Palmeiras will be looking to pick up a fourth consecutive victory and extend their lead at the top of the Serie A standings when they welcome Internacional to the Allianz Parque on Sunday.

The Clube do Povo, on the other hand, have failed to taste victory in each of their most recent three away games in all competitions and will be seeking to end this dry spell.

Match preview

Palmeiras maintained their fine run of results as they claimed a hard-fought 1-0 victory over Atletico Mineiro when the sides squared off on Friday morning.

In a one-sided affair at the Estadio Raimundo Sampaio, 28-year-old midfielder Gustavo Scarpa came up trumps for the visitors as he scored the only goal of the game five minutes after the hour mark.

Palmeiras have now won each of their last three games across all competitions, including a 2-1 victory over Sao Paulo in the second leg of their Copa do Brasil round-of-16 clash on July 15.

Abel Ferreira's men have now picked up 10 wins, six draws and lost two of their 18 league games this season to collect 36 points and sit top of the Serie A table with a four-point cushion over second-placed Corinthians.

This fine run has been owing to a solid defensive display at the defensive end of the pitch, where the Periquito Verde boast the division's best record with 12 goals conceded, alongside their sensational form away from home, where they are yet to suffer defeat this season.

Elsewhere, Internacional failed to protect their lead on three different occasions as they were held to a thrilling 3-3 draw by a resilient Sao Paulo side at the Estadio Jose Pinheiro Borda on Thursday.

Pedro Henrique and Nikao but struck twice for either side within the opening 30 minutes, and after Edenilson converted his 41st-minute penalty to put the hosts ahead, Luciano struck in the 54th minute to force a share of the spoils.

Internacional have now failed to taste victory in any of their last three away games across all competitions, picking up two draws and losing once since June's 2-1 win over Goias.

With 30 points from 18 games, Mano Menezes's side are currently sixth in the league standings, but could potentially rise as high as second place with all three points this weekend.

While the Clube do Povo will be looking to return to winning ways, they head into the weekend winless in each of their last nine away games against Ferreira's men, stretching back to a 1-0 victory back in 2014.

Team News

Palmeiras will be without several key players down the spine of the team as defender Jorge, midfielder Rafael Navarro and forward Rony all continue their spells on the sidelines.

Uruguayan defender Joaquin Piquerez, who was missing from the trip to Atletico Mineiro last time out, is also out of contention for the hosts through a muscle problem.

With his winner off the bench in the aforementioned game, Scarpa now boasts nine goal involvements in 17 games this season and the former Fluminense man should come into the starting XI this weekend.

As for Internacional, Menezes will be unable to call upon the attacking duo of Alan Patrick and Taison, who have been ruled out due to thigh injuries.

Argentine defender Fabricio Bustos is set to sit out his fourth consecutive game through a muscle problem, while 29-year-old Rene has been sidelined since June's game against Colo Colo.

Palmeiras possible starting lineup:
Weverton; Rocha, Gomez, Luan, Vanderlan; Rafael, Danilo; Wesley, Veiga, Dudu; Merentiel

Internacional possible starting lineup:
Daniel; Heitor, Moledo, Mercado, Moises; Gabriel, Edenilson, De Pena; Henrique, Alemao, Mauricio

We say: Palmeiras 2-1 Internacional

While Internacional will be looking to snap their winless run on the road, they have failed to taste victory in their last nine visits to the Allianz Parque. Palmeiras head into the weekend in superb form and we are backing them to extend their fine record against the visitors and come away with all three points.

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