The top two teams in the Brasileiro table will go head-to-head when Palmeiras host Botafogo on Sunday.
The visitors are five points clear of their forthcoming opponents at the division's summit, meaning they have an excellent opportunity to put further distance between themselves and the rest of the chasing pack.
Match preview
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Having lifted their 11th Brasileiro title last season, reclaiming it for the first time since 2018, Abel Ferreira and his players will be determined to reel league leaders Botafogo in by beating them at Allianz Parque on Sunday.
Alviverde fell to their first defeat in Serie A this season at the hands of Bahia last time out, with Thaciano bagging a dramatic winner for his side in the third minute of injury time, allowing Botafogo to extend their lead at the top of the table.
Ferreira's side had won each of their previous two league games, though, and there is certainly no need to panic at this early stage of the campaign. After all, they are dubbed O Maior Campeao do Brasil - the Greatest Champion in Brazil - for a reason, with their recent experience of reclaiming their crown set to stand them in good stead.
Palmeiras have already secured their progression to the knockout stages of the Copa Libertadores with a game to spare, too, having won the competition for the third time in the club's history in 2021.
Should they avoid defeat as a worst case scenario on Sunday, they would remain on track for another excellent season, with winning one of the two big trophies once again representing a realistic aim for them.
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Botafogo, on the other hand, are lacking experience at the business end of seasons, having only lifted the Brasileiro on two occasions in their history (1968 and 1995).
Having finished 11th in the table last time out, 28 points behind their forthcoming opponents at the summit, it has been something of a surprise to see Luis Castro's side amass a healthy lead at the top of the table after only 11 matches, while they have already booked their place in the knockout stages of the Copa Sudamericana.
Unlike Palmeiras, who have drawn four times already, Fogo have lived up to their nickname by breathing fire in the form of nine victories, with away defeats to Goias and Athletico Paranaense standing out as the only blemishes on their domestic copybook so far this campaign.
However, there is little doubt that Sunday's trip to Sao Paulo to take on the reigning champions will be their biggest test yet, but if they can return home to Rio de Janeiro with their five-point lead at the top at least maintained, that would surely represent a fine evening's work.
Team News
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Palmeiras could remain without defenders Murilo and Marcos Rocha due to shoulder and hamstring issues respectively, while Eduard Atuesta is a long-term casaulty due to an ACL injury.
Giovani could come into the hosts' starting lineup having only been used from the bench during his side's surprising defeat to Bahia last time out, but Ferreira is unlikely to make too many changes given his side's strong form beforehand.
Botafogo, meanwhile, may travel without Lucas Fernandes, Gabriel Pires, Kayque, Patrick de Paula and Fernando Marcal due to injury, while Danilo Barbosa was substituted during his side's 1-0 win away to Cuiaba in midweek due to a hamstring issue, and he is unlikely to recover in time.
Having had fewer rest time between matches compared to the hosts, Castro may contemplate freshening things up for such an important clash, with Luis Henrique and Matheus Nascimento set to provide fresh impetus in attack after only being used from the bench on Thursday.
Palmeiras possible starting lineup:
Lomba; Mayke, Luan, Gomez, Vanderlan; Ze Rafael, Menino; Giovani, Tabata, Dudu; Endrick
Botafogo possible starting lineup:
Perri; Rafael, Adryelson, Cuesta, Hugo; Tche Tche, Freitas, Fernandes; Nascimento, Tiquinho, Henrique
We say: Palmeiras 2-1 Botafogo
With Palmeiras knowing they can ill-afford to allow their opponents to move eight points clear of them at the top of the table, this should be a fiercely-contested encounter between the reigning champions and the primary contenders.
While form would dictate that Botafogo should be favourites to win the match, we expect the hosts' experience, quality and home support to make the difference in the end, with a narrow victory for the hosts predicted.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
Top tip
Brett Curtis
