Santos vs. Botafogo (Sunday, 8.00pm)
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Botafogo hold a 12-point lead at the summit of the Brasileiro table as they prepare to face struggling Santos at Vila Belmiro on Sunday.
The runaway leaders have won 13 of their 15 matches this season, while Paulo Turra's side have lost four of their previous five league outings.
We say: Santos 0-2 Botafogo
When you couple Santos' poor recent form with Botafogo's remarkable record this season, all the signs point towards another clean-sheet victory for the runaway leaders.
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Bragantino vs. Internacional (Sunday, 8.00pm)
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Bragantino and Internacional are separated by just two points in the Brasileiro table ahead of Sunday's showdown at Estadio Nabi Abi Chedid.
The hosts became the latest team to suffer defeat against runaway leaders Botafogo last weekend, while the visitors played out a goalless draw with Palmeiras.
We say: Bragantino 2-0 Internacional
Given that Bragantino have won four of their last five home league games – scoring 10 goals while keeping five clean sheets – we expect Massa Bruta to extend their hot streak on home soil at the expense of Internacional.
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Cruzeiro vs. Goias (Sunday, 8.00pm)
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Cruzeiro and Goias will square off in the Campeonato Brasileiro Serie A this Sunday from Arena Independencia in Belo Horizonte for the first time in over three years.
In its first season back in the top flight, Cruzeiro find themselves in 10th following a 0-0 draw with Coritiba, while Esmeraldino wound up with that same result on Monday versus Atletico Mineiro.
We say: Cruzeiro 1-0 Goias
Whatever Cruzeiro lack in attacking quality, they make up for along the back end, and we expect their consistently solid defence should look relatively comfortable handling Goias, allowing them to be a little riskier going forward and eventually find a breakthrough.
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Vasco vs. Athletico PR (Sunday, 10.30pm)
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For the first time in nearly two years, Athletico Paranaense will travel to Estadio Sao Januario in Rio de Janeiro to battle Vasco da Gama on Sunday.
O Almirante remain in the relegation zone, losing its second successive Brasileiro Serie A fixture last week, 1-0 versus Cruzeiro, while El Paranaense won their previous domestic affair, 2-0 at home to Bahia, ending a three-match losing run in all competitions.
We say: Vasco da Gama 0-2 Athletico Paranaense
It will take more than just a new face on the sidelines to turn around the fortunes of Vasco da Gama and playing a side with its share of chance creators along with one of the best strikers in the league is probably the last thing they need.
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Barney Corkhill
