Gremio can climb back into the top four of the Brasileiro Serie A table when they host Sao Paulo on Sunday from Arena do Gremio.
The 2022 Serie B champions are on a three-match unbeaten run in league play after edging Athletico Paranaense 2-1, while Tricolor Paulista are a point above them in the table, without a domestic defeat since their opening encounter, beating Goias 2-1 last Saturday.
Match preview
© Reuters
Clube de Todos are back in the top flight and making the most of that lost time, trailing Atletico Mineiro on goal difference for a place in the Copa Libertadores group stage next season.
Renato Gaucho has seen his players adapt quickly to the higher division with an efficient tactical approach based on a narrow overall structure, with their double-pivot midfielders always moving in unison.
This has been a dangerous team to contend with down the flanks, with nine players scoring at least once in this competition, as their overloads have created plenty of odd-number advantages when in possession.
Playing for a manager like Gaucho can be physically demanding, and that is evident when this team takes to the field as they are relentlessly pressing their opponents from the opening whistle.
That approach has enabled them to create their share of turnovers in the opposition's half of the field, but Gremio have also had difficulties defending the counter, conceding 12 goals in eight league fixtures, many occurring in those transitional moments.
Imortal Tricolor have won six of their last seven home meetings versus Sao Paulo in this competition, posting five clean sheets over that span.
© Reuters
After a rough opening to the campaign, losing 2-1 to Botafogo on matchday one, Sao Paulo are back on course and in the hunt for the top spot in the league.
Dorival Junior has a lot to do with their recent resurgence, taking over from the legendary Rogerio Ceni in mid-April with this team unbeaten since the 61-year-old took charge.
Sao Paulo have scored the third-most goals in Serie A this season (14), only failing to find the back of the net once in the competition so far.
They are winless in all four of their away fixtures in the league this year, winding up with a single point in three straight road games.
Tricolor Paulista are a perfect 3-0 in league play this season when scoring the opening goal, while they earned their first triumph after allowing the opener last weekend against Goias.
Containing the opposition down the flanks has proven to be a sore spot for this group so far in 2023, with their full-backs often getting caught too high up the field, leading to numerical advantages against them.
Team News
© Reuters
Gremio could be without Pedro Geromel because of a sore knee, Jhonata Robert is unlikely to feature due to an ACL strain, Diego Souza has a meniscus issue, Rodrigo Ferreira is recovering from tightness in his muscles and Pepe will be sidelined with a thigh injury.
Mathias Villasanti had the only goal in their Copa do Brasil tie versus Cruzeiro, winning 1-0 as Gabriel Grando stopped seven shots for the clean sheet and Gremio advanced into the quarter-finals, 2-1 on aggregate.
Cuiabano and Bruno Uvini each scored in their previous domestic victory over El Paranaense, while Villasanti, Bitello and Luis Suarez all found the back of the net in their last home fixture, which they won 3-1 over Internacional.
Sao Paulo are missing Joao Moreira with a sore knee, Nahuel Ferraresi and Giuliano Galoppo will be sidelined for the foreseeable future because of ACL injuries, while Igor Vinicius is dealing with a groin strain.
Talles Costa hurt his meniscus a while back, Welington is recovering from an ankle sprain, Andre Anderson pulled his groin, Erison has a problem in his thigh, Jandrei hurt his hand and Rodrigo Nestor is a few weeks away from returning from a muscle injury.
Pablo Maia and David found the back of the net in their come-from-behind victory over Goias, while Michel Araujo had the only strike for them when Sao Paulo drew Corinthians 1-1 in their previous league contest away from home.
Gremio possible starting lineup:
Adriel; Martins, Alves, Uvini; Fabio, Villasanti, Silva, Reinaldo; Galdino; Cuiabano; Vina
Sao Paulo possible starting lineup:
Rafael; Rafinha, Franco, Beraldo, Paulista; Maia, Neves; Araujo, Luciano, Rato; Calleri
We say: Gremio 1-1 Sao Paulo
We are only on matchday nine of the new Brasileiro Serie A campaign, and already these sides look like they will be in the thick of the title race.
That being said, Sao Paulo have done well to fight their way back and stay in their away matches, and we believe they will do the same in this one.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
Top tip
Joel Lefevre
