Athletico PR vs. Santos (Saturday, 9.00pm)
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Relegation-threatened Santos will look to build on a crucial win when they return to Campeonato Brasileiro Serie A action on Saturday, with a trip to take on Athletico Paranaense.
A victory over Fluminense saw the visitors move three points clear of the drop zone, while their hosts sit just two points better off in 12th spot.
We say: Athletico Paranaense 1-1 Santos
Had the hosts not picked up an elusive victory in the cup, we would have predicted Santos to continue building momentum with a second straight win, but we now expect El Paranaense to come in with renewed confidence.
As a result, we anticipate a share of the spoils between two sides who are keen to pick up a result to move further away from the bottom four, and head in with relatively similar quality.
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Flamengo vs. Atletico Mineiro (Saturday, 11.00pm)
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Flamengo host Brasileiro leaders Atletico Mineiro on Saturday, and the home side enter this fixture having not won a game in their last four attempts across all competitions.
The visitors are in fine form having only lost once in their last 21 games in all competitions, and they already have a 10-point lead at the top of the table with a game in hand on second and third place.
We say: Flamengo 1-1 Atletico Mineiro
With both of these sides having been in cup action during midweek, the boost that Atletico Mineiro would have gained and the disappointment experienced by Flamengo may have an influence on this game.
However, Mineiro have not been as effective away from home this season, and Flamengo have won over 61% of their home matches this season, suggesting that the hosts could make it a difficult outing for the league leaders.
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Juventude vs. Bahia (Saturday, 11.15pm)
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Currently occupying a place in the Campeonato Brasileiro drop zone, Juventude welcome fellow strugglers Bahia to Estadio Alfredo Jaconi on Saturday.
Needing three points to overtake their relegation rivals in the Serie A standings, Juve are without a win in six matches and are precariously placed as they seek to retain their top-flight status.
We say: Juventude 0-1 Bahia
There are unlikely to be many goals in store at Estadio Alfredo Jaconi this weekend, as neither Juventude nor their visitors are in a position to go all-out in attack.
As Bahia have been better at the back in recent weeks, they can pick up a precious away victory and inch further away from the relegation trapdoor at Juve's expense.
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America Mineiro vs. Fortaleza (Sunday, 1.00am)
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Fortaleza will look to take their league winning run to four games on Sunday, when they travel to take on America Mineiro.
A strong run of form has seen the visitors climb back up to third spot in the Campeonato Brasileiro Serie A table, while their hosts now sit 10th thanks to a victory of their own last time out.
We say: America Mineiro 1-1 Fortaleza
While Fortaleza have now put three league victories together on the spin, the hosts have shown themselves to be particularly difficult to beat in recent months, and we do not see Vojvoda's men leaving with all three points.
We instead expect a share of the spoils, with both sides extending their unbeaten runs in the Brazilian top flight.
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Barney Corkhill
