Palmeiras will be hoping to return to the summit of Brasileiro when they make the trip to Estadio Francisco Stedile to take on Gremio on Thursday night.
The hosts pushed this opponent all the way to the final day for the title last season, but this term has been massively different as they enter gameweek 14 below the dotted line.
Match preview
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While Gremio have had their struggles on the field this term, one has to feel for them given that they are not playing home games at the Arena do Gremio, which is still being restored after being damaged by the floods earlier this year.
After finishing just two points off the title last term, Gremio have experienced a major fall from grace this season, currently sitting in the bottom three in the league standings with just 10 points after 11 games.
Indeed, they have played two games fewer than the majority of the sides in the top flight, but there is no denying the side has felt the departure of Luis Suarez as the focal point of their attack, and their new arrivals are yet to hit the heights expected.
Imortal Tricolor have recorded just three wins, one draw and seven losses this term, but brought an end to a five-match winless run last weekend when they beat fellow strugglers Fluminense 1-0 at home.
However, defeating a team like Flu, who are dead last this season, does not provide much encouragement for fans of Gremio, who have seen their team score just eight league goals this year - the fewest of any side in the top flight.
Nevertheless, the hosts have now earned nine of their 11 points this season at Estadio Francisco Stedile and did get the better of this opponent in their last matchup at this venue last season.
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Meanwhile, it has been business as usual this season for Palmeiras, who trail league-leading Flamengo by a single point and have only dropped points in one of their last seven league matches.
Verdao bounced back from a 3-0 defeat to Fortaleza with a solid 2-0 win against Corinthians last week despite playing the majority of the second half with 10 men, marking their fourth consecutive home win since mid-June.
Key to Abel Ferreira's side's success this term has been their solidity in defence, having only conceded nine goals to date, which is the second-fewest in the division behind Internacional, although the latter have only played 11 games so far.
However, it is not only in the domestic competition that Verdao have been performing well, as they also qualified for the last 16 of the Copa Libertadores by winning their group unbeaten (W4 D2 L0).
In addition to their solid home form, Palmeiras have been the best team on the road in Brasileiro so far this season, earning 13 points from six matches (W4 D1 L1), while recording four clean sheets in that time.
Team News
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Gremio will remain without the services of Yeferson Soteldo and Mathias Villasanti, who are currently away with Venezuela and Paraguay respectively at the 2024 Copa America.
Dodi will be forced into a watching brief after crossing the yellow card threshold last week, while Diego Costa, Andre Henrique, Lucas Mila and Jhonata Robert are ruled out through injury.
Ferreira has a bit of a selection headache for this match, having to make do without three of his starting midfielders from last week, with Raphael Veiga, Ze Rafael and Gabriel Menino all suspended.
Palmeiras also have Endrick, Richard Rios and Gustavo Gomez currently away on international duty, while another two midfielders in Lazaro and Romulo are out until the end of the month due to injury.
Gremio possible starting lineup:
Marchesin; Pedro, Geromel, Ely, Reinaldo; Edenilson, Pepe, Carballo; Gomes, Pavon, Cristaldo
Palmeiras possible starting lineup:
Weverton; Rocha, Naves, Reis, Piquerez, Fabinho, Vanderlan, Mayke, Estevao, Dudu; Lopez
We say: Gremio 1-2 Palmeiras
While classed as a 'home' game for Gremio, referring to this as a neutral venue is perhaps a more accurate description.
Palmeiras are in good form this season and have the league's best away record as things stand. We feel Verdao will take the points in this one.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
Devesh Jaganath
