Flamengo vs. America Mineiro (Saturday, 8.00pm)
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Flamengo will be aiming to reduce the deficit to Brasileiro leaders Botafogo when they host America Mineiro on Saturday.
The visitors, meanwhile, will head into the contest lying at the bottom of the table.
We say: Flamengo 2-0 America Mineiro
Flamengo will have been frustrated by drawing two successive league games, allowing Botafogo to extend their lead at the top to 12 points.
However, we expect them to return to winning ways against a potentially fatigued America Mineiro side who, despite advancing in the Copa Sudamericana in midweek in some style, are unlikely to turn a corner quite so quickly after making a disappointing start to their league campaign.
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Palmeiras vs. Fortaleza (Saturday, 8.00pm)
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A surprisingly poor Palmeiras can end a five-match winless run in all competitions when they welcome Fortaleza to Allianz Parque on matchday 16 of the Brasileiro Serie A campaign this Saturday.
The defending league champions could not find a way through Internacional last weekend, drawing 0-0, while Leao do Pici lost 1-0 at Cuiaba as they remain two points behind Palestra in the table.
We say: Palmeiras 3-0 Fortaleza
Fortaleza have been on the receiving end of numerous lopsided results at Allianz Parque, and they are catching Palestra at a bad time once again.
Unfortunately for the visitors, we believe they might suffer a similar fate this weekend against a Verdao team who rarely show mercy to the Ceara-based club when they come to town.
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Bahia vs. Corinthians (Saturday, 10.30pm)
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Bahia can end a six-match winless run in all competitions this Saturday when they return to Itaipava Fonte Nova Arena for a date with Corinthians.
Last weekend the club from Salvador were beaten 2-0 by Athletico Paranaense, putting them just a point above relegation but just two behind Time do Povo, who have not played a Campeonato Brasileiro Serie A fixture since blanking Atletico Mineiro 1-0 on July 8.
We say: Bahia 1-1 Corinthians
These teams are near the bottom of the standings for a reason, as neither have been able to put their opportunities away consistently.
Although Bahia will have a few extra days to rest, Corinthians have reacted well when faced with a setback lately and we believe they will again come Saturday.
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Cuiaba vs. Sao Paulo (Saturday, 10.30pm)
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Off to their best-ever start to a Brasileiro Serie A campaign, Cuiaba host Sao Paulo on Saturday at Arena Pantanal in Mato Grosso.
Dourado extended their unbeaten run in the top-flight to three matches, beating Fortaleza 1-0 last weekend, while Sao Paulo have not lost in six successive encounters in all competitions, easing their way past Santos 4-1.
We say: Cuiaba 0-0 Sao Paulo
To this point of the 2023 campaign, Sao Paulo have not played with as much aggression away from home, while Cuiaba have looked fairly comfortable at the back since Oliveira took charge, and we anticipate the home side will hang back and be able to surround their opponents this weekend without leaving a lot of clear-cut opportunities.
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Gremio vs. Atletico Mineiro (Sunday, 1.00am)
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Atletico Mineiro can end a seven-match winless run in all competitions and a streak of nearly a decade without a victory at Gremio when they travel to Arena do Gremio this Saturday.
Last Sunday, Imortal Tricolor gave up a pair of late strikes, losing 2-0 at home to Botafogo as they remain a point behind Flamengo for second in the Brasileiro Serie A table, while Atletico held onto a 0-0 result versus Goias earlier this week.
We say: Gremio 1-1 Atletico Mineiro
Galo have been sharp defensively away from home in this competition, and we believe they will be able to limit the Gremio scoring opportunities on Saturday and find a way to claim a point against an unstable backline.
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Barney Corkhill
