Preview: Avai vs. Palmeiras - prediction, team news, lineups

League leaders Palmeiras continue their quest for an 11th Brasileiro title, and first since 2018, as they visit mid-table Avai on Saturday, at Estadio da Ressacada.

Despite seeing a long unbeaten streak ended in the Copa do Brasil this week, the Sao Paulo giants sit top of the pile in the Serie A standings - already 11 points clear of their 11th-placed opponents.

Match preview

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After a dramatic league victory over city rivals Sao Paulo on Monday, Palmeiras finally saw their impressive 19-match unbeaten run brought to a halt by the same opponents in the cup just two days later.

Verdao came away from Morumbi with a 1-0 first-leg loss in their last 16 tie, as the hosts' striker Patrick escaped the attention of both Danilo and Gustavo Gomez to score the only goal of the game - consigning Abel Ferreira's men to their first defeat since early April.

Just as on the road to last year's Copa Libertadores triumph and in this year's Paulista tournament, Palmeiras will now need to use home advantage to see off their Choque-Rei rivals for the third successive time in knockout football.

After 13 rounds in Serie A, though, they are 10 points ahead of their old foes in the table, having scored twice in the final few minutes of Monday's Brasileiro clash to stun Sao Paulo 2-1.

Boasting 15 wins and four draws during their long unbroken period of success, Ferreira's attack-minded side - who have scored at a league-high rate of nearly two goals per game - will undoubtedly be keen to bounce back immediately from their first reverse.

Not due to play the return leg of their Copa do Brasil clash until mid-July - and with a last-16 Libertadores tie against Paraguay's Cerro Porteno on the near horizon - facing promoted opposition presents the perfect chance to do so.

Avai came up short in search of a third straight win last weekend, which would have seen them climb into the top half of the tightly-packed Serie A standings, but they have still adapted to life in the Brazilian top flight admirably this term.

Beaten 2-0 by Fluminense last time out, the club from Santa Catarina state had been returning to form in recent weeks, with a 1-0 win away at fellow promoted side Botafogo being followed by an entertaining 3-2 victory over Fortaleza.

Eduardo Barroca's team find themselves still just a point outside the top six as a result, though they also remain only three clear of the drop zone.

Now, Leao da Ilha - the 'Lion of the Island' - step up in class again, as they welcome South America's most formidable force to Florianopolis.

Team News

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Following the blow of a first defeat in over three months, Palmeiras will be cheered by news that midfielder Raphael Veiga should be available for Sunday's game after recovering from a thigh injury.

As the talented playmaker returned to full training on Friday, coach Abel Ferreira will only be without long-term absentee Jailson for the trip to Santa Catarina.

Following underwhelming performances in midweek, Gustavo Scarpa, Dudu and Gabriel Veron may find their places most under pressure due to Veiga's return, but Rony should continue to lead the line up front.

Avai, meanwhile, will remain without Douglas Friedrich this weekend, as the goalkeeper continues to recover from a knee injury, while forward Jean Pyerre - on loan from relegated Gremio - is struggling with a thigh problem.

Once again, centre-forward Guilherme Bissoli - who has netted six goals in the top flight so far this season - will spearhead the hosts' attack, at the apex of a probable 4-1-4-1 formation.

Avai possible starting lineup:

Vladimir; Kevin, Bressan, Chaves, Cortez; Silva; Pottker, Raniele, Biasi, Muriqui; Bissoli

Palmeiras possible starting lineup:

Weverton; Rocha, Gomez, Cerqueira, Piquerez; Danilo, Menino; Veron, Veiga, Dudu; Rony

We say: Avai 1-2 Palmeiras

Spurred on by the bitter taste of defeat to their close rivals, Palmeiras are surely set to recover immediately, as they fulfil their third fixture in under a week - significantly, Avai's defensive record is among the worst in Serie A so far.

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