Seeking to snap their four-game losing streak and surge from the bottom of the Serie A standings, Juventude visit the Cicero Pompeu de Toledo Stadium to face Sao Paulo on Sunday.
The Tricolor Paulista, on the other hand, head into the game unbeaten in each of their last five games against the visitors and will look to keep the juggernaut rolling.
Match preview
© Reuters
Sao Paulo placed one foot in the round of 16 of the Copa do Brasil when they claimed a 1-0 victory over Palmeiras in the last-16 first leg on Friday morning.
Patrick continued his red-hot form at the attacking end of the pitch as he scored his third goal in four games to hand the hosts all three points.
Rogerio Ceni's side now turn their attention to the Brasileiro Serie A where they have lost each of their most recent two outings and are on a run of one win from seven games.
While this poor run has been owing to their struggles on the road, where they are winless this season, Sao Paulo will be more than happy to return home where they have picked up 14 points from a possible 18 — the fourth-highest tally at home so far.
The Tricolor Paulista have picked up four wins, six draws and lost three of their 13 games so far to collect 18 points and sit 10th in the Serie A standings.
© Reuters
Elsewhere, Juventude were left empty-handed once again as they fell to a disappointing 3-1 defeat at the hands of Atletico Goianiense last time out.
After going ahead through Rodrigo Soares's first-half strike, O Azul imploded at the defensive end of the pitch once again as Airton, Wellington Rato and Leo Pereira netted in the final half hour to turn the game on its head.
The defeat further highlighted Juventude's defensive woes as they currently hold the division's worst record with 24 goals conceded already, while scoring 12 at the opposite end of the pitch.
Eduardo Baptista's side have now lost each of their last four outings, stretching back to a 1-0 home victory over sixth-placed Fluminense on June 5.
While Juventude will look to arrest this slump in form, next up is an opposing side who are unbeaten in each of the last five meeting between the teams, claiming three wins and two draws since a 1-0 loss back in 2016.
With 10 points from 13 games, Sunday's visitors are currently rooted to the bottom of the league standings, level on points with 19th-placed Fortaleza and five away from America Mineiro just outside the drop zone.
- D
- D
- D
- W
- L
- L
- D
- D
- W
- L
- L
- W
- D
- W
- L
- L
- L
- L
Team News
© Reuters
Sao Paulo will be without the midfield duo of Luan Santos and Andres Colorado, who are recuperating from thigh injuries.
They are joined on the club's injury table by 28-year-old midfielder Alisson, who is set to miss his sixth consecutive game, while Nikao has been sidelined since May.
Twenty-one-year-old Gabriel Sara picked up an ankle injury 39 minutes into the Copa Sudamericana game against Jorge Wilstermann back in April and is out of contention for the hosts.
With his winner against Palmeiras last time out, Patrick has now scored three goals in his last four outings and we expect the 29-year-old to lead the attack once again.
Brazilian defender William Matheus as the 32-year-old will serve a suspension for receiving his marching orders against Atletico Goianiense last time out.
On the injury front, O Azul will be without the services of Vitor Mendes (thigh), Isidro Pitta (muscle) and Felipe Alves (calf), who all continue their spells on the sidelines.
Kelvi has been out of action since last February through a broken ankle, while 32-year-old Marlon Adriano is set to miss his third consecutive game due to a muscle problem.
Edinho came off with an ankle injury five minutes after coming on in April's game against Sunday's visitors, while Vitor Gabriel is a doubt after sitting out the trip to Atletico Goianiense through a knock.
Sao Paulo possible starting lineup:
Jandrei; Arboleda, Leo, Costa; Vinicius, Gomes, Nestor, Neves, Reinaldo; Calleri, Patrick
Juventude possible starting lineup:
Cesar; Soares, Thalisson, Forster, Henrique; Chico, Jadson, Irmer; Ruiz, Bueno, Capixaba
We say: Sao Paulo 2-0 Juventude
Buoyed by their cup victory, Sao Paulo will head into the weekend with renewed confidence as they look to find their feet in the Serie A. They take on an out-of-sorts Juventude side, who have lost each of their last four outings, and we predict they will come away with all three points.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
Top tip
Joshua Ojele
