Vasco da Gama will be hoping to avoid a sixth straight Brasileiro defeat when they play host to fellow strugglers Goias at the Estadio Sao Januario on Friday.
The two teams find themselves inside the relegation zone, with Vasco da Gama occupying 19th spot and Goias two points and two places above them in 17th.
Match preview
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After securing promotion from the second tier last season courtesy of a fourth-placed finish, Vasco da Gama have since endured a difficult start to life back in the top tier, losing six, drawing three and winning only one of their opening 10 matches.
A dismal run of five successive defeats, including a 2-1 loss at Internacional in their most recent fixture two weeks ago, has seen the Rio de Janeiro-based outfit plummet into the bottom four, and they are one of just three Brasileiro clubs who are still searching for their first home win of the season.
An impressive 2-1 opening-day victory over Atletico Mineiro seems like a distant memory for head coach Mauricio Barbieri, who has a big task on his hands to turn the club's fortunes around, and will view Friday's clash with Goias as a golden opportunity to claim maximum points.
The 41-year-old, who experienced a brief four-month spell in charge of Goias five years ago, is aware that a win against the Big Green could see his side climb out of the relegation zone if other results were to go their way, and their recent successes against their upcoming opponents bodes well ahead of Friday's clash.
Indeed, Vasco da Gama have won their last two home encounters with Goias, albeit both occurring in 2021, with a 3-2 win in February of that year followed seven months later by a 2-0 victory; Vasco da Gama last won at least three successive home games against Goias between September 2001 and July 2004.
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Goias extended their winless run to four matches courtesy of a 2-2 draw at home against Fluminense in their most recent match just over two weeks ago, but interim boss Emerson Avila will have taken positives from his side rescuing a point late on.
The Big Green were trailing 2-1 heading into the final five minutes until substitute Alesson – on loan from Bahia – restored parity with a brilliant strike into the top corner to ensure that the spoils were shared.
Avila's side, who remain in the relegation zone but are only one point adrift of safety, have fared much better on home soil so far this season as they have accumulated seven of their eight points at the Estadio da Serrinha.
Goias are yet to claim a league win on the road so far this term, while they have not beaten Vasco da Gama on their own patch since securing a slender 1-0 Copa do Brasil victory in March 2020.
Team News
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Vasco da Gama have a number of injury absentees with Gabriel Dias (tendon), Patrick de Lucca, Riquelme (both ACL), Luca Orellano (heel) and Eguinaldo (thigh) in the treatment room.
Sixteen-year-old Rayan Vitor scored on his professional debut last time out and he could retain his place up front, with support set to be provided in the final third by Jair and former Shakhtar Donetsk and Besiktas attacker Alex Teixeira.
However, top scorer Pedro Raul, who has netted nine times in all tournaments so far this term, will be hoping to force his way back into the first XI.
As for Goias, right-back Maguinho has served a one-match suspension and he could return to the starting lineup at the expense of Bruno Santos.
Everton Morelli has started that last two matches since recovering from injury and may retain his place in centre-midfield alongside Willian Oliveira and Ze Ricardo.
Matheus Peixoto converted from the penalty spot last time out – his fourth goal of the campaign – and he is set to lead the line once again in between wingers Alesson and Vinicius.
Vasco da Gama possible starting lineup:
Leonardo; Rodriguez, Capasso, Leo, Piton; Carvalho, Ze Gabriel, Gomes; Jair, Teixeira; Vitor
Goias possible starting lineup:
Tadeu; Maguinho, Halter, Melo, Sander; Morelli, Willian, Ze Ricardo; Alesson, Peixoto, Vinicius
We say: Vasco da Gama 0-1 Goias
A closely-fought contest between two teams desperate to end their poor runs of form is set to take place on Friday, but we believe that Goias will pile more misery on Vasco da Gama and claim their first away victory of the season to potentially move out of the drop zone.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
Top tip
Oliver Thomas
