Just one point separates Sao Paulo and Athletico Paranaense ahead of Wednesday’s Brasileiro fixture at Estadio Cicero Pompeu de Toledo.
Sao Paulo have lost their previous two games in the top flight, while the visitors have picked up four points from their last two league games.
Match preview
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The month of June started positively for Sao Paulo, who progressed to the quarter-finals of the Copa do Brasil after beating Sport Recife on penalties.
However, they were quickly stopped in their tracks by a 2-1 defeat to Gremio, bringing an end to an impressive eight-game unbeaten league run.
Sao Paulo responded with a commanding 5-0 victory over Tolima in the Copa Sudamericana, but they were unable to produce that sort of dominant performance in Sunday’s league fixture with Palmerieas, falling to a 2-0 home defeat.
The result ruined Sao Paulo’s 100 per cent home record and leaves them in eighth place with 10 points to their name from 15 matches.
Dorival Junior’s side will be confident of bouncing back against Atletico Paranaense, having avoided defeat in their last three home meetings with Wednesday’s opponents.
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Athletico Paranaense began the month with a penalty shootout defeat to Botafago in the last-16 of the Copa do Brasil, but immediately avenged their cup exit with a 1-0 win over Botafago in the league.
After edging out Libertad via a 1-0 scoreline in the Copa Libertadores, the Furacao looked set to claim three consecutive victories in all competitions when they took a two-goal lead in their most recent fixture against America MG.
However, strikes from Vitor Roque and Christian were cancelled by Wellington Paulista and Danilo Avelar to deny Athletico Paranaense their second away win of the Brasileiro season.
Despite having to settle for a 2-2 draw, Athletico Paranaense will head into Wednesday’s contest in seventh place and one point better off than Sao Paulo.
Although they are searching for their first away win over Sao Paulo since November 2019, the visitors may be able to draw inspiration from the 1-0 win they picked up in their most home recent meeting against Wednesday’s opponents in July 2022.
Sao Paulo Brasileiro form:
Sao Paulo form (all competitions):
Athletico Paranaense Brasileiro form:
Athletico Paranaense form (all competitions):
Team News
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Sao Paulo will have to cope with a lengthy injury list, which includes Igor Vinicius, Andre Anderson, Talles Costa, Joao Moreira, Welington and Guiliano Galoppo.
Pablo Maia was sent off against Palmeiras and will miss out through suspension, but Erison and Jandrei are set to feature on the bench following a spell on the sidelines.
Pato, who returned to Sao Paulo earlier this year, is also expected to be among the substitutes after recovering from knee injury, and he will be hoping to make his second debut for the club.
As for the visitors, they are expected to be without the services of former Manchester City midfielder Fernandinho and ex-Sao Paulo forward Pablo due to injury problems.
After missing the 2-2 draw with America MG through suspension, Pedro Henrique is expected to return to the Athletico-PR lineup.
Vitor Roque is reportedly closing in on a move to La Liga champions Barcelona, but he will be focused on matters on the pitch when he leads the line on Wednesday.
Sao Paulo possible starting lineup:
Rafael; Rafinha, Arboleda, Beraldo, Paulista; Nestor, Neves; Alisson, Luciano, Araujo; Calleri
Athletico Paranaense possible starting lineup:
Bento; Madson, Henrique, Heleno, Fernando; Moura, Erick; Canobbio, Santana, Christian; Roque
We say: Sao Paulo X-Y Athletico Paranaense
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