Preview:Internacional vs Vasco da Gama - prediction, team news, lineups

Internacional will welcome Vasco da Gama to Estadio Jose Pinheiro Borda this weekend in the Brasileiro Serie A, as they aim to extend their winning run and remain strong in the top half of the table.

Colorado have won three straight league matches, helping them move further away from the relegation zone as the season approaches its halfway mark.

Match preview

July has brought much-needed relief for Internacional, who have turned things around after a six-game winless run in the league, and are now finding form at the right time.

Their most recent victory was a 2-1 result against Santos, which followed narrow 1-0 wins over Vitoria and Ceara, and Roger Machado’s team have now collected 20 points from 15 matches, sitting six points above the drop zone.

Thursday’s win was Internacional’s first away victory in this season’s league campaign, but their performances at home have been the real highlight, with four of their five league wins having come at Estadio Jose Pinheiro Borda, including back-to-back clean sheets in their last two home fixtures.

With five wins in their last six meetings with Vasco da Gama, Internacional will be confident of keeping the good run going in front of their fans.

Vasco, on the other hand, continue to struggle, as the team sits in 16th place with 14 points and only stay out of the relegation zone thanks to a slightly better goal difference than Santos.

Fernando Diniz’s side are without a win in their last four matches in all competitions, drawing 1-1 with Independiente del Valle in the Sudamericana, which followed that with another 1-1 draw against Gremio in the league.

In Serie A, Vasco have lost one and drawn one in their last two games, and the run started with a 2-0 loss to Botafogo, leaving them with just four wins in 14 league games.

Their away form has been poor, losing five of their six matches on the road, though the only exception was a surprise win over Sao Paulo in their most recent league away game.

Internacional Brasileiro form:

Internacional form (all competitions):

Vasco da Gama Brasileiro form:

Vasco da Gama form (all competitions):

Team News

Internacional will be without several key players for this fixture, with defender Vitao suspended after picking up too many yellow cards, while Bruno Gomes and Fernando are both recovering from serious knee injuries and are not expected back until early October.

Lucca Pelosi Drummond, Oscar Romero, Ricardo Mathias, and Vitinho are all sidelined with various injuries and should remain out until early August, while Ronaldo is also dealing with a knee problem and is targeting a return by mid-August.

Vasco will be without Joao Victor, who will miss the match due to suspension from accumulated yellow cards.

Adson is sidelined with a broken leg and is not expected to return until late October, while Gabriel Souza da Silva is dealing with a thigh injury and should be back around mid-August.

Philippe Coutinho is also unavailable as he recovers from a calf injury, with a return likely in early August.

Internacional possible starting lineup:

Rochet; Bernabei, Gabriel, Clayton, Aguirre; Maia, Henrique; Carbonero, Patrick, Wesley; Borre

Vasco da Gama possible starting lineup:

Jardim; Paulo, Victor, Freitas, Piton; Tche, Moura; Rayan, Moreira, David; Vegetti

We say: Internacional 2-0 Vasco da Gama

Internacional are in great form and strong at home, while Vasco have struggled away and lack confidence, making the home side the clear favourites here.

The hosts have also had solid defence and home momentum in recent weeks, while the visitors have struggled to keep things tight at the back.

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