Preview: Santos vs Remo - prediction, team news, lineups

Four matches without a win in the Serie A and still searching for a first victory under Cuca, Santos host Remo on Thursday evening at the Estadio Urbano Caldeira in Vila Belmiro in Matchday nine of the 2026 Campeonato Brasileiro.

Santos will be buoyed in front of their home fans as they chase a second win of the season, while Remo arrive with renewed confidence after securing their first victory of the campaign last time out.

Match preview

Eliminated in the quarter-finals of the Campeonato Paulista, Santos' start to the season has been marked by frustration and instability.

The club have failed to meet expectations, and pressure has quickly mounted both behind the scenes and in the stands.

The run of poor results culminated in the departure of Juan Pablo Vojvoda, who could not survive the below-par performances. In his place, the board opted for the return of Cuca, a familiar face at the club, with a clear brief to reorganise the squad and get more out of a group that possesses quality but has yet to deliver on it.

In the Brasileirao, the picture is concerning as Santos sit in 16th place with seven points from eight matches - just one more than the first team inside the relegation zone.

The campaign so far has been modest, with only one victory, 10 goals scored, and 13 conceded, reflecting difficulties at both ends of the pitch.

A lack of consistency has been the main obstacle for the side in the opening phase of the competition, and even with players capable of making a difference, the collective performance has fallen short, increasing the urgency for immediate adjustments on the pitch.

The pressure for results grows with each round, particularly with the spectre of relegation once again haunting the club following last season.

Playing at Vila Belmiro, Santos see the backing of their supporters and the change in management as an opportunity to react and begin a recovery in the league.

The record between the two sides is overwhelmingly in Santos' favour - their most recent meeting came in the 2010 Copa do Brasil, when Santos won 4-0 away from home.

In total, there have been seven matches between the clubs, with six victories for Santos and one draw.

In addition, Santos boast a 100% winning record as the home side against Remo - a factor that reinforces their status as favourites but also intensifies the pressure for a positive result in front of their own supporters.

© Iconsport / SUSA

Remo, for their part, are also enduring a turbulent start to the season, surrounded by uncertainty.

The Para-based side struggled in the Campeonato Paraense, finishing as runners-up, while also dealing with internal problems that directly affected performances on the pitch.

The instability led to the departure of Juan Carlos Osorio, who could not withstand the poor results and the friction with the squad.

In an attempt to change the team's direction, the club appointed Leo Conde, who led Vitoria to the 2023 Série B title, but the initial impact has fallen well short of expectations.

Since the new manager's arrival, Remo have managed just one win in six matches across the Brasileirao and Copa Verde, which reinforces concerns about the side's performance on their return to Brazilian football's top flight.

Remo occupy second-bottom place with six points from eight matches, and only one victory to their name in the league with10 goals scored but also leaking at the back, possessing the third-worst defence in the competition with 15 goals conceded.

Given that context, the fight against relegation is already shaping up to be the club's primary objective this season.

Picking up points on the road, especially in direct encounters, is essential to keep alive any hope of survival and to try to change the course of a worrying start to the campaign.

Santos Brasileiro form:

Santos form (all competitions):

Remo Brasileiro form:

Remo form (all competitions):

Team News

© Imago / justpictures.ch

Santos will have to cope with significant absences for Thursday's clash. At left-back, Vini Lira is ruled out with an ankle problem, while in attack, Gabriel Barbosa also misses out due to a muscular injury.

In light of these setbacks, Cuca is expected to make targeted changes to the starting eleven.

In defence, Lucas Verissimo, who impressed on his return, is likely to continue alongside Luan Peres while Gonzalo Escobar is set to take the left-back berth.

In midfield, Ze Rafael remains a doubt and may not be fit to play, but Gabriel Menino could form the midfield pivot alongside recent signing Christian Oliva.

In attack, Rony appears to be the leading candidate to replace Gabriel Barbosa. while Neymar, who was rested in the last match, returns and is confirmed in the starting lineup.

Remo also arrive with absentees, particularly in the attacking department. Joao Lucas, who is unlikely to feature again this season, remains sidelined, along with forwards Diogo Hernandez and Eduardo Melo, both unavailable for the match. 

Despite the missing players, the expectation is that the core of the side that thrashed Bahia in the previous round at the Mangueirao will be retained.

Patrick de Paula returns and should be an option on the bench, adding depth in midfield.

In attack, Gabriel Taliari, who is in fine form with three goals in three matches for the club, is expected to lead the line once again as the team's main attacking threat in their bid for another positive result.

Santos possible starting lineup:

Brazao; Vinicius, Verissimo, Peres, Escobar; Menino, Oliva; Barreal, Neymar, Moises; Rony

Remo possible starting lineup:

Rangel; Marcelinho, Marllon, Almeida, Tchamba; Ze Ricardo, Patrick; Pikachu, Bueno, Manga; Taliari

We say: Santos 3-1 Remo

Even with significant absences, the return of key players and the strength of Vila Belmiro place the hosts in a favourable position to take control of the match and pursue a result that is vital in the battle to move away from the lower reaches of the table.

The scenario points to a match dominated by Santos, with chances created primarily through the individual quality of their attacking players. Although Remo may offer resistance at times, the expectation is that the home side will enjoy the upper hand across the 90 minutes.

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