Out-of-form Vasco da Gama host high-flying Botafogo in Saturday's gameweek 13 Brasileiro meeting at Estadio Sao Januario.
Vasco could slip into the bottom four this weekend if results go against them, while their opponents' bid to claim a first top-flight title since 1995 could take them atop the standings after this weekend.
Match preview
When Vasco da Gama defeated Sao Paulo 4-1 in gameweek 11, supporters hoped that success would be the fillip the struggling side needed to revive their wretched start to the new term.
However, that hope was not realised at title-chasing Bahia, with David's sending-off on the hour in midweek leaving his team in a lurch with 30 minutes of the 90 to play.
Despite the late concession to Oscar Estupinan's 85th-minute winning goal, Alvaro Pacheco's men will pick out positives from their battling display against a title contender, and they hope to take that level of performance into Saturday's clash with another league-chasing side.
One point and two places separated Vasco (10 points) from sliding into the relegation places after their last match, but Vitoria — previously 17th with nine points — defeating cellar-dwelling Fluminense on Thursday night makes the Rio de Janeiro club's situation more precarious.
Vitoria rose to 15th after their recent win, seeing Pacheco's men slide to 16th — level with Atletico Goianiense on 10 points — but they avoid the bottom four by virtue of winning one more game than Atletico.
Botafogo hope to pile on their hosts' pressure this weekend, with the away side nurturing ambitions of ending a long drought with a league crown.
Having ended fifth last term, Artur Jorge is making Fogo supporters dream at the start of a new one, even if the campaign is not at its halfway point.
The third-placed side closed the gap at the top on league-leading Flamengo, who were defeated by middling Juventude in midweek, leaving the chasers one point adrift after their hard-fought comeback triumph over Bragantino.
Jorge's side aim to avoid another defeat on the road after the recent loss at Criciuma, although their resolve will be tested by a desperate home side keen to relieve relegation pressure.
As many as three clubs — Bahia (24 points), Botafogo and Palmeiras (both on 23) — could end gameweek 13 atop the Brasileiro, adding to the intrigue before the imminent round of games this weekend.
Team News
David is suspended for Vasco after his dismissal against Bahia which rules him out for one league game.
Dimitri Payet and Bruno Praxedes are nursing thigh injuries while Paulinho Paula (knee) could miss out this weekend.
Only Flamengo's Pedro (four) has notched more game-winning goals than Botafogo's Junior Santos (two); however, it remains to be seen if the winger features on Saturday after missing the recent win due to a thigh issue.
Eduardo made a telling impact for Fogo in the wide attacker's absence, with the playmaker scoring twice in the turnaround against Bragantino.
While Jefferson Savarino is away with the Venezuelan side at the Copa America and Jeffinho (knee), Pablo (thigh) and Rafael da Silva (knee) are expected to miss out, the away side should welcome back Alexander Barboza, Gregore and Oscar Romero from suspension.
Vasco da Gama possible starting lineup:
Jardim; Henrique, Maicon, Victor, Piton; Moura, Carvalho; Rossi, Estrella, Adson; Vegetti
Botafogo possible starting lineup:
Victor; Ponte, Bastos, Barboza, Marcal; Tche, Gregore; Romero, Eduardo, Henrique; Soares
We say: Vasco da Gama 1-2 Botafogo
Botafogo had gone four road games without defeat (three wins) before falling short at Criciuma on June 22, and Jorge's troops should back themselves to return to winning ways on their travels against a struggling opponent that have conceded 13 home goals this term — more than any top-flight club.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
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