Sports Mole previews Sunday’s Brasileiro clash between Coritiba and Palmeiras, including predictions, team news and possible line-ups.
Palmeiras will look to strengthen their position at the top of the Campeonato Brasileiro Serie A table on Sunday when they travel Coritiba.
With strong form, the visitors have carved out a lead at the top of the division, while their hosts sit fifth and have also impressed since their promotion.
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After promotion to the Brazilian top flight, Coritiba has made a strong start to the campaign, accumulating 15 points from their first 10 games to move into fifth place.
With 10 points from six games, the Coxa suffered a disappointing away loss to Atletico Goianiense but were quick to thwart newly promoted Botafogo at home.
Gustav Morinigo‘s side took all three points as Igor Paixao scored the only goal of the game and since that return to winning ways they have played back-to-back draws.
After their trip to Ceara, it ended 1-1, thanks Adrian MartinezAfter the late equaliser, Coritiba achieved the same result last time out against Sao Paulo on home soil after falling behind again earlier Alef manga scored a point in the second half.
Now in fifth place but just two points off 13th at this early stage, the newly promoted Coxa will be looking to grab another win over the weekend to bolster his position at the top end of the division, but it’s difficult test looms against the league leaders.
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Palmeiras are arriving in good league form after recovering from an opening day defeat and going nine games unbeaten.
In this run Abel FerreiraThe team has collected 19 points from five wins and four draws and is therefore one point ahead of Corinthians at the top of the table.
This is due in no small part to their strong defensive record, as no other team in Brazil’s top flight have conceded as few goals as the five goals the Verdao have conceded in ten league games to date.
They go into Sunday’s competition after winning four of their last five games in the Campeonato Brasileiro Serie A, with three straight wins followed by a draw against Atletico Mineiro before returning to winning ways in style last time out and Botafogo thankfully defeated 4-0 to one rony bracket and gates off Gustave Scarpa and wesley.
In their quest for an 11th Brasileiro title and having already come through the group stage of the Copa Libertadores with a perfect record, the Verdao will look to continue to gain momentum and extend their lead at the summit.
Coritiba Brasileiro Shape:
Coritiba form (all competitions):
Palmeira’s Brasileiro form:
Palmeiras form (all competitions):
Team News
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Coritiba could be left without a top scorer Leo Gamalhowho missed the game against Sao Paulo through injury, while players like Willian Farias and a key midfielder Andrei are also offside.
In the former’s absence, Adrian Martinez could be deputized again in attack after scoring two league goals in seven games this season.
Winger Igor Paixao is another threat for the future, having scored three top-flight goals so far this season, while Alef Manga scored his second of the season, taking a point last time out.
Rony will lead Palmeiras’ attack again after his brace last time out and take his tally to five league goals for the season.
Gustavo Scarpa will support the lone striker Daniel and Ze Raffael form a strong unit in the lower midfield.
starman Raphael Veigawho has scored 18 goals in all competitions this season, including six in four Copa Libertadores games, is notable through injury while he is a midfielder prison will continue to cast a spell in the treatment room.
Coritiba possible starting line-up:
Santa Claus; Natanael, Henrique, Castan, Biro; Lemes, Val; Manga, Anderson, Paixao; Martinez
Palmeira’s possible starting line-up:
Weverton; Rocha, Luan, Cerqueira, Piquerez; Danilo, Raphael; Dudu, Scarpa, Veron; rony
We say: Coritiba 1-2 Palmeiras
Coritiba have certainly impressed since rising and proved a competitive team, but we see them falling just short against a strong Palmeiras side who appear to have made their move.
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top tip
Our expert Tipster partners at Sporita.com predict over 1.5 goals in this game. Click here to find out what else they predict for this game and for more of their football best tips.Above 1.5: data