Internacional
With Internacional having a number of first-team stars away on international duty, Vitoria will be targeting their first maximum of the season at home on Sunday.
Despite this, the Reds have been very promising over recent weeks and should have enough quality to extend their unbeaten streak in all competitions to five games.
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Carter White
