Both marooned in mid-table, and only a point above the relegation zone, Campeonato Brasileiro rivals Bragantino and Avai meet on Saturday, at Nabizao.
Amid the tightly-packed standings, the pair are flirting with the dotted line after taking just a point apiece from their last three Serie A matches.
Match preview
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After putting together a four-game unbeaten run in mid-June, featuring two wins and two draws, Bragantino have stumbled of late - posting back-to-back defeats over the past fortnight.
The manner of Braga's 4-2 loss away to Atletico Paranaense - when they trailed by three goals before the half-hour mark - may well have had an effect on their fortunes in Monday's clash with Botafogo.
Going into the game tied on points with their counterparts from Rio de Janeiro, Mauricio Barbieri's men failed to make the most of their dominance and were stung by the visitors' second-half strike in a 1-0 defeat.
That result leaves them 14th in the Serie A standings, and while remaining just six points shy of an all-important top six place - which would secure automatic entry to next season's Copa Libertadores - Braga are perilously close to the drop zone with more than a third of the season played.
A modest three wins from eight attempts at Nabizao have contributed to the malaise of a side which managed to finish sixth last year, so Barbieri will want his team to take advantage of opponents who have similarly struggled in the past few weeks.
Avai's most recent outing came at their Ressacada headquarters, when they were turned over by occupants of the Brasileiro relegation zone - losing 2-1 to Cuiaba on Sunday.
Having previously been beaten by Fluminense before holding league leaders Palmeiras to a creditable draw, Eduardo Barroca saw his side squander a one-goal half-time lead; consigning them to just a second home loss of the 2022 season.
The promoted club from Santa Catarina have adapted to life in the Brazilian top flight relatively well following their promotion from Serie B, but they are yet to fully impose themselves away from home.
In their first Serie A season since 2019, Leao da Ilha have managed just one league victory on the road this term, so will arrive in Sao Paulo as underdogs - despite sitting three places above Bragantino in the standings.
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Team News
Following successive defeats, Bragantino may make changes on Saturday, but midfielder Eric Ramires will not be available to coach Mauricio Barbieri, due to suspension.
The 22-year-old was introduced as a second-half substitute against Botafogo but was subsequently sent off in stoppage time for kicking the ball at the opponent after a free kick.
Barbieri's options up front are limited, too, as the loan deal of centre-forward Jan Hurtado has ended - the Venezuela international recently returned to Boca Juniors - so Alerrandro could continue up front for the home side, despite his inability to help Braga break through last time out.
Meanwhile, Avai winger William Pottker will be back in action this weekend after serving a one-match suspension, and he could start on the right flank at Nabizao.
Pottker proved a decisive figure in the visitors' last league win - providing an assist and earning two penalties in a 3-2 victory over Fortaleza.
In a busy medical department at the club, Bressan (muscular), Jean Cleber, Renato and Romulus (both thigh) are all still doubtful due to injury, while forward pair Muriqui and Morato - the latter currently on loan from Bragantino - were both withdrawn at half time against Cuiaba.
Bragantino possible starting lineup:
Cleiton; Aderlan, Ortiz, Natan, Candido; Evangelista, Raul; Miguel, Hyoran, Sorriso; Alerrando
Avai possible starting lineup:
Douglas; Kevin, Raniele, Chaves, Cortez; Silva; Pottker, Nonoca, Biasi, Muriqui; Bissoli
We say: Bragantino 1-0 Avai
With only four goals from their first seven away games of the campaign, Avai are unlikely to pose a sustained threat to the Bragantino goal.
As the hosts should also dictate the play from midfield - bossing the ball and controlling the tempo - only one moment of magic may be needed to secure maximum points.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
Jonathan O'Shea
