Both looking to end winless runs, Bragantino and Internacional will do battle in Brazilian top-flight action on Sunday.
After eight league games, the hosts find themselves 14th in the Campeonato Brasileiro Serie A table with 10 points, while their opponents are just one better off in 12th spot.
Match preview
© Reuters
With two victories and eight points from their opening four Brasileiro games, Bragantino looked to have made a positive start, but they have since failed to add another notch to their wins column in four attempts.
A home defeat to Corinthians halted their momentum, but Mauricio Barbieri's side were then at least able to earn a point in the following meeting with Atletico Mineiro.
The Massa Bruta then lost 2-0 away at Palmeiras before having to settle for a point against Goias most recently as Artur's opener was cancelled out in the 74th minute.
Now on the back of a penalty shootout defeat against the same opponent in the Copa do Brasil third round last time out, Bragantino will be desperate to return to winning ways to kickstart a climb up the division, but they take on a visiting side in an almost identical situation.
After an opening-day defeat to defending champions Atletico Mineiro, Internacional rebounded with back-to-back victories over Fortaleza and Fluminense.
They have since gone on to play out five consecutive Brasileiro draws, firstly being held to a stalemate by Avai on home turf before sharing the spoils against Juventude, Corinthians and Cuiaba.
Wanderson then put the Colorado ahead against Atletico Goianiense, before a Diego Churin equaliser forced them to share the points for the fifth consecutive time in the top flight.
Despite enjoying a strong run in the Copa Sudamericana thus far, having cruised through to the knockout stage at the top of their group, Internacional may be left disappointed by their start in the league, as they currently occupy 12th spot.
However, with the division still tight at this early stage, they will be keen to post a third win of the top-flight campaign to quickly rise through the middle pack.
- D
- W
- L
- D
- L
- D
- D
- L
- L
- L
- D
- L
- W
- D
- D
- D
- D
- D
- D
- D
- W
- D
- W
- D
Team News
© Reuters
Bragantino are without midfielder Eric Ramires, who will serve a suspension after he was sent off in the dying minutes of the recent league draw with Goias.
In his absence, Lucas Evangelista could be in line to start in the engine room alongside Jadsom.
Striker Ytalo was not involved in the squad for the last top-flight outing but featured in the recent cup defeat, and he could return to lead the line having hit three league goals so far this campaign.
Experienced creative midfielder Taison will be pushing for a return to the starting XI, having struggled for regular minutes this term.
Wanderson will continue to be a threat on the wing, while regular midfielder Gabriel will also push to come back from the outset after being an unused substitute last time out.
Bragantino possible starting lineup:
Schwengber; Hurtado, Lomonaco, Natan, Candido; Jadsom, Evangelista; Artur, Praxedes, Helinho; Ytalo
Internacional possible starting lineup:
Daniel; Bustos, Vitao, Mendez, Rene; De Pena, Edenilson, Gabriel, Wanderson; Taison; Cadorini
We say: Bragantino 1-1 Internacional
With two sides struggling for form but capable of climbing the division, we predict a tight encounter and cannot quite pick a winner.
Given their recent results, we see either outclassing the other being unlikely and instead opt for another share of the spoils.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
