Santos x Atlético Goianiense
Last meeting: Week 3 - Atlético-GO 0-3 Santos
Recent League Form: Santos LLDWW Atlético-GO WLWLWD
Santos are back at the Vila Belmiro and after back to back defeats look to get back on the horse against an Atlético-GO side which has had impressive wins recently only to play poorly in the following game. Although a Libertadores place for Santos is guaranteed they can still win the title but need to get winning and quickly otherwise they will become just like Corinthians who put the cue well and truly on the rack after their Copa win last year. Atlético-GO might have the leading goal scorer in the competition in Elias but this isn't a night when he is going to make his mark.
Prediction: For the simple fact Atlético-GO can't win back to back, our money is on Santos
Cruzeiro x Guarani
Last meeting: Week 3 - Guarani 2-2 Cruzeiro
Recent League Form: Cruzeiro WWWWL Guarani WLWLW
Guarani are a bit like Atlético-GO, they can't string two wins back to back and a trip to the Mineirão to take on an in form Cruzeiro on the back of four straight wins isn't going to change anything in the pattern for Guarani.
Preditcion: Cruzeiro to make it 5 on the spin.
Grêmio x Palmeiras
Last meeting: Week 3 - Palmeiras 4-2 Grêmio
Recent League Form: Grêmio WWDWD Palmeiras DDLDW
Grêmio are another team in form, since slumping into the relegation zone they have strung together a decent run that has seen them climb into mid-table and over take Palmeiras in the table. Palmeiras have only lost 5 games all season, which is just one more than most of the clubs at the top of the table but 11 draws tells it own story. This is Grêmio at home though, and they are a different animal on home soil.
Prediction: Grêmio just to sneak home
Goiás x Botafogo
Last meeting: Week 3 - Botafogo 3-0 Goiás
Recent League Form: Goiás DWLLL Botafogo WWDWL
Goiás have embarked on their own little upturn in the last couple of games winning one, against Guarani, before collecting an impressive point at Internacional at weekend. When Botafogo got their season off the mark in the week 3 clash and since the world cup break have only had their colours lowered twice. El Loco is beginning to find the back of the net again and Fogo really are a team on the march
Prediction: Botafogo for us. Simply in a rich vein of form
Atlético Paranaense x Atlético Mineiro
Last meeting: Week 3 - Atlético-MG 3-1 Atlético-PR
Recent League Form: Atlético-MG WDLWL Atlético-PR LDWWD
Atlético-PR's long unbeaten run was surprisingly ended Guarani at the weekend whilst Atlético-MG are concentrating on getting themselves out of the relegation zone. Home advantage could be they key to this one as and with Atlético-MG only having a single win away from the Mineirão all season and Atlético-PR impressive at home it may just tip the scales
Prediction: Atlético-PR to get back on the horse
Fluminense x Corinthians
Last meeting: Week 3 - Corinthians 1-0 Fluminense
Recent League Form: Fluminense LWLDD Corinthians LDWWL
Quite simply the match of the round as the top two meet at the Engenhão. Chicão's goal separated the teams back in May and they have been the two dominant forces in the league so far this season. Victory for Fluminense would see them open up a six point lead over Corinthians, but the visitors still have a game in hand on Fluminense and that could prove crucial in the long run. Washington is firing in the goals for Fluminense at the moment but both sides have had the wobbles recently.
Prediction: Honours even in this one.
Prudente x Flamengo
Last meeting: Week 3: Flamengo 3-1 Prudente
Recent League Form: Prudente LDLLD Flamengo DLDLL
Two teams who haven't won since Week 15 in the case of Prudente and the week before for Flamengo clash at the Prudentão. Flamengo's recent fall has seen them slump to the edge of the relegation zone and if results don't go their way they could well end up there come Friday. Prudente have been rocked since the three point deduction and the spirit seems to be draining out of them as the weeks go by. This is a crucial match for both sides.
Prediction: Neither team to get the win they need
Vitória x Ceará
Last meeting: Week 3 - Ceará 1-0 Vitória
Recent League Form: Vitória DDLDL Ceará WLLLD
Vitória haven't won since their 1-0 success at Cruzeiro in week 15 and they are now dangerously close to the relegation zone. Ceará after being a roaring success before the break have struggled since but their win at weekend over Santos would have built up confidence. Ceará have been the surprise package so far this season with many tipping them to go down.
Prediction: Vitória
São Paulo x Internacional
Last meeting: Week 3 - Internacional 0-2 São Paulo
Recent League Form: São Paulo LWWWD Internacional DLWDW
A repeat of the Libertadores semi-final between the two clubs when Inter progressed on away goals. Defeat at the Engenhão on the weekend ended São Paulo's three game streak but Internacional have been patchy at best since lifting the continental title. With Sandro now at Tottenham, the Inter midfield are really missing him. Libertadores football is a must for São Paulo so they need to start picking points up and quick.
Prediction: São Paulo to repeat their Libertadores second leg success
Vasco da Gama x Avaí
Last meeting: Week 3 - Avaí 2-0 Vasco da Gama
Recent League Form: Vasco da Gama DDWDD Avaí LDLLD
Vasco, as we might keep mentioning, are still the only undefeated team since the World Cup Break and that's now a 14 game run. Avaí though are a team heading in the opposite direction, they were impressive before the break but they haven't collected a win their victory over Corinthians back in week 14 and have only picked up two points in that run.
Prediction: Home banker.
we hope you've enjoyed this different look ahead to the week in Brazil. All feedback welcome and apologies for the lack of weekend previews. There are only so many hours in the week.
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