Botafogo vs. Fluminense (Sunday, 8.00pm)
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Rio rivals Botafogo and Fluminense convene at Estadio Olimpico Nilton Santos on Sunday, in the 14th round of the Campeonato Brasileiro.
The pair are separated only by goal difference in the Serie A standings, and both feature in the top seven ahead of the latest Classico Vovo - a fixture first played in 1905, making it the oldest 'classic' in Brazilian football.
We say: Botafogo 2-2 Fluminense
A potentially fiery affair could be in store for this edition of the Classico Vovo, and as both sides have had little trouble finding the net lately, there may be several goals to enjoy too - a score draw being perhaps the likeliest result.
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Avai vs. Palmeiras (Sunday, 8.00pm)
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League leaders Palmeiras continue their quest for an 11th Brasileiro title, and first since 2018, as they visit mid-table Avai on Saturday, at Estadio da Ressacada.
Despite seeing a long unbeaten streak ended in the Copa do Brasil this week, the Sao Paulo giants sit top of the pile in the Serie A standings - already 11 points clear of their 11th-placed opponents.
We say: Avai 1-2 Palmeiras
Spurred on by the bitter taste of defeat to their close rivals, Palmeiras are surely set to recover immediately, as they fulfil their third fixture in under a week - significantly, Avai's defensive record is among the worst in Serie A so far.
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Sao Paulo vs. Juventude (Sunday, 10.00pm)
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Seeking to snap their four-game losing streak and surge from the bottom of the Serie A standings, Juventude visit the Cicero Pompeu de Toledo Stadium to face Sao Paulo on Sunday.
The Tricolor Paulista, on the other hand, head into the game unbeaten in each of their last five games against the visitors and will look to keep the juggernaut rolling.
We say: Sao Paulo 2-0 Juventude
Buoyed by their cup victory, Sao Paulo will head into the weekend with renewed confidence as they look to find their feet in the Serie A. They take on an out-of-sorts Juventude side, who have lost each of their last four outings, and we predict they will come away with all three points.
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Ceara vs. Atletico GO (Sunday, 10.00pm)
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Locked together on points in the Brasileiro standings, mid-table Ceara and Atletico Goianiense clash in Fortaleza on Sunday.
The teams meet at Castelao, having endured mixed fortunes in the Copa do Brasil earlier this week, as the hosts were beaten by their local rivals and Atletico drew at home.
We say: Ceara 1-2 Atletico Goianiense
An insubstantial attacking threat could undermine Ceara's hopes of picking up a precious home win, and their opponents are in the form to capitalise.
Though undefeated in nine Brasileiro matches, the hosts' run must come to an end if they cannot start finding the net more regularly, and an improving Atletico are set to be the beneficiaries.
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Goias vs. Cuiaba (Sunday, 10.00pm)
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Both inside the Brasileiro relegation zone after 13 rounds, Serie A strugglers Goias and Cuiaba meet at Estadio da Serrinha on Sunday.
With only three league wins apiece so far this term, the points will be fiercely contested - particularly as the hosts' last victory came six games ago.
We say: Goias 1-0 Cuiaba
Goals are likely to be thin on the ground at Estadio da Serrinha, as both teams are short of confidence and the stakes are already high at this stage of the season - with either side hoping to escape the bottom four. Home advantage should swing a tight contest the way of Goias.
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Ben Knapton
