Seeking to snap their four-match winless run, Sao Paulo play host to Criciuma at the Estadio do Morumbi in round 12 of the Brasileiro Serie A on Wednesday.
The Tigre have won each of their last two matches heading into the midweek tie and will be looking to make it three victories on the bounce for the first time since February.
Match preview
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Sao Paulo were left empty handed for a second consecutive game as they suffered a shock 4-1 defeat against Vasco da Gama at the Estadio Sao Januario on Sunday.
After falling behind to Andre Silva's 10th-minute opener, Vasco upped the ante and turned the game on its head courtesy of goals from Guilherme Estrella, Leandrinho, David and an own goal from Alan Franco.
Prior to that, Luis Zubeldia's men saw their 13-game unbeaten run in all competitions come to an end on June 20, when they fell to a 1-0 home defeat at the hands of Cuiaba courtesy of a late strike from Eliel.
Sao Paulo have now failed to win each of their last four matches, losing twice and claiming two draws since a 2-0 victory over 10-man Cruzeiro at the Estadio do Morumbi on June 2.
With 15 points from 11 matches, the Tricolor Paulista are currently ninth in the Serie A standings, three points and four places above Thursday's visitors, but could move level with sixth-placed Red Bull Bragantino with all three points on Wednesday.
Criciuma, on the other hand, picked up consecutive victories for the first time since March as they edged out a resilient Botafogo side 2-1 at the Estadio Heriberto Hulse on Saturday.
Ex-Botafogo man Barreto returned to haunt his former employees as he struck in the 10th minute to put the hosts in front, and after Lucas Halter levelled the scores in the 55th minute, substitute Arthur Caike netted with six minutes left to play to hand the Lone Star their first defeat in 10 games.
This followed a 2-1 victory over 10-man Atletico Goianiense on June 19, when Newton and Miguel Trauco found the back of the net to hand Criciuma a much-needed victory and end their run of six consecutive games without a win in all competitions.
With last weekend's victory, Claudio Tencati's men have now gone three back-to-back matches without defeat, claiming seven points from a possible nine since a 3-1 loss against Athletico Paranaense at the Arena da Baixada on June 14.
Criciuma head into Wednesday's matchup unbeaten in all but one of their four Serie A away games this season — picking up two wins and one draw — with the aforementioned 3-1 loss to Paranaense being the exception.
Team News
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Sao Paulo will have to cope without the services of Rafael (Brazil), Nahuel Ferraresi (Venezuela), James Rodriguez (Colombia) and Damian Bobadilla (Paraguay), who are all on duty at the Copa America.
On the injury front, Zubeldia will be unable to name midfielder Rodrigo Nestor and 38-year-old defender Rafinha, who are currently recuperating from thigh and leg injuries respectively.
Fellow midfielder Pablo Maia has been out of action since sustaining a severe injury back in May while Portuguese defender Joao Moreira is set to sit out his fourth consecutive game through a thigh problem.
As for Criciuma, they will take to the pitch without 31-year-old Wilker Angel, who is currently on duty with the Venezuela national team at the ongoing Copa America.
Portuguese defender Tobias Figueiredo is suspended for the midweek clash after crossing the yellow card threshold with his booking against Botafogo, while Felipe Vizeu has been ruled out with a thigh injury.
Sao Paulo possible starting lineup:
Jandrei; Vinicius, Diego, Franco, Patryck; Gustavo, Galoppo, Nestor, Moura; Andre, Calleri
Criciuma possible starting lineup:
Gustavo; Jonathan, Fagundes, Figueiredo, Hermes; Barreto, Ronald, Mateus; Bolasie, Eder, Trauco
We say: Sao Paulo 1-1 Criciuma
Sao Paulo have run out of steam in recent weeks and will head into the weekend in search of a morale-boosting result. However, we expect a resurgent Criciuma side to turn in another solid team display and hold out for a share of the spoils at the Estadio do Morumbi.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
Joshua Ojele
