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

Palmeiras host Vasco da Gama at Nubank Parque on Sunday as round 24 of the 2026 Brasileiro brings a top-versus-bottom clash.

The league leaders, on 48 points, face the second-bottom side, on 22. Both clubs enjoyed midweek continental success: Palmeiras progressed to the Copa Libertadores quarter-finals by beating Cerro Porteno, while Vasco thrashed Olimpia 4-1 in Paraguay to reach the Sudamericana quarter-finals.

Match preview

Palmeiras booked their Libertadores quarter-final spot with a 1-0 win over Cerro Porteno in Asuncion, following a 1-1 first-leg draw in Sao Paulo.

Now set to face LDU de Quito in the next round, Abel Ferreira's side refocus on league matters. Palmeiras top the table with 48 points (14W, 6D, 3L), three clear of Flamengo.

Their last league defeat, a 3-2 reverse at Fluminense, did not cost them top spot, but it reminded them margins are slim. Palmeiras have won just one of their last three league games, and any slip-up could allow Flamengo to close the gap. At Nubank Parque, though, they're strong: seven wins, three draws, and one defeat in 11 home matches (24 points from a possible 33).

A rock-solid defence underpins Palmeiras' campaign: just 19 goals conceded in 23 matches (0.83 per game), the best record in Serie A. At home, they have allowed just seven in 11. For Vasco, who average 1.05 goals per game, unlocking this defence will be a major challenge.

History favours Palmeiras: they have won 11, drawn four, and lost just twice in the last 17 league meetings. Vasco finally ended a decade-long drought with a 2-1 win at Sao Januario in March, their first victory over Palmeiras since 2015.

Vasco arrive in good spirits after their 4-1 away win over Olimpia secured Sudamericana quarter-final qualification, capping celebrations for the club's 128th anniversary. Yet, continental joy cannot hide their domestic struggles.

Pedro Emanuel's men are 19th, with 22 points from 22 games (5W, 7D, 10L). A 3-0 home defeat to Santos in the last round underlined their fragility: just one win in their last five home matches, and an 11-goal deficit (23 scored, 34 conceded), third-worst in Serie A.

Vasco's most worrying stat is their away form: zero wins in ten away league games (0W, 5D, 5L), with just 5 points collected - the worst away record in the competition.

Against a Palmeiras side with the best defence and best home record, this is about as tough a scenario as it gets.

Palmeiras Brasileiro form:

Palmeiras form (all competitions):

Vasco da Gama Brasileiro form:

Vasco da Gama form (all competitions):

Team News

Khellven is a doubt with a thigh injury, while Ramon Sosa, Palmeiras' third-highest scorer with four goals, is also sidelined. Jefte and Paulinho remain out.

Allan remains available to Abel Ferreira despite interest from Manchester City, who view him as a potential Savinho replacement. Palmeiras consider Allan untouchable and have no plans to sell this window.

Allan, 22, has six goals and five assists in 41 appearances this season. Under contract until 2029 with a €100 million release clause, he's an undisputed starter and leads Serie A in successful dribbles (33 in 20 matches).

Vasco's injury list is also a worry: Johan Rojas is sidelined with a thigh injury, and Brenner is out with a toe problem until at least September.

Midfielders Jair and Mateus Carvalho also remain unavailable.

Palmeiras possible starting lineup:

Miguel; Barboza, Gomez, Murilo; Piquerez, Freitas, Andreas, Allan; Mauricio, Arias; Lopez

Vasco da Gama possible starting lineup:

Jardim; Henrique, Cuesta, Renan, Cuiabano; Mendes, Sosa; Gomez, Tche Tche, Colidio; Spinelli

We say: Palmeiras 2-0 Vasco da Gama

Palmeiras are clear favourites at the top of the table, while Vasco are battling to escape the relegation zone. In their last 44 games, Palmeiras have a 66% win rate; Vasco have managed 15 wins in 32 (47%).

Expect Palmeiras to control the tempo, break the deadlock, and manage the game. A second-half goal could settle the contest and secure another home win.

For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.