Tie of the round is Corinthians against Cruzeiro, both on 60 points, just one behind league leaders Fluminense.
By Rick Crowe - As the Campeonato Brasileiro heads into its last month it looks like it’s going right down to the wire. Fourth placed Botafogo’s faltering 2-2 mid-week draw with Ceara means they have practically lost any chance of the title, so pick any one from the top three.
At the other end of the table it’s an equally tough and exciting battle though there is virtually no hope for Prudente to beat the drop, stranded as they are on the bottom with only 27 points. With four to be relegated there are a number of teams looking over their shoulders.
Some will be relying on the results of others to keep them in Serie A next year. It’s that close.
Two mediocre teams are still fighting for points to keep themselves away from the relegation zone. Flamengo are in 13th position on 40 points, four ahead of Atletico-MG who hover just one place, at 16th, above Guarani by virtue of having scored more goals.
It is a quick return to Atletico-MG for former coach Vanderlei Luxembourg, still blamed by fans for Atletcio-MG’s poor performances over the previous ten months. Sacked in September but appointed by Flamengo in October, Luxembourg will have Diogo and Diego Maurico spear- heading the attack with the experienced Serbian, Petrovic, likely to slot in just behind.
Atletico-MG coach Dorival Junior awaits a fitness test on midfielder Diego Souza, but already knows he is without Daniel Carvalho and Ze Luis.
The biggest game of Round 35 is the titanic battle between both teams hoping to close in on leaders Fluminense. Corinthians are in second place due to a superior goal difference. Whoever loses can virtually say goodbye to the title especially if Fluminense win at home to relegation candidates Goias on Sunday.
With the arrival of coach Tite, Corinthinans have appropriately tightened up their defense and have only conceded one goal in their last four games. But the game against Cruzeiro on Saturday will stretch them to the limit. Defenders Chicao and captain William know that Cruzeiro will be out to destroy their title chances.
Cruzeiro have Wellington Paulista, back from injury and desperate to get on the score sheet, and Thiago Ribeiro, both capable of unpicking any defense It’s set to become an absorbing battle. Cruzeiro coach Cuca has told his players that they can win the championship but it is in their hands. No motivation needed there.
Gremio in 6th place on 53 points take on Santos two points below in 7th. Gremio will be without influential midfielder Gabriel. After the victories over Geara and Goias with an unchanged team, coach Renato Gaucho is forced to play Edilson in his place. Fabio Rochemback and Andre Lima have recovered from slight knocks and will take their places in the team.
Santos, whose recent form has been sketchy to say the least welcome new coach Adilson Batista who is looking to the future after leaving Corinthians in October. This game means more to Gremio than Santos. Gremio are still chasing a spot in the Libertadores Cup whereas Santos has already qualified, thanks to a win in the Brazil Cup.
Fluminense continue their assault on the championship, one point ahead of the pack but confidently aware that they have been there or thereabouts all season. Fluminense may have some established names in Deco, Emerson and Fred but have maintained a steady performance throughout the season, even when injuries have occurred, due to a strong squad.
Expect Fluminsense to win on Sunday against a team that languishes 19th in the table on 31 points. It will almost certainly condemn them to relegation. However, Thursday night’s scrappy 1-0 win against Avai in the Copa Sudamericana that gives them a semi-final against
Palmeiras, might spur Goias on to greater efforts in the league. Flu should prove too strong though.
Midfielder Elias, with eleven goals in the Campeonato Brasilerio, is back from injury but coach Rene Simoes intends to keep him on the bench on Sunday, claiming he is not back to match fitness yet. However, his replacement Mdimaz has had a good spell and Simoes has hinted that he will play them together when Elias is fully fit.
Palmeiras coach Luis Felipe Scolari has had a few problems of late. Chilean midfielder Valdivia is once again not sure whether he will able to turn out on Sunday. He has hardly played in the last month or so and when he has, he generally lasts less than the first half.
Despite medical examinations that suggest he can play there are rumors that the problems are psychological.
Struggling Guarani, in the relegation zone in 17th place on 36 points, haven’t been helped by the suspensions of Bahia and Mario Lucio. Coach Vagner Mancini is already without his goalkeeper Douglas and striker Ricard Xavier due to injury. Diego Barboza and Geovane are in contention.
