Preview: Bragantino vs Gremio - prediction, team news, lineups

Bragantino host Gremio at the Cicero de Souza Marques Stadium on Sunday in the 24th round of the Brazilian Championship, with both sides looking to respond to disappointing recent results.

Massa Bruta are attempting to end a four-game winless run, while the visitors arrive under pressure after suffering their heaviest defeat of the season and remain just two points clear of the relegation zone.

Match preview

Bragantino head into the weekend in seventh place with 32 points from 22 matches, but their recent results have failed to reflect several encouraging performances.

Since the resumption of the season following the World Cup, Massa Bruta have won just one of their eight matches and are still waiting for their first victory in the Brazilian Championship during that period.

Their most recent league outing ended in a 1-1 draw away to Athletico-PR, where they took the lead before coming under increasing pressure in the closing stages, before drawing 2-2 with Atletico-MG on Wednesday before being eliminated from the Copa Sudamericana 3-2 on aggregate.

With their continental campaign now over, the Brasileirao becomes Bragantino's sole focus, although the timing of Sunday's fixture presents another challenge, with the match being their fourth in just 12 days, leaving little time for recovery or preparation.

At home, Bragantino have produced a reasonably balanced campaign but have not consistently turned their territorial advantage into results – they are likely to enjoy more possession and spend long periods in Gremio's half, but their ability to break down a compact defence could again prove decisive.

The hosts will therefore need to move the ball more quickly and make better use of the spaces that appear when Gremio are forced to defend for extended periods.

Gremio, meanwhile, are looking to regain stability after a damaging 3-0 defeat to Atletico-MG, which represented their heaviest loss since Luis Castro took charge.

That result came after consecutive victories over Mirassol and Sao Paulo had appeared to signal a recovery following their Copa Sudamericana elimination, but the defeat in Belo Horizonte again highlighted some of the defensive issues that have persisted throughout the campaign.

Their biggest concern remains their away form, as Gremio are still without a single victory on the road in the Brasileirao and have scored only six goals across their 11 away matches.

The first meeting between these sides this season offered a good illustration of that problem, as Gremio took the lead and threatened on the counter, but gradually allowed Bragantino to take control, with the hosts accumulating shots and pressure before eventually finding an equaliser.

Gremio will need to avoid becoming too passive again, particularly against a Bragantino side likely to dominate territory at home.

There is one significant advantage for Castro's team, however, and that is preparation time – while the hosts have been involved in a demanding sequence of matches, Gremio have had a full week to recover and work on their weaknesses.

That additional rest could help the visitors compete with greater intensity, but they will still need to find a way to turn their improved preparation into a more convincing away performance.

Bragantino Brasileiro form:

Bragantino form (all competitions):

Gremio Brasileiro form:

Gremio form (all competitions):

Team News

Bragantino are expected to recall several players who started in the Brasileirao, with Tiago Volpi likely to return in goal after Cleiton featured in the Copa Sudamericana.

Gustavo Marques and Bruninho have been cleared by the medical department, while Vanderlan, Caue and Davi Gomes remain sidelined as they continue their recoveries.

Vagner Mancini will also have to manage the fatigue of players involved in Wednesday's match against Atletico-MG.

However, with Bragantino now focused solely on the Brasileirao, the coach has less reason to make extensive changes and could name a side close to his preferred XI.

Gremio will be without Walter Kannemann, who is suspended after picking up his third yellow card. Gustavo Martins, Juan Nardoni and Dodi are also unavailable due to physical problems.

Wallace and Wagner Leonardo are expected to form the centre-back partnership, while Marlon should return at left-back.

Mathias Villasanti is available again after being rested for the defeat to Atletico-MG and should return to midfield alongside Erick Noriega and Filip Krovinovic.

Danilo Barbosa has been registered with the Brazilian Football Confederation but is still working towards full match fitness and is likely to start on the bench.

Bragantino possible starting lineup:

Volpi; Sant'Anna, Henrique, Marques, Capixaba; Fernandes, Gabriel; Herrera; Barbosa, Vinicinho; Pitta

Gremio possible starting lineup:

Weverton; Caito, Wallace, Leonardo, Marlon; Noriega, Villasanti, Krovinovic; Pavon, Vinicius, Amuzu

We say: Bragantino 1-0 Gremio

Bragantino's ability to push the game into the opposition half should give them a slight advantage, particularly against a Gremio defence that will have a different look due to Kannemann's suspension.

However, the hosts' recent struggles against compact defensive structures and the fatigue caused by their congested schedule make a comfortable victory unlikely.

We expect a tight, low-scoring contest, with Bragantino's home advantage and greater attacking initiative ultimately giving them enough to edge out Gremio.

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