Sports Mole previews Sunday’s Brasileiro clash between Sao Paulo and America Mineiro, including predictions, team news and possible line-ups.
Sao Paulo will be host America Mineiro just a point clear of the top half of the Campeonato Brasileiro Serie A table on Sunday in an important competition.
After eight games unbeaten, the hosts have moved up to sixth place, overtaking their opponents who have fallen to ninth place after a recent defeat.
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Sao Paulo have made a relatively strong start to the Brazilian premier league and are in an eight-game unbeaten streak since the only loss in the second round.
In the time since Rogerio CeniThe side have accumulated 12 points thanks to victories over Santos and Cuiaba and six draws, four of which in a row are before this weekend.
After sharing points with Corinthians and Ceara, the Bicharada entered back-to-back encounters with newly promoted Avai and Coritiba, taking a 1-0 lead on both occasions.
But they didn’t get over the line either Alef manga to recoup some of the loot at the recent meeting with the latter Jonathan Calleri gave Sao Paulo an early lead.
While Ceni’s men will be relatively happy with their unbeaten streak and consequent rise to sixth place, the league remains particularly tight with their ninth-place opponents just a point adrift, and they are desperate to face the Returning to winning ways Make sure they don’t fall back into the middle of the table.
Their visitors, meanwhile, will try to recover from defeat and jump over the hosts again at the weekend.
America Mineiro had an encouraging start to the season, but one loss and two draws left them on 11 points from their first eight games in Brazil’s top flight.
The Coelho then returned to winning ways, defeating Cuiaba 2-1 on home turf thanks to goals from ale and Felipe Azevedo on either side of halftime.
Vagner ManciniThe team from could not build on this triumph last time because they failed in the home game against Ceara with a double pack Stiven Mendoza condemned them to a 2-0 defeat.
Considering how close the division remains this early in the tenure, that loss quickly dropped America Mineiro to ninth place, and with the hosts just a point clear and a mere two-point lead over 15th , the Coelho will be excited to ensure they are moving in the right direction with a return to form at the weekend.
São Paulo Brasileiro form:
São Paulo Form (all competitions):
America Mineiro Brasileiro Form:
America Mineiro form (all competitions):
Team News
Sao Paulo will have to do without a midfielder Igor Gomes due to a suspension while Robert Arboleda is on a foreign assignment with Ecuador.
Nikao is another notable absence as the attacking talent is sidelined through injury.
However, it is Jonathan Calleri who has excelled as a striker so far this season. The Argentine striker has scored nine goals in just ten league games.
America Mineiro will miss key man Felipe Azevedo through suspension Juan Ramirez and Paulinho Boia will continue spells in the treatment room.
Aloisio‘s place at the top of the pitch could be under threat given the side’s recent struggle for goals with players like Henrique Almeida and Wellington Paulista push to get up front in the starting XI.
Sao Paulo possible starting line-up:
Jandre; Miranda, Leo, Costa; Rafinha, Nestor, Luan, Reinaldo; Luciano, Calleri, Patrick
America Mineiro possible starting line-up:
Prison; Patric, Conti, Ferreira, Marlon; Ale, Kal, Valura; Everaldo, Paulista, Gustavinho
We say: Sao Paulo 2-1 America Mineiro
Although Sao Paulo have not recorded any wins in recent weeks, they come into the game with a strong unbeaten streak to build on and we see them with home advantage against an America Mineiro side who are far from their best is to return to winning ways.
For a data analysis of the most likely outcomes, goal scores and more for this game, please click here.
top tip
Our expert tipster partners at Sporita.com predict under 2.5 goals in this game. Click here to find out what else they predict for this game and for more of their tried and true football tips.Under 2.5:Data