Second-place Palmeiras return to Brasileiro action against Cruzeiro at Allianz Parque on Saturday after losing a top-of-the-table tussle at Botafogo on Wednesday.
Verdao slipped three points behind Fogo after the 1-0 loss, and they aim to avoid that gap extending when they face their sixth-placed opponents in this weekend's gameweek 18 action.
Match preview
Abel Ferreira's men had notched back-to-back wins at Botafogo but could not make three straight victories in Fogo on Wednesday, falling to Artur Jorge's men 1-0 in round 17.
That result's upshot means Alviverde rank three points shy of the title challengers, who seek to usurp Palmeiras after consecutive title-winning campaigns.
It was the first time Verdao had failed to find the net in the league since losing 3-0 at Fortaleza at the backend of June, ending the club's four-game scoring run in the competition.
Returning to their stomping ground should guarantee goals, as Ferreira's men are on a six-match sequence of scoring their opponents in Sao Paulo, with Athletico Paranaense the last side to stop the second-placed side from scoring in the league in a 2-0 defeat for the club seeking three straight top-flight successes.
A 1-0 defeat to Internacional and a goalless encounter with Flamengo followed in April, but Alviverde have responded to those three winless home games by going on an extended sequence of wins on their turf.
Cruzeiro seek to avoid becoming the seventh side to fall short at Palmeiras this term, even if their dismal road results inspire little confidence.
While Raposa's last away match ended 2-0 in the in-form side's favour, as they dispatched 10-man Gremio, the triumph was only the sixth-placed side's second on their travels.
Hitherto, Fernando Seabra's men had been beaten in three consecutive road games — losing 4-1 at Bahia, 2-1 at Flamengo and 1-0 at Criciuma — suggesting that the last away win was possibly an outlier and not the norm.
Adding another win on their travels leaves Seabra's men just outdoing six sides in the away standings, and their inability to string results on their travels potentially undermines ending in the top four positions.
They currently sit sixth — which guarantees qualification for the second of three stages — but a top-four berth means they advance into the Copa Libertadores proper.
For a side that ended last season 14th, this year represents undoubted improvement since Seabra replaced Nicolas Larcamon in early April, and Raposa hope to continue the ongoing trajectory in their ambition to return to the Libertadores for the first time since the 2018-19 season.
Team News
Estevao seemed to sustain an injury against Botafogo, and the Chelsea-bound attacker could miss this weekend's match.
Ferreira's preparations for this weekend's match are clouded by the potential absence of the team's star player, who could join the injured Lazaro (thigh) and Bruno Rodrigues (knee) on the sidelines, leaving the team without their leading goalscorer and top assist provider.
Cruzeiro's Alvaro Barreal was forced off after 68 minutes due to a seeming injury last time out against Bragantino, possibly making the midfield man doubtful for Saturday.
Celeste are not expected to have Walace, Marlon (shoulder), Rafael Silva (thigh) and Juan Dinenno (groin) available due to injury concerns.
Matheus Pereira was back among the goals in the win over Bragantino, and the former West Bromwich player aims to add to his six top-flight goals this weekend.
Palmeiras possible starting lineup:
Weverton; Rocha, Gomez, Murilo, Piquerez; Moreno, Menino; Mauricio, Veiga, Rony; Lopez
Cruzeiro possible starting lineup:
Cassio; William, Ivaldo, Marcelo, Kaiki; Silva, Romero, Henrique; Veron, Pereira, Gomes
We say: Palmeiras 2-0 Cruzeiro
Palmeiras may have failed to win any of their opening three home fixtures this term, but they are on a roll in front of their supporters, notching six consecutive victories and keeping clean sheets in 50% of that run.
That sequence should become seven against one of the division's underwhelming travellers.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
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