Out-of-form Corinthians welcome a Sao Paulo side 10 places above them in the Brasileiro table heading into Sunday's clash at the Neo Quimica Arena.
The hosts are winless in four league games heading into gameweek nine's encounter, and they hope to end the two-month undefeated streak of their opponents.
Match preview
Corinthians' wretched start to their league campaign is underscored by claiming one win in eight matches heading into this weekend's game with their high-flying opponents.
Doubly worrisome for Time do Povo has been the shortage of goals in recent gameweeks, underlined by firing blanks in three of the ongoing winless streak.
Antonio Oliveira's men failed to score in a goalless encounter with Fortaleza and defeats by Flamengo (2-0) and Botafogo (1-0) before ending that scoreless run in the 2-2 draw with Atletico Goianiense last time out.
Despite the underwhelming league start, Todo Poderoso have thrived in their domestic cup matches and advanced to the first knockout round after winning their Copa Sudamericana group, suggesting they have prioritised continental matches this term.
With those perceived distractions out of the way for the time being, Oliveira will hope to get his players back on the right track this weekend.
It remains to be seen if Sao Paulo will let that happen given their ambition to compete for the league title and an ongoing undefeated run since April.
Luis Zubeldia was appointed on April 20, two days after a 2-1 loss at Flamengo, the last time Tricolor Paulista suffered defeat to any opponent.
Nine of the 12 matches under Zubeldia have ended in victories for Sao Paulo, with Palmeiras and Internacional holding them to goalless encounters in the league and Ecuadorian outfit Barcelona SC doing likewise in the Copa Libertadores.
Despite the recent draw with Internacional, the in-form side should head into Sunday's match with confidence of avoiding defeat, owing to an ongoing five-match run in all competitions without conceding — victories over Aguila de Maraba, Talleres and Cruzeiro (all 2-0 wins) bookended by goalless encounters with Barcelona SC and Internacional.
Success for Soberano could see them end the gameweek atop the Brasileiro on goal difference, but they need to beat Corinthians and hope joint-top Flamengo and Bahia (both on 17 points) lose and Botafogo and Athletico Paranaense (both 16 points) drop points.
Team News
Corinthians' Felix Torres (Ecuador) and Angel Romero (Paraguay) are away with their national teams for the 2024 Copa America.
Fagner and Pedro Henrique (both thigh) are nearing returns, but Maycon is absent for the foreseeable future because of a severe knee injury.
Gustavo Henrique (two yellows) will serve a one-match ban after his sending-off against Atletico Goianiense. However, Yuri Alberto — scorer of two goals in Corinthians' 2-2 draw last time out — should lead the attack after ending the club's drought without a league goal.
Damian Bobadilla (Paraguay), Rafael (Brazil), Nahuel Ferraresi (Venezuela) and James Rodriguez (Colombia) are unavailable for Sao Paulo due to international duty at the imminent Copa America.
Pablo Maia is absent because of a thigh issue while Rafinha is still absent with a broken leg.
Corinthians possible starting lineup:
Miguel; Matheuzinho, Caca, Caetano, Hugo; Garro, Raniele, Bidon; Coronado, Alberto, Wesley
Sao Paulo possible starting lineup:
Jandrei; Vinicius, Costa, Franco, Wellington; Gustavo, Alisson; Moura, Luciano, Nestor; Calleri
We say: Corinthians 0-1 Sao Paulo
While Sao Paulo are arguably missing more influential attacking players than Corinthians, the away side's results since Zubeldia's appointment and recent wins over their hosts (three consecutive victories in this fixture) mean the visitors are backed to record their fourth straight triumph over the struggling side.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
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