Vitoria coach Antonio Lopez has been conducting training behind closed doors this week. After all, it’s tight at the bottom and Vitoria stands in 14th place, only two points ahead of their rivals.
There’s plenty to fight for, not least Serie A survival. Defender Anderson Martins has struggled with a thigh injury but is expected to be fit.
Internacional are not taking relegation threatened Avai lightly as they are still in contention for a place in the Libertadores Cup, in eighth place in the league with 51 points. Coach Celso Roth tinkered this week in training with his tactical formations which saw D’ Alleandro pushing further forward than normal.
Kleber was prominent on the left alongside midfielders Giulano and Guinaza. Avai lost Thursday night’s Copa Sudamericana clash with fellow strugglers Goias so have to concentrate on fighting for Serie A survival. In 18th place on 34 points, it’s incentive enough for coach Vagner Benazzi to rally his troops.
Fifth in the league on 53 points Atletico-PR are poised for their best finish since they were championship runners-up in 2004. A winning mentality has been instilled in the squad by coach Sergio Soares and, after two seasons of trying to avoid relegation, the team has a more vigorous and enthusiastic approach.
Prudente, on the other hand, are all but relegated. However, coach Fabio Giuntini has asked the players to fight through the last four games of the season until it is mathematically impossible to survive the drop to Serie B. That fate could be delivered by this Sunday.
PC Gusmao, Vasco’s coach, is excited that his four major players are back together for the first time since round 15 of Serie A – Felipe, Ze Roberto, Eder Luis and especially Carlos Alberto who has struggled so much with injury. This looks promising for the rest of the season which has been pretty average so far.
Vasco are in 11th position on 45 points just above Ceara on goal difference. It’s about all their fans can hope, that these four remain fit and help Vasco to win their last four games.
Sao Paulo, like Vasco, heading for the Sul Americana, is two places ahead on 50 points and in 9th place. Since coming back from injury striker Fernandao has been used more often in midfield by coach Paulo Cesar Carpegiani. There’s every chance too for a first start for the exciting 18-years old Ze Vitor who could replace Rodrigo Souto, struggling with a back injury.
At the other end of the table it’s an equally tough and exciting battle though there is virtually no hope for Prudente to beat the drop, stranded as they are on the bottom with only 27 points. With four to be relegated there are a number of teams looking over their shoulders.
Some will be relying on the results of others to keep them in Serie A next year. It’s that close.
Two mediocre teams are still fighting for points to keep themselves away from the relegation zone. Flamengo are in 13th position on 40 points, four ahead of Atletico-MG who hover just one place, at 16th, above Guarani by virtue of having scored more goals.
It is a quick return to Atletico-MG for former coach Vanderlei Luxembourg, still blamed by fans for Atletcio-MG’s poor performances over the previous ten months. Sacked in September but appointed by Flamengo in October, Luxembourg will have Diogo and Diego Maurico spear- heading the attack with the experienced Serbian, Petrovic, likely to slot in just behind.
Atletico-MG coach Dorival Junior awaits a fitness test on midfielder Diego Souza, but already knows he is without Daniel Carvalho and Ze Luis.
The biggest game of Round 35 is the titanic battle between both teams hoping to close in on leaders Fluminense. Corinthians are in second place due to a superior goal difference. Whoever loses can virtually say goodbye to the title especially if Fluminense win at home to relegation candidates Goias on Sunday.
With the arrival of coach Tite, Corinthinans have appropriately tightened up their defense and have only conceded one goal in their last four games. But the game against Cruzeiro on Saturday will stretch them to the limit. Defenders Chicao and captain William know that Cruzeiro will be out to destroy their title chances.
Cruzeiro have Wellington Paulista, back from injury and desperate to get on the score sheet, and Thiago Ribeiro, both capable of unpicking any defense It’s set to become an absorbing battle. Cruzeiro coach Cuca has told his players that they can win the championship but it is in their hands. No motivation needed there.
