Two mid-table Brasileiro Serie A sides will clash on Saturday when Vasco da Gama host Bragantino at Estadio Club de Regatas Vasco da Gama.
The hosts currently occupy 11th place with 23 points, while their visitors are two points and one position higher despite having played one game fewer.
Match preview
Vasco da Gama were unable to end their winless run, drawing 1-1 with Atletico Goianiense in the first leg of their Copa do Brasil round-of-16 tie on Thursday.
Rafael Paiva's side are now without a victory in their last three matches across all competitions, following defeats by Atletico Mineiro (2-0) and Gremio (1-0) in their most recent league fixtures.
However, all three of these matches were away from home, and Cruzmaltino will be hoping to reverse their fortunes when they face Bragantino on Saturday, as they are unbeaten in their last five home games, recording two draws and three wins, including the most recent two.
With only two points separating Vasco from the Copa Sudamericana qualification places and five points from the relegation zone, they are in a precarious position.
Given their recent form, Paiva will be eager for his side to maintain their unbeaten home record against Saturday's opponents and secure a much-needed victory.
Meanwhile, Bragantino's hopes of a first Copa do Brasil title are fading after a 2-0 defeat to Athletico Paranaense in the first leg of their round-of-16 tie on Thursday.
This was Pedro Caixinha's men second consecutive loss, following a 1-0 defeat at home to Fluminense in the Serie A last Sunday.
Although Massa Bruta progressed to the Copa Sudamericana round of 16 with a 4-3 aggregate victory over Ecuadorian side Barcelona SC this month, their recent league form has been disappointing.
They have lost all but one of their last four Serie A matches, with a 1-0 win over Paranaense on July 21 being the exception, leaving them increasingly in danger of dropping out of the continental places.
Things are not looking great for Bragantino, as they have struggled on the road, failing to win any of their last eight away matches, while also never picking up a win at the ground they are visiting on Saturday.
Team News
Vasco da Gama will be without the services of Jair and Paulinho Paula, who have all been ruled out with cruciate ligament injury.
The hosts will also be without Guilherme Estrella and Joao Victor, with both players nursing knee issues and not expected back for this fixture.
Mateus Carvalho and Paulo Henrique will both miss the clash through suspension after passing the yellow card threshold.
Bragantino will have to cope without three defenders - Juninho Capixaba, Pedro Henrique and Eduardo Santos - who are nursing different injuries.
Forward Eduardo Sasha has missed each of the last four matches through a hamstring problem and is expected to remain sidelined for this clash, alongside midfielder Nathan Camargo, who is recuperating from a knee injury.
Vasco da Gama possible starting lineup:
Jardim; Rodriguez, Maicon, Leo, Piton; Moura, Sforza, Coutinho; Rodriguez, Vegetti, David
Bragantino possible starting lineup:
Lucao; N Mendes, S Mendes, Cunha, Candido; Raul, Evangelista, Lincoln; Helinho, Borbas, Vitinho
We say: Vasco da Gama 1-0 Bragantino
Vasco da Gama may have struggled in recent matches, all of which were away from home, but the hosts will undoubtedly gain significant confidence from playing on their own turf.
They are unbeaten against Bragantino at this ground and have an impressive five-match unbeaten home record going into this encounter.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
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