Atletico Mineiro vs. Ceara (Saturday, 8.30pm)
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A first Brazilian Serie A title since 1971 is beginning to turn from a dream to a reality for Atletico Mineiro and they can extend their healthy lead at the top of the table when they welcome Ceara to the Estadio Mineirao on Saturday evening.
Ceara are chasing a spot in the Copa Sudamericana for the second consecutive season, after achieving a 12th-placed finish last season, and can strengthen their hopes when they travel South to Belo Horizonte this weekend.
We say: Atletico Mineiro 2-1 Ceara
Mineiro will be confident of returning to winning ways when they welcome Ceara on Saturday evening and the league leaders' impressive head-to-head record suggests they will be triumphant yet again.
However, as the prospect of a championship win edges ever closer for Cuca and his men, nerves could come into play, making this one a trickier test then it looks on paper.
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Fluminense vs. Atletico GO (Saturday, 8.30pm)
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Fluminense will continue their pursuit of a Copa Libertadores group stage spot when they host fellow continental hopefuls Atletico Goianiense on Saturday night.
The pair are separated by two points in mid-table, in what is shaping up to be an extremely tight end to the Brazilian Serie A campaign.
We say: Fluminense 1-1 Atletico Goianiense
A stumbling campaign could be made a little bit sweeter if Fluminense are able to sneak into the Libertadores spots before the end of the season.
A win against Goianiense will take them within touching distance of the top six, whilst a defeat could spell the end of their hopes, meaning a draw seems the likely scenario in this one.
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Sport vs. Corinthians (Saturday, 8.30pm)
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Corinthians are targeting a return to the Copa Libertadores after a year-long absence, and they can strengthen their position in the top six of the Brazilian Serie A when they travel to Sport Recife on Saturday evening.
Sport Recife are in the midst of a cutthroat relegation battle and face a desperate challenge to avoid dropping into Serie B before the season concludes later this year.
We say: Sport Recife 0-1 Corinthians
Given their defensive record, it is somewhat of a surprise to see Recife so far down in the league table, yet an inability to find goals in crucial matches has proved costly for the Lions.
It could turn out to be another frustrating night in front of goal when Corinthians come to visit on Saturday and an away win seems the most likely outcome in this one.
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Athletico PR vs. Bahia (Saturday, 11.00pm)
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Athletico Paranaense head into Saturday's fixture with Bahia looking to strengthen their position in the top seven of the Brasileiro standings.
In sharp contrast, Bahia are looking to move outside of the relegation zone, a task made tougher by failing to win any of their last four matches.
We say: Athletico Paranaense 3-1 Bahia
With these two clubs seemingly on different trajectories, we can only back one winner. While the visitors may get on the scoresheet, Athletico PR should have enough quality to win relatively comfortably.
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Fortaleza vs. Flamengo (Saturday, 11.00pm)
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Second meets fourth on Sunday night when Flamengo travel to face Fortaleza, with both sides chasing a place in the 2022 Copa Libertadores group stage.
The pair are level on points in the Brazilian Serie A, with Flamengo ahead through a vastly superior goal difference, yet Fortaleza could leapfrog their opponents with a win this weekend.
We say: Fortaleza 1-1 Flamengo
Whilst both sides will be desperate for the three points, this match may depend on how much the two value the win over the potential damaging ramifications of a defeat.
It is not the kind of match that will decide the pair's season, yet it is one that could derail it if they are to be beaten heavily, making the draw the most likely outcome here.
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Palmeiras vs. Bragantino (Sunday, 1.00am)
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Palmeiras and Bragantino will meet in the Brasileiro on Sunday, with both teams hoping to improve their domestic form as they aim to finish the campaign inside the top four.
The hosts have claimed just two wins in their last nine league matches, while the visitors have secured only one victory during the same period.
We say: Palmeiras 3-2 Bragantino
Both sides head into this fixture out of form, and although scoring goals has not been a problem, their defensive frailties have cost them on many occasions in recent weeks.
Goals are to be expected this weekend and we feel that the hosts, who have traditionally dominated on home soil against Bragantino, will do enough to secure all three points.
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Juventude vs. America Mineiro (Sunday, 1.00am)
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Looking to rise into the Copa Sudamericana places in the Brasileiro Serie A standings, Juventude play host to America Mineiro at the Estadio Alfredo Jaconi on Saturday.
The visitors, meanwhile, head into the game off the back of an impressive win over Palmeiras and will be looking to keep the juggernaut rolling.
We say: Juventude 1-1 America Mineiro
Juventude head into the game on a poor run of results, claiming one win from their last nine outings. Next up is the daunting task of taking on an in-form American Mineiro side who are unbeaten in their last seven outings and have lost just once in the last 12. However, we predict the spoils will be shared in this one as the visitors have struggled to get going on the road this season, picking up two wins from their 11 games.
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Ben Knapton