Gremio in 6th place on 53 points take on Santos two points below in 7th. Gremio will be without influential midfielder Gabriel. After the victories over Geara and Goias with an unchanged team, coach Renato Gaucho is forced to play Edilson in his place. Fabio Rochemback and Andre Lima have recovered from slight knocks and will take their places in the team.
Santos, whose recent form has been sketchy to say the least welcome new coach Adilson Batista who is looking to the future after leaving Corinthians in October. This game means more to Gremio than Santos. Gremio are still chasing a spot in the Libertadores Cup whereas Santos has already qualified, thanks to a win in the Brazil Cup.
Fluminense continue their assault on the championship, one point ahead of the pack but confidently aware that they have been there or thereabouts all season. Fluminense may have some established names in Deco, Emerson and Fred but have maintained a steady performance throughout the season, even when injuries have occurred, due to a strong squad.
Expect Fluminsense to win on Sunday against a team that languishes 19th in the table on 31 points. It will almost certainly condemn them to relegation. However, Thursday night’s scrappy 1-0 win against Avai in the Copa Sudamericana that gives them a semi-final against
Palmeiras, might spur Goias on to greater efforts in the league. Flu should prove too strong though.
Midfielder Elias, with eleven goals in the Campeonato Brasilerio, is back from injury but coach Rene Simoes intends to keep him on the bench on Sunday, claiming he is not back to match fitness yet. However, his replacement Mdimaz has had a good spell and Simoes has hinted that he will play them together when Elias is fully fit.
Palmeiras coach Luis Felipe Scolari has had a few problems of late. Chilean midfielder Valdivia is once again not sure whether he will able to turn out on Sunday. He has hardly played in the last month or so and when he has, he generally lasts less than the first half.
Despite medical examinations that suggest he can play there are rumors that the problems are psychological.
Struggling Guarani, in the relegation zone in 17th place on 36 points, haven’t been helped by the suspensions of Bahia and Mario Lucio. Coach Vagner Mancini is already without his goalkeeper Douglas and striker Ricard Xavier due to injury. Diego Barboza and Geovane are in contention.
Vitoria coach Antonio Lopez has been conducting training behind closed doors this week. After all, it’s tight at the bottom and Vitoria stands in 14th place, only two points ahead of their rivals.
There’s plenty to fight for, not least Serie A survival. Defender Anderson Martins has struggled with a thigh injury but is expected to be fit.
Internacional are not taking relegation threatened Avai lightly as they are still in contention for a place in the Libertadores Cup, in eighth place in the league with 51 points. Coach Celso Roth tinkered this week in training with his tactical formations which saw D’ Alleandro pushing further forward than normal.
Kleber was prominent on the left alongside midfielders Giulano and Guinaza. Avai lost Thursday night’s Copa Sudamericana clash with fellow strugglers Goias so have to concentrate on fighting for Serie A survival. In 18th place on 34 points, it’s incentive enough for coach Vagner Benazzi to rally his troops.
Fifth in the league on 53 points Atletico-PR are poised for their best finish since they were championship runners-up in 2004. A winning mentality has been instilled in the squad by coach Sergio Soares and, after two seasons of trying to avoid relegation, the team has a more vigorous and enthusiastic approach.
Prudente, on the other hand, are all but relegated. However, coach Fabio Giuntini has asked the players to fight through the last four games of the season until it is mathematically impossible to survive the drop to Serie B. That fate could be delivered by this Sunday.
PC Gusmao, Vasco’s coach, is excited that his four major players are back together for the first time since round 15 of Serie A – Felipe, Ze Roberto, Eder Luis and especially Carlos Alberto who has struggled so much with injury. This looks promising for the rest of the season which has been pretty average so far.
Vasco are in 11th position on 45 points just above Ceara on goal difference. It’s about all their fans can hope, that these four remain fit and help Vasco to win their last four games.
Sao Paulo, like Vasco, heading for the Sul Americana, is two places ahead on 50 points and in 9th place. Since coming back from injury striker Fernandao has been used more often in midfield by coach Paulo Cesar Carpegiani. There’s every chance too for a first start for the exciting 18-years old Ze Vitor who could replace Rodrigo Souto, struggling with a back injury.
