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

Palmeiras will look to strengthen their position at the top of the Campeonato Brasileiro Serie A table on Sunday, when they make the trip to take on Coritiba.

A strong run of form has seen the visitors establish a lead at the summit of the division, while their hosts sit fifth having also impressed since their promotion.

Match preview

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Following their rise back to the Brazilian top flight, Coritiba have made a strong start to the campaign, amassing 15 points from the opening 10 games to put themselves in fifth place.

With 10 points from six outings, the Coxa went on to suffer a disappointing away defeat at the hands of Atletico Goianiense, but they were quickly able to bounce back at home to fellow promoted side Botafogo.

Gustavo Morinigo's side took all three points as Igor Paixao hit the only goal of the game, and, since that return to winning ways, they have played out consecutive draws.

After their trip to Ceara finished 1-1, thanks to Adrian Martinez's late equaliser, Coritiba played out the same scoreline against Sao Paulo on home turf last time out, as they again trailed before Alef Manga salvaged a point in the second half.

Now sitting fifth, but with the gap to 13th place at just two points at this early stage, the newly-promoted Coxa will aim to pull off another victory at the weekend to strengthen their position at the top end of the division, but a tough test looms against the league leaders.

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Palmeiras arrive in a fine run of league form, having bounced back from an opening-day defeat to go nine games unbeaten.

In that run, Abel Ferreira's side have amassed 19 points courtesy of five victories and four draws, moving a point clear of Corinthians at the top of the table as a result.

That is in no small part down to their tight defensive record, with no other side in the Brazilian top flight conceding as few as the five goals that the Verdao have shipped in 10 league games thus far.

They head into Sunday's contest having won four of their last five outings in the Campeonato Brasileiro Serie A, with three straight victories followed by a draw with Atletico Mineiro, before they returned to winning ways in style last time out, thrashing Botafogo 4-0 thanks to a Rony brace and goals from Gustavo Scarpa and Wesley.

In their search for an 11th Brasileiro title, and having already progressed through the Copa Libertadores group stage with a perfect record, the Verdao will look to continue building momentum and stretch their lead at the summit.

Team News

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Coritiba could remain without top scorer Leo Gamalho, who missed out on the Sao Paulo game due to injury, while the likes of Willian Farias and key midfielder Andrey are also sidelined.

In the absence of the former, Adrian Martinez could again deputise in attack, having hit two league goals in seven appearances this term.

Winger Igor Paixao is another threat going forward, having notched up three goals in the top flight so far this season, while Alef Manga hit his second of the campaign to snatch a point last time out.

Rony will again lead the Palmeiras attack after his brace last time out, taking his tally to five league goals for the season.

Gustavo Scarpa will lend support to the lone striker, while Danilo and Ze Rafael form a strong unit at the base of midfield.

Star man Raphael Veiga, who has netted 18 goals across all competitions this season including six in four Copa Libertadores games, is a notable miss through injury, while midfielder Jailson will also continue a spell in the treatment room.

Coritiba possible starting lineup:

Santana; Natanael, Henrique, Castan, Biro; Lemes, Val; Manga, Anderson, Paixao; Martinez

Palmeiras possible starting lineup:

Weverton; Rocha, Luan, Cerqueira, Piquerez; Danilo, Rafael; Dudu, Scarpa, Veron; Rony

We say: Coritiba 1-2 Palmeiras

Coritiba have certainly impressed since their promotion and shown themselves to be a competitive outfit, but we see them falling just short against a strong Palmeiras side who look to have hit their stride.

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