Friday 6 August 2010

Campeonato Brasileiro Série A Week 13 Preview

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

Week 13 in Série A and only nine games as the CBF have called off the game between Santos and Internacional to give the Porto Alegre side plenty of preparation ahead of their first leg of the Libertadores in Mexico on Wednesday night. So, we start on Saturday with two games and Botafogo welcome Atlético-MG to the Engenhão. Boosted by victory last time out Fogo will be looking to put a string of wins together and they will have this one down as winable. Atlético-MG were in action in midweek in the Sudamericana and they need to start picking points up and getting out of the relegation zone. Avaí are one of the form horses in the competition at the moment but the trip up to Guarani is a test if they are to stay in contention in the title race. The Sunday games open with a massive clash at the Pacaembu as Corinthians and Flamengo meet for the third time this year. The previous meetings in the Libertadores saw Flamengo advance on away goals and Corinthians will be looking for revenge on Sunday.

Palmeiras are still looking for their first victory since the arrival of Big Phil and the trip to an out of sorts Goiás gives them an opportunity to register a victory. Goiás were in midweek action in what was classed as the tie that no one wants to win and they too are winless since the break. After a promising start to the season, Ceará have stumbled since the break but still remain in the top four. They welcome bottom of the table Atléico-GO to the Castelão and they will be looking to get back on track. Top of the table Fluminense face their toughest test yet as they travel to Fortress Olímpico where Grêmio lie in wait. The form table doesn't lie, Fluminense are currently top of it but Grêmio don't tend to drop points at home as the Tricolor look to keep their place at the top of the table.

São Paulo's exit from the Libertadores in midweek leaves them with only Série A to concentrate on. Their win last time out was their first since the break but they are so out of form in the league it's untrue. Atlético-PR loss last time out snapped a two game winning run but they have been steadily climbing the league table and will be looking to take advantage if the disappointment of midweek is still lingering. Vasco da Gama welcome beaten cup finalists Vitória to the São Januário. Undefeated since the break, Vasco have climbed out of relegation zone during this run but despite a cup distraction Vitória have managed to keep their league form promising as well. After making their continental debut in midweek it's back to league action for Prudente as they travel to Cruzeiro. Cruzeiro's only blemish since the break was defeat at Fluminense whilst Prudente's came last week at home to Santos. Home advantage though could be the deciding factor in this one.

We'll be back on Monday with a full round up.

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