Fresh off a second consecutive win in the Brasileiro, Corinthians seek to continue their ongoing resurgence when they host strugglers Gremio at Neo Quimica Arena on Thursday night.
The hosts aim to notch a third straight win in the gameweek 19 encounter against a side that recently ended a wretched streak without winning over the weekend.
Match preview
After a pitiful start to the ongoing season, Corinthians finally seem to be finding some form heading into the campaign's second half, with Timao notching three of their four top-flight wins in the past five games.
Ramon Diaz's appointment has awoken the seven-time league champions, underscored by back-to-back triumphs since his appointment that have catapulted them out of the bottom four positions.
Having followed up the 2-1 win over Criciuma by stunning Bahia away to win 1-0 at the weekend, Corinthians should be looking up towards the continental qualification places and not fearing for their lives.
While Timao are not out of the woods — they sit three points clear of the dreaded positions — the 14th-placed club are three points shy of Juventude in 12th, a position that guarantees Copa Sudamericana qualification.
The campaign is nearly halfway, but the hosts can look forward with optimism under Diaz after a dreadful start.
Gremio seek to dampen any growing optimism in Sao Paulo, as they aim to build on the weekend's 2-0 triumph over fellow strugglers Vitoria.
That success ended Renato Gaucho's team's three-match losing run and four-game streak without maximum points to notch only their fourth victory of a wretched campaign.
Last season's runners-up have had a torrid opening to this term, and they have had to alter targets to retain their top-flight status when they started the campaign seeking another title challenge.
Beating fellow strugglers Vitoria was one thing but following that with defeating a seemingly resurgent Corinthians will offer hope to supporters in Porto Alegre that a club that has stayed winless on the road this term (one point) is about to turn the corner.
Having failed to win back-to-back league matches since the start of the campaign, Gaucho's men face an uphill task against a side that has stayed undefeated in four home games (two wins).
Team News
Hugo was forced off with a seeming injury with 20 minutes remaining against Bahia, and the Corinthians wing-back could be replaced by Matheus Badu on Thursday night.
If the wide defender's issue keeps him out, the wing-back will join Diego Palacios (knee) on the sidelines.
Angel Romero has found the back of the net consecutive wins under Diaz, and the striker seeks to continue his goalscoring form against Gremio.
Gaucho has several injury worries with Franco Cristaldo and Gustavo Martins said to be doubtful for Thursday's visit to Corinthians.
If the pair are ruled out, they will join former Chelsea striker Diego Costa (muscle), Andre Henrique (ankle), Lucas Mila (knee) and Jhonata Robert (knee) all of whom are not expected back until August.
Gremio are also sweating over the fitness of Walter Kannemann after the centre-back went off just 32 minutes into the 2-0 win over Vitoria.
Corinthians possible starting lineup:
Souza; Torres, Ramalho, Caca; Matheuzinho, Santana, Gustavo, Bidu; Garro; Romero, Alberto
Gremio possible starting lineup:
Marchesin; Pedro, Ely, Geromel, Reinaldo; Pavon, Villasanti, Carballo, Soteldo; Edenilson, Nathan
We say: Corinthians 2-1 Gremio
Despite defeating Vitoria last time out, Gremio must show more to prove a return to their finest form.
Without an away win all season in seven attempts (one point from an available 21), that undesired streak should become eight against a side keen to go five matches on home turf without losing.
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