Palmeiras and Bragantino square off in the Brazilian top flight on Thursday evening with just two points separating the teams in the table.
While the home side are fifth and within touching distance of the leaders, the visitors are back down in seventh position after an inconsistent run of form.
Match preview
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On the back of winning two league titles in a row, Palmeiras would have expected to have things more their own way during the early part of the campaign.
However, it has taken three successive victories for Abel Ferreira's side just to remain in close proximity to the leaders in what is a congested table.
Success has come against Criciuma, Vasco da Gama and Atletico Mineiro, Palmeiras scoring eight goals and conceding just the once.
In all competitions, just one goal has been shipped in five fixtures, while the Big Green have suffered just two defeats in their most recent 18 outings.
With rumours of further high-profile transfers being conducted behind the scenes, there is potential for a distraction or two over the coming weeks, yet Ferreira will back his side to remain focused on ensuring that the deficit to frontrunners Botafogo extends to no more than two points.
As for Bragantino, they have started to wilt after a far stronger start to the campaign where they came through their opening five league games without suffering defeat.
Nine points were collected from those fixtures, but two defeats have been posted in their last four, going down to Bahia and Atletico Mineiro.
Pedro Caixinha's side responded last time out with a hard-earned 2-1 triumph over Juventude, defying a 12th-minute red card before scoring a late decisive goal.
Bragantino have still not netted more than twice in a league game this season, but having only conceded nine times in as many games, with the foundations laid for another positive campaign.
Team News
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Even though reports have emerged that Willian Estevao has undergone a medical ahead of a 2025 transfer to Chelsea, the 17-year-old started against Atletico Mineiro on Monday night.
There may be an element of squad rotation courtesy of the short turnaround, with Mayke, Gabriel Menino and Jose Lopez all in contention.
Richard Rios and Gustavo Gomez are at the Copa America with their respective nations and will play no part in this contest.
Bragantino will have to make do without Jadsom after his early dismissal against Juventude, but Nathan Mendes is free to return from his own ban.
Juninho Capixaba should feature at left-back with Luan Candido also serving a one-match suspension.
The visitors have had a longer rest period ahead of this game, making it plausible the same side could be selected aside from that enforced alterations.
Palmeiras possible starting lineup:
Weverton; Rocha, Naves, Murillo, Piquerez; Rafael, Moreno; Estevao, Veiga, Lazaro; Rony
Bragantino possible starting lineup:
Cleiton; Mendes, Henrique, Santos, Capixaba; Gustavinho, Fernandes, Evangelista; Helinho, Borbas, Mosquera
We say: Palmeiras 2-0 Bragantino
Bragantino will be hopeful they can take advantage of Palmeiras potentially being distracted by another big-money sale being arranged for a future date, yet we can only see one side winning this contest. A head of steam appears to be building and another victory and clean sheet could be posted here.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
Darren Plant
