Saturday's Brasileiro predictions including Botafogo vs. Fortaleza

Coritiba vs. Santos (Saturday, 8.00pm)

Seeking to move off the foot of the Brasileiro table, Coritiba play host to Santos at the Estadio Couto Pereira on Saturday.

While the hosts are searching for their first win in any competition since February, the visitors are looking to end their seven-game streak without a victory.

We say: Coritiba 1-2 Santos

Coritiba can ill-afford to drop too many more points if they wish to avoid becoming the whipping boys of the Brasileiro, and will view Saturday's fixture against a fellow out-of-sorts side in Santos as a good opportunity to open their account for the season.

However, Hellