Cruzeiro vs. Cuiaba (Thursday, 11.00pm)
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Seeking a swift return to triumphant ways, Cruzeiro host Cuiaba at their Estadio Governador Magalhaes Pinto base in Thursday's Brasileiro battle.
The hosts' victorious run came to a bitter end in a 2-0 loss to Sao Paulo last time out, while their upcoming foes came up trumps in a seven-goal spectacular with Criciuma over the weekend.
We say: Cruzeiro 2-1 Cuiaba
Whether Cuiaba's magnificent attacking display versus Criciuma is a sign of things to come remains to be seen, but facing a Cruzeiro side who hitherto boasted a terrific defensive streak is a different proposition entirely.
With the hosts also having last weekend off to recuperate, the fresh legs and revered attackers in Seabra's ranks could prove the difference as the Foxes quickly get back on track.
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Internacional vs. Sao Paulo (Friday, 12.00am)
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Two Brasileiro teams who have made promising starts to the 2024 season square off at the Estadio Heriberto Hulse on Friday as Internacional play host to Sao Paulo.
While the visitors currently sit fourth in the table after picking up 13 points from seven matches, the hosts sit just three points further back in eighth spot having played two games fewer.
We say: Internacional 1-1 Sao Paulo
Both teams enter Friday's contest following a positive run of form, so a closely-contested match could be on the cards, with Internacional boasting the slight psychological advantage taking into account their recent head-to-head record.
However, The Red have not been at their free-flowing best on home soil in recent weeks, so we can see Sao Paulo coming away with at least a point from Santa Catarina.
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Flamengo vs. Gremio (Friday, 12.00am)
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League leaders Flamengo will be hoping to extend their stay at the top of the Brasileiro table when they host Gremio at the Maracana.
The home side are unbeaten in their last three matches, while the visitors head into this encounter having lost their last two league games.
We say: Flamengo 2-1 Gremio
Flamengo are the better team heading into this game, based on form and the league table. The home side are unbeaten at home so far while the visitors have lost both of their away games. We expect this to be close, but the hosts should win this one.
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Athletico PR vs. Criciuma (Friday, 12.00am)
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On the back of a dampening three-game losing run, Athletico Paranaense aim to rectify their recent mistakes at home to bottom-half Brasileiro side Criciuma on Thursday.
Cuca's men have had over a week to dissect a 1-0 loss to Fortaleza, while their visitors were thumped 5-2 by a hitherto scoreless and winless Cuiaba outfit.
We say: Athletico Paranaense 3-0 Criciuma
Conceding five goals to a team that had not even registered once in their first six 2024 league matches is surely a harbinger of doom for Criciuma against a Paranaense side needing to right a few wrongs on Thursday.
The hosts may have lost a couple of key players to Copa America call-ups, but as Cuca's men almost always produce the goods at home, they ought to have no trouble pulling themselves out of their rut and prolonging Criciuma's dismal sequence.
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Bahia vs. Fortaleza (Friday, 1.30am)
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Bahia will host Fortaleza at the Fonte Nova Arena on Friday for a round eight Brasileiro encounter, with the chance to go top of the league.
The home side will be hoping to inflict the visitors' first league defeat of the season. They also have their sights set on claiming first place, should current league leaders Flamengo drop points.
We say: Bahia 2-1 Fortaleza
Despite digging deep to get results in previous matches, Fortaleza could fall short this time as they are coming up against a side that have been perfect on home soil and they are visiting a ground that has always haunted them.
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Palmeiras vs. Vasco (Friday, 1.30am)
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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.
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.
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Ben Knapton
