Seeking to snap their run of four consecutive Brasileiro Serie A games without a win, Avai play host to Santos at the Estadio Aderbal Ramos da Silva on Saturday.
The Alvinegro head into the weekend unbeaten in each of the last eight meetings between the sides since 2010 and will look to keep this fine record alive and kicking.
Match preview
Avai were left empty handed once again in the Serie A as they fell to a humbling 4-0 defeat at the hands of Red Bull Bragantino last Saturday.
In a one-sided affair at the Nabi Abi Chedid Stadium, Luan Candido, Alerrandro, Helinho and Bruno Praxedes were all on target as the Massa Bruta cruised to their fifth win of the season.
Avai have now failed to taste victory in each of their last four outings, managing just one draw and losing three games since a dramatic 3-2 victory over Fortaleza on June 16.
With 18 points from 16 games, Eduardo Barroca's men are currently 16th in the Serie A standings, level on points with America Mineiro and 17th-placed Ceara just inside the relegation zone.
Their underwhelming campaign so far can be pinned to their struggles at the defensive end of the pitch, where Leao da Ilha currently hold the division's second-worst record with 27 goals conceded — only Juventude (28) have conceded more this season.
While they will be looking to arrest their slump in form, standing in their way is an opposing side they have failed to defeat in each of their last eight attempts, losing five and claiming three draws since a 3-2 win in November 2010.
On the other hand, Santos got dumped out of the Copa do Brasil last time, despite claiming a second-leg 1-0 victory over Corinthians at the Estadio Urbano Caldeira.
Marcos Leonardo netted the only goal of the game from the penalty spot in the 67th minute, but a 4-0 first leg victory saw Vitor Pereira's men comfortably sail through to the next round on aggregate.
Prior to that, Santos saw their six-game winless run come to an end when they saw off Atletico Goianiense 1-0 in the Serie A on July 10 courtesy of a 76th-minute strike from Lucas Barbosa.
Marcelo Fernandes's side have picked up five wins, seven draws and lost four of their 16 games so far to collect 22 points and sit eighth in the league table, five points off Athletico Paranaense in the Copa Libertadores qualification spot.
Santos have collected just seven points from a possible 21 away from home this season as they head into the weekend on a run of one win, four draws and two defeats.
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Team News
Avai will be without several key players down the spine of the team as the likes of Matheus Galdezani (knee), Renato Silva (thigh) and Paulo Baya (back) have all been sidelined through injuries.
The midfield duo of Muriqui and Romulo will also play no part in this weekend's encounter through muscle and thigh problems respectively.
Brazilian forward Morato is set to sit out his second consecutive game after picking up a muscle injury midway through the game against Cuiaba on July 3.
While the visitors boast a lighter injury list, Fernandes will be unable to call upon the midfield duo of Sandra and Kevin Malthus, who have been ruled out through muscle and ACL issues.
Twenty-one-year-old defender Lucas Pires is also out of contention for the Alvinegro, having missed the last two games through a knee injury.
With his winner against Corinthians last time out, Leonardo now has six league goals to his name this season and we expect the 19-year-old to spearhead the attack once again.
Avai possible starting lineup:
Vladimir; Kevin, Chaves, Vaz, Cortez; Silva, Raniele, Biasi; Pyerre, Bissoli, Pottker
Santos possible starting lineup:
Paulo; Madson, Maicon, Bauermann, Jonatan; Zanocelo, Sanchez, Fernandez; Baptistao, Leonardo, Braga
We say: Avai 0-2 Santos
While Avai will be seeking to steer clear of the drop zone, next up is the stern test of facing a resurgent Santos side who are unbeaten in each of their last eight meetings. Santos appears to have hit their stride once again and we are backing them to extend their dominance over the hosts.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
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