Wednesday 25 August 2010

Campeonato Brasileiro Série A Week 16 Preview

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

Fluminense got legged up at the weekend after the draw with Vasco saw their lead at the top of the table cut to two points but they should get back to wining ways when they visit at Goiás side that can't buy a win in the league at the moment. The form table has Fluminense in second and Goiás rock bottom at the moment so the sensible money will be on the Tricolor. Internacional need to get the Libertadores win out of the sytem now if they are the have an impact on the title race. Sandro now has departed for Tottenham but they recently acquired Ilan who was a West Ham last season. They visit Avaí who came unstuck against Botafogo at the weekend and the Recassada is no easy place to visit, Avaí have lost only once at home this season, sit fifth in the table a point ahead of Inter and the winner of this could end up in the top 4 come the end of the round. Botafogo are the form horses in the league at the moment, unbeaten in their last four they have shot up they table and they entertain a Ceará side that have the same number of points as Fogo but have been patchy in form since the world cup break. Despite the absence still of El Loco Abreu it's not affecting Fogo and they will look to keep their good run going.

Prudente, after their three point deduction, took care of Goiás at the weekend but entertain an Atlético-PR team on a high after victory over the champions at the weekend. This three lost points could be crucial in the long run for Prudente and they will be looking to try and give them some breating space from the bottom four. Atlético-PR though need to try and string some consecutive wins together though to avoid another battle with the drop. Vasco enter the Morumbi fancying their chances against a real out of sorts São Paulo. Vasco are still unbeaten since the break and if they had turned more of their draws into wins they'd be even higher in the table. São Paulo are only two points away from relegation trouble and really need to get their season back on track as making Libertadores qualification is a huge ask at the moment. Corinthians will look to close the gap on Fluminense when they travel to the Mineirão to take on Cruzeiro. Defeat at home on the weekend to Vitória wasn't in the script and they will be looking for their first win in four. Corinthains got back to winning ways with victory over São Paulo at the weekend and this is a big test for them if they are to be crowned champions come December. Grêmio are back on home soil and they look at escape the drop zone, even their form at home this year hasn't matched previous season and if their shocking road form continues it is going to be this that is going to save them. Santos still have designs on the title and winning at the Olímpico will send out a message to the rest of the teams in the league that they want to make it a league and cup double this year.

Flamengo welcomes Atlético-MG to the Maracanã as they look to get back into winning ways after defeat at the weekend. Atlético-MG have actually got more goals in the league than Flamengo, but the Rubro-Negro are sorely missing Adriano and Wágner Love as they goals seem to have dried up. The difference is in the defence, Atlético-MG have the worst defence in the league and even this goal shy Flamengo team may just have too much. Vitória entertain Guarani and after back to back wins in the league it seems they have got over the disappointment of their cup final defeat. Guarani are making a good fist of things back in the top flight and they are settled in mid table but don't seem to be able to put a string of decent results together, their failure against Atlético-MG a couple of rounds ago being a case in point. Finally the draw specialists Palmeiras welcomes bottom of the tabl Atlético-GO to the Pacaembu. Although only one defeat in the league since the world cup break, Scolari needs to get his team winning rather than drawing and this is an ideal opportunity for them. Atlético-GO have only two victories to their name all season, the last that stunning success over Corinthians six rounds ago but victories here and there are no good at all if they are to retain their status in the top flight next year.

A round up, should appear on Friday.

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