Sao Paulo play host to Aguia de Maraba on Thursday night looking to secure a safe passage through to the fourth round of the Copa do Brasil.
The defending champions hold a 3-1 advantage over their fourth-tier opponents ahead of the match at Morumbi.
Match preview
© Reuters
There have been times during this campaign when Sao Paulo have looked out of form, putting together winless or losing runs on more than one occasion.
However, with the season now in full flow, Tricolor Paulista have managed to put together an eight-match unbeaten streak in all competitions.
Just four of those games have been in Serie A, Sao Paulo collecting 10 points from a possible 12 to move into fifth position in the table.
Sao Paulo have also not lost in their last four games in the Copa Libertadores, while also putting themselves in line to progress in the Copa do Brasil.
At one stage in the first leg, Luis Zubeldia's side found themselves in trouble, trailing the minnows by a 1-0 scoreline with 35 minute gone.
Aguia de Maraba were down to 10 men, though, and that ultimately proved pivotal as Sao Paulo came through with a 3-1 victory.
Regardless of what materialises on Thursday evening, the visitors will be satisfied to savour the opportunity to face a team of Sao Paulo's reputation.
Victories have already been recorded over Cortibia and Capital to reach this stage, with their priorities realistically needing to switch to life in Serie A.
Mathaus Sodre's team have failed to win any of their last seven matches in the fourth tier, leaving them down in bottom spot in Group Two of the First Phase.
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Team News
Having not played for a week, Zubeldia may be prepared to select much of the same Sao Paulo XI for their meeting with Barcelona SC in the hope of seeing off the challenge of the visitors.
However, Joao Moreira, Luiz Gustavo, Erick, Lucas Moura and Juan are all pushing for starting opportunities.
Goalkeeper Jandrei played in the first leg and could be restored to the team for this contest.
With Wander serving a suspension, Joao Guilherme is in line to deputise for Aguia de Maraba on the right flank.
The remainder of the side could stay the same having started so solidly in the opening fixture before the sending off.
Sao Paulo possible starting lineup:
Jandrei; Igor Vinicius, Arboleda, Franco, Wellington; Alisson, Galoppo; Araujo, Luciano, Ferreirinha; Silva
Aguia de Maraba possible starting lineup:
Axel; Cruz, Betao, Baiano; Limao, Dinde, Wender; Patrick; Guilherme, Braga, Hitalo
We say: Sao Paulo 3-0 Aguia de Maraba (Sao Paulo to win 6-1 on aggregate)
Regardless of what team is selected for this contest, Sao Paulo should have more than enough quality to successfully negotiate this tie, keeping a clean sheet in the process.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
Darren Plant
