Two sides level on points in the top half of the Brasileiro Serie A standings square off on Saturday when Santos play host to Bragantino at the Estadio Urbano Caldeira.
The Massa Bruta will head into the game desperate to get one over the hosts having failed to win any of the last eight meetings between the sides since January 2018.
Match preview
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Santos returned to winning ways in style as they came from behind in the second half to see off a defensively resilient Juventude side 2-1 away from home on Wednesday.
Despite being in the ascendancy for most of the first period, it was the hosts who took the lead courtesy of Ricardo Bueno's 26th-minute strike, but Eduardo Bauermann levelled matters in the 57th minute before Marcos Leonardo completed the turnaround with 13 minutes left to play.
Prior to that, Fabian Bustos's side were on a six-game winless streak across all competitions — a run which saw them pick up just four points from a possible 15 in the Serie A.
Santos have also failed to taste victory in any of their last four home outings, claiming three draws and losing one since a 1-0 win over Union La Calera in the Copa Sudamericana on May 19.
With a highly-anticipated Copa do Brasil clash with Corinthians on the horizon, victory this weekend could set the tone for that encounter as they look to place one foot in the quarter-finals of the cup competition.
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Bragantino, on the other hand, turned in a performance of the highest quality as they secured a comfortable 4-2 victory over Coritiba on home turf last Wednesday.
The attacking duo of Hyoran and Artur put on a clinic at the Nabi Abi Chedid Stadium as they were involved in all four goals to hand the hosts their first win in seven attempts against the Glorioso.
Mauricio Barbieri's men are now unbeaten in each of their last three outings, claiming one draw and two wins since ending their nine-game winless run with a 1-0 victory over Flamengo on June 9.
While they will look to keep the juggernaut rolling and leapfrog the hosts in the Serie A standings, they have struggled to get going on the road in recent weeks, picking up two draws and losing two of their last four away games across all competitions.
After 12 rounds of matches, Bragantino and Santos are currently level on 17 points in the Serie A standings and either team could rise as high as fourth place with all three points on Saturday.
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Team News
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Madson missed the trip to Juventude at the weekend after suffering a game-ending injury inside the opening 12 minutes against Atletico Mineiro on June 11 and the Brazilian defender remains out of contention for Santos.
He is joined on the club's injury table by Kevin Malthus and Leo Baptistao, who have been sidelined through ligament and muscle problems respectively.
Bragantino, meanwhile, will take to the pitch without the services of 25-year-old forward Carlos Eduardo, who has been out of action since last April through a muscle problem.
Barbieri will also be unable to call upon Uruguayan midfielder Emiliano Martinez, who continues his long road to full fitness after suffering an Achilles tendon problem back in December.
Artur has been a star performer for the visitors so far, registering three goals and two assists in eight league appearances this season, and the 24-year-old will certainly be one to keep an eye out for.
Santos possible starting lineup:
Paulo; Auro, Maicon, Bauermann, Jonatan; Fernandez, Zanocelo, Julio; Goulart, Braga, Seco
Bragantino possible starting lineup:
Cleiton; Aderlan, Ortiz, Natan, Candido; Jadsom, Ramires; Artur, Praxedes, Helinho; Ytalo
We say: Santos 1-1 Bragantino
With Santos and Bragantino level on points, we anticipate a thrilling contest with both sides having a go at each other in search of all three points. They head into the game in similar form and we proved the spoils will be shared in this one.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
