Tuesday 1 June 2010

Campeonato Brasileiro Série A Week 6 Preview

Atlético Paranaense x Botafogo
Fluminense x Vitória
Prudente x Atlético Goianiense
Ceará x Avaí
Palmeiras x Flamengo
Goiás x São Paulo
Cruzeiro x Santos
Grêmio x Atlético Miniero
Vasco da Gama x Guarani
Corinthians x Internacional

Week Six of the Brasileiro is the penultimate round before the month long World Cup break and the second midweek round of the season. The week opens up with three early games on Wednesday night. Atlético-PR host Botafogo in what is becoming a must win game for the home side. Their defeat to Internacional at the weekend exposed their weaknesses in defence and attack. Botafogo currently lie fifth after the weekend and will be looking to do better than their last away trip at Cruzeiro. Fluminense lie third after their back to back wins and will be favourites against a Vitória side that has struggled for goals so far, bar their only win of the season against Atlético-MG. Prudente's decent home form should be enough to see them home against an Atlético-GO side that is really struggling to find it's feet in the top flight. OK, this game may be 17th v 20th but there should be only one winner.

The later games on Wednesday begin with Ceará looking to defend their 100% percent home record against Avaí. The win against Cruzeiro lifted the newly promoted club into second. Avaí haven't been as effective on the road and the goalless draw at weekend against Vitória was a disappointment. Then, what probably is the game of the round as Palmeiras take on Flamengo at the Pacaembu. Palmeiras have made a decent start to the season after their poor Paulista season and currently lie sixth. Flamengo have had more turmoil, failure in the Carioca and Libertadores has seen Zico appointed director of football and despite dominating at the weekend they were held at home by the travel sick Grêmio. It's a big test for both sides and one which may set their paths for the season ahead. Goiás got their season underway with a win in the derby at the weekend whilst São Paulo drew a blank at Guarani. Touch to call this one but you should expect the visitors to have too much and take the points from this one. The last game on Wednesday sees Cruzeiro entertain Santos. Santos will be smarting from their first defeat of the season at rivals Corinthians while Cruzeiro will have a point or two to prove after defeat at Ceará at the weekend.

Thursday night sees Atlético-MG having the unenviable task of of snapping a two game losing streak at Fortress Grêmio. Despite still being able to find the net on attack the Atlético-MG defence has been leaking too many goals and Grêmio isn't the place for bad defending. In a clash of promoted clubs Vasco da Gama entertain Guarani and both clubs have had contrasting starts to the season. Vasco have stuggled to get their season going but the come from behind defeat of Internacional will have given them the confidence ahead of this game. Guarani have only one defeat so far this season, that at Santos, but are slowly becoming the draw specialists. Finally Corinthians will look to hold onto top spot when they entertain Internacional. Inter, who are on the look out for a new coach after the sacking of Jorge Fossati, will be looking to bounce back from their defeat at Vasco at the weekend after being two goals to the good at one stage. Corinthians will take much confidence from their victory over Santos at the weekend and despite being without Ronaldo look favourites to go into the break top of the table.

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