Sports Mole previews Friday’s Brasileiro clash between Palmeiras and Vasco da Gama, including predictions, team news and possible lineups.
Palmeiras shall attempt to extend their current unbeaten run in all competitions to five games on Friday when they host Vasco da Gama.
The visitors head into the fixture on the back of a 6-1 loss, and could find themselves in the Brasileiro relegation zone with another defeat here.
Match preview
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Palmeiras have made a strong start to the new campaign which can be seen by the fact they currently sit seventh in the table, just three points behind the current league leaders Flamengo.
Despite that, they are one of the lowest-scoring teams in the division with just five goals in seven games, and that has been a particular issue for them in home fixtures.
Palmeiras have yet to find the back of the net at Allianz Parque in three matches, which is a big reason why they are yet to register a win in the stadium throughout the season.
With a draw and two defeats to their name, improving the home form is an area for Carlos Martinho to focus on, especially since it could lead to them breaking into the top six.
However, the Palmeiras boss will have been left impressed with the fighting spirit of his team in their most recent outing as Lazaro came off the bench to score a 92nd-minute winner against Criciuma.
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On the other hand, the visitors showed a lack of character during their most recent outing as they were comfortably beaten 6-1 by Flamengo, despite Pablo Vegetti giving them the lead in the ninth minute.
The loss was Vasco’s fifth defeat of the season, which is the joint-highest amount of any team in the division, a feat they share with the three clubs at the bottom of the division.
The difficulties that they have had so far in this campaign have left the club in 15th position after the opening seven matches, sitting just one point above the relegation zone.
It has placed Vasco under pressure in the early moments of the season, which they will want to change immediately before they get dragged into further problems.
However, Alvaro Pacheco‘s men have lost all of their away fixtures so far, finding life on the road difficult so far.
Palmeiras Brasileiro form:
Palmeiras form (all competitions):
Vasco da Gama Brasileiro form:
Vasco da Gama form (all competitions):
Team News
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Lazaro will be hopeful that his cameo from the bench last weekend was enough to earn him a place in the starting lineup this time as he scored the winner in that match.
It is unlikely that Luis Guilherme will feature in this fixture though as West Ham United have been preparing a medical for his expected move to the Premier League outfit this summer.
Palmeiras do have a plethora of players to bring back following suspensions though as Mayke, Jose Manuel Lopez and Endrick will all be at Martinho’s disposal once again.
However, the hosts are going to be without Bruno Rodrigues until July after recent knee surgery, while Dudu is also sidelined through injury.
The visitors will be without Joao Victor this weekend after he was sent off during their defeat against Flamengo, forcing a major change to the heart of the back three this time around.
Paulinho is also sidelined at the moment because of a knee injury, with his return not expected until July.
Palmeiras possible starting lineup:
Weverton; Rocha, Gomez, Cerqueira, Piquerez; Menino, Rafael, Estevao, Veiga, Lazaro; Rony
Vasco da Gama possible starting lineup:
Jardim; Luis, Maicon, Leo, Piton; Galdames Sforza; Adson, Payet, David; Vegetti
We say: Palmeiras 2-0 Vasco da Gama
Palmeiras might not have won a match at home yet this season, but they will likely see this as the perfect opportunity to change that.
The hosts have been in confident form lately, while the visitors have yet to get going this season.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.