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

Sao Paulo will play host to America Mineiro on Sunday in an important contest with just one point separating them in the top half of the Campeonato Brasileiro Serie A table.

An eight-game unbeaten run has seen the hosts climb to sixth, leapfrogging their opponents who have dropped to ninth spot after a recent defeat.

Match preview

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Sao Paulo have enjoyed a relatively strong start to the Brazilian top-flight campaign and find themselves in a run of eight games without a loss since their sole defeat in the second round of fixtures.

In the time since, Rogerio Ceni's side have amassed 12 points courtesy of wins over Santos and Cuiaba and six draws, four of which have come consecutively heading into this weekend.

After sharing points with Corinthians and Ceara, the Bicharada headed into back-to-back meetings with newly-promoted sides Avai and Coritiba, and they took 1-0 leads on both occasions.

They were unable to get over the line in either, though, with Alef Manga forcing a share of the spoils in the most recent meeting with the latter after Jonathan Calleri had given Sao Paulo an early lead.

While Ceni's men will be relatively pleased with their unbeaten run and resultant climb to sixth spot, the league remains particularly tight, with their ninth-placed opponents just a point behind, and they will be keen to make a return to winning ways on Sunday to ensure they do not drop back down into the middle of the table.

Their visitors, meanwhile, will look to bounce back from a defeat and jump back over the hosts at the weekend.

America Mineiro made a pleasing start to the campaign, but a defeat and two draws left them on 11 points from the opening eight matches in the Brazilian top flight.

The Coelho then made an important return to winning ways, beating Cuiaba 2-1 on home turf thanks to goals from Ale and Felipe Azevedo either side of half time.

Vagner Mancini's men were unable to build on that triumph last time out, though, as they fell short at home to Ceara, with a brace from Stiven Mendoza condemning them to a 2-0 defeat.

Given how tight the division remains at this early stage of the term, that loss saw America Mineiro quickly drop to ninth spot, and, with their hosts just a point ahead and their lead over 15th place at just two points, the Coelho will be keen to ensure they move in the right direction with a return to form at the weekend.

Team News

Sao Paulo are without midfielder Igor Gomes due to a suspension, while Robert Arboleda is away on international duty with Ecuador.

Nikao is another notable absence, as the attacking talent is sidelined by an injury.

It is Jonathan Calleri who has stood out going forward so far this season, though, with the Argentinian striker netting nine goals in just 10 league appearances.

America Mineiro will be missing key man Felipe Azevedo through a suspension, while Juan Ramirez and Paulinho Boia will continue spells in the treatment room.

Aloisio's place at the top end of the pitch could be under threat, given the side's recent struggle for goals, with the likes of Henrique Almeida and Wellington Paulista pushing to come into the starting XI up front.

Sao Paulo possible starting lineup:

Jandrei; Miranda, Leo, Costa; Rafinha, Nestor, Luan, Reinaldo; Luciano, Calleri, Patrick

America Mineiro possible starting lineup:

Jailson; Patric, Conti, Ferreira, Marlon; Ale, Kal, Valoura; Everaldo, Paulista, Gustavinho

We say: Sao Paulo 2-1 America Mineiro

While Sao Paulo have been unable to see out victories in recent weeks, they come into the game with a strong unbeaten run to build on, and we see them retuning to winning ways with home advantage against an America Mineiro side far from their best form.

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