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

Managerless Vasco da Gama will attempt to end a 10-game winless run when they face Cuiaba at the Estadio Sao Januario on Monday.

The visitors, meanwhile, will look to bounce back from a narrow 1-0 defeat in their most recent outing against Botafogo.

Match preview

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After winning promotion from the second tier, Vasca da Gama have experienced a difficult start to their return to the Brasileiro.

Since beating Atletico Mineiro on the opening day of the season, they have picked up just three points in a 10-game winless run, leaving them in 19th position and six points adrift of Monday's opponents, who are sitting just outside the relegation zone.

In their most recent fixture against Goias, a 73rd-minute strike from Everton Morelli condemned Vasco da Gama to a 1-0 home defeat, extending their losing run to six matches.

Mauricio Barbieri was sacked following the narrow loss, with Vasco de Gama's Under-20 manager William Batista placed in charge on an interim basis.

Having drawn one and lost four of their five home league games, Monday's hosts are one of three sides that are yet to win a top-flight home game this season, but Batista will be hoping to break that duck in his first game in the dugout.

The visitors, meanwhile, enjoyed a four-game unbeaten run (W2, D2), before they welcomed Botafogo to the Arena Pantanal on Thursday.

As it proved, their encouraging spell of form was brought to an end by Botafogo, who claimed a 1-0 victory courtesy of a Tiquinho Soares penalty.

Cuiaba finished four points clear of safety last term, and they look set to be involved in another relegation battle with just one point separating them from the drop zone.

Their struggles in the final third have contributed to their lowly position, having scored just nine times in eight league games - only Coritiba have registered fewer top-flight goals this season.

However, they can be encouraged by the fact that they boast the second-best away record after collecting 10 points from their six away matches.

Team News

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The hosts are expected to be without the services of Manuel Capasso, Eguinaldo, Gabriel Dias and Riquelme due to injury issues.

After serving a one-match suspension for an accumulation of yellow cards, Robson Bambu will return to the matchday squad, but he may have to settle for a place on the bench.

Andrey Santos was loaned back to Vasco da Gama after completing a transfer to Chelsea in January, but he is set to make his final appearance for the Brazilian club before his loan deal concludes on June 30.

As for the visitors, they are unable to call upon long-term absentee Uendel, who is recovering from an anterior cruciate ligament injury.

After dropping down to the bench on Thursday, Filipe Augusto could return to the starting lineup for Monday's encounter.

Deyverson will be recalled to the side after missing the defeat to Botafogo through suspension, and he will be looking to add to his three-goal league tally for the season.

Vasco da Gama possible starting lineup:

Jardim; Rodriguez, Miranda, Leo, Piton; Carvalho, Ze Gabriel, Santos; Pec, Teixeira, Raul

Cuiaba possible starting lineup:

Walter; Alexandre, Marllon, Empereur, Rikelme; Raniele, Augusto; Cafu, Denilson, Silva; Deyverson

We say: Vasco da Gama 1-2 Cuiaba

Although Cuiaba have struggled in front of goal this season, they have tended to fare well on their travels, and we think that they will extend their unbeaten away run to four matches with a narrow victory over a Vasco da Gama side who have lost six consecutive games.

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