Preview: Sao Paulo vs. Bragantino - prediction, team news, lineups

Sao Paulo will be aiming to retain their place in the Brasileiro top four when they face Bragantino on Sunday at Morumbi.

Meanwhile, a victory for the visitors would see them leapfrog the hosts in the table and potentially climb into Copa Libertadores contention.

Match preview

Sao Paulo are the hottest team in Serie A over the last three games, having secured three consecutive wins to reach fourth place with 24 points from 14 matches played.

Following a run of four winless matches, the Tricolor Paulista turned the tide with victories over Criciuma, Bahia and Athletico Paranaense within a four-day period.

Sao Paulo will be looking to make it four wins in a row against Braga on Sunday, and their home form will be a source of encouragement, having won four out of seven league matches at home soil, including the last two, while drawing one and losing two.

Level on points with fifth-placed Bahia, who have played one game fewer, manager Luis Zubeldia will be hoping his side can maintain their current form as they seek a return to the Copa Libertadores after a three-year absence.

Boasting the third-best attack in Serie A with 22 goals scored, the hosts will be banking on their attacking prowess once again on Sunday.

Bragantino have struggled for consistency this season, but they have managed to stay within touching distance of the top six, with their 22 points seeing them level with sixth-placed Athletico Paranaense, who currently occupy the second Copa Libertadores playoff spot.

Massa Bruta ended a two-game winless run with a strong performance on Thursday, recording a 3-1 victory over Atletico Goianiense.

However, Pedro Caixinha's side have been poor on their travels, with just one win in seven away matches, drawing and losing three each, while failing to win in their last three away outings.

Bragantino's main problem on the road has been conceding goals, as they have scored in every away game except one, but have only kept one clean sheet in the same number of matches.

Sao Paulo Brasileiro form:

Bragantino Brasileiro form:

Team News

Aldemir Ferreira and Jonathan Calleri are suspended for Sao Paulo after crossing the yellow cards threshold.

On the injury front, Joao Moreira and Pablo Maia are both sidelined with thigh problems, while Michel Araujo and Rafinha have knee and leg issues respectively.

Bragantino will remain without the services of defender Jose Hurtado, who is away with Ecuador in the Copa America.

Matheus Fernandes is out with a thigh injury that is not expected to keep him out for long while Nathan Camargo is sidelined with a knee injury for the next few weeks.

Sao Paulo possible starting lineup: Jandrei; Vinicius, Arboleda, Franco, Welington; Gustavo, Alisson, Moura, Rato, Neves; Ferreira

Bragantino possible starting lineup: Schwengber; Mendes, Henrique, Candido, Capixaba; Jadsom, Evangelista, Lincoln; Mosquera, Sasha, Junio

We say: Sao Paulo 1-1 Bragantino

Three out of the last six encounters between Sao Paulo and Braga have ended in draws, and we predict Sunday's clash will follow the same pattern. The home side have not been flawless at home, while the visitors have shown some resilience on the road.

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