After making it through to the cup semi-finals in midweek, Sao Paulo take on state rivals Santos in the Campeonato Brasileiro on Sunday.

The teams convene at Morumbi, where the hosts have won six of their seven league games so far, leaving them eighth in the Serie A standings. Paulo Turra's visitors, meanwhile, sit much closer to the drop zone.

Match preview

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Beating old rivals Palmeiras for the second time in the space of a week, Sao Paulo sealed their spot in the Copa do Brasil semi-finals on Thursday night; building on their recent qualification for the Copa Sudamericana's last 16.

Since coach Dorival Junior was hired three months ago, the Tricolor have shown several signs of improvement, and after second-half strikes from Caio Paulista and substitute David saw off Abel Ferreira's side at Allianz Park, their fans can continue to dream of cup glory.

In the Brasileiro, however, Sao Paulo are some 14 points off the pace of league leaders Botafogo - albeit still just four behind second-placed Flamengo.

Their lack of consistency can be attributed to a huge contrast between results at home and on the road, and the Tricolor Paulista have taken a mere four points from seven away fixtures this year, following last week's goalless draw with Bragantino.

While that represents one of the worst records throughout the Brazilian top flight - only America Mineiro have accumulated fewer away points so far - it has been a different story for Sao Paulo back at Morumbi.

In addition to losing just once there in the league this season - to Palmeiras last month - and winning all of their other six matches, Sunday's hosts have conceded only six goals.

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Sao Paulo's defensive security on home soil may prove a problem for local rivals Santos to unpick this weekend, as before edging a seven-goal thriller against Goias last Sunday, Paulo Turra's team had one of the weakest attacking records in the Brasileiro.

Welcoming the Esmeraldino to Vila Belmiro, Santos had managed a modest 11 league goals; however, they found the net four times - Marcos Leonardo and Colombian striker Stiven Mendoza both bagging themselves a brace.

That result finally ended a 12-game winless streak for the Peixe, who appointed Turra to replace former boss Odair Hellmann last month; continuing managerial turmoil at the Sao Paulo state club.

Already eliminated from the Copa Sudamericana at the group stage, they are still in danger of being dragged into Serie A's relegation dogfight - and an abysmal away record has not helped.

Scoring just two goals in the process, Santos have been beaten four times out of six on the road this term, and their most recent trip to Morumbi - for a Campeonato Paulista clash back in February - also ended in a 3-1 reverse.

Team News

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As forward duo Luciano and Jonathan Calleri - the latter of whom scored in February's state championship win over Santos - returned to Sao Paulo's starting XI in midweek after being sidelined by injury, both should retain their places on Sunday.

Argentine defender Alan Franco (leg) remains a doubt, though, while Pablo Maia was granted leave following the death of his father and may not return until next week's clash with Cuaiba.

Guiliano Galoppo (knee), Lucas Beraldo (ankle) and Igor Vinicius - who is on the road back to fitness following surgery - are all longer-term absentees for the hosts, who may make some changes after their midweek exertions: Jhegson Mendez and Alexandre Pato are among those vying for promotion from the bench.

Meanwhile, Santos are set to replace suspended midfielder Rodrigo Fernandez with Dodi, whose near-namesake Dodo is awaiting clearance from the Brazilian Football Federation (CBF) in order to take his place in the visitors' squad.

The latter recently signed from Atletico Mineiro and would likely make his second debut for the Peixe if available, coming in for Kevyson at left-back.

Venezuela winger Yeferson Soteldo could remain out in the cold after being dropped for disciplinary reasons, so Lucas Lima, Marcos Leonardo and top scorer Stiven Mendoza should start up front.

Sao Paulo possible starting lineup:
Raphael; Rafinha, Arboleda, Costa, Paulista; Mendez, Neves; Rato, Luciano, Nestor; Calleri

Santos possible starting lineup:
Paulo; Lucas, Joaquim, Messias, Dodo; Dodi, Sandry; Braga, Lima, Mendoza; Leonardo

We say: Sao Paulo 2-1 Santos

With Sao Paulo so strong at home and Santos particularly impotent when playing away, there should be only one outcome at Morumbi. Although the visitors finally managed to find their goalscoring touch last week, they will be unable to cope with a step-up in class on Sunday.


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Written by
Jonathan O'Shea

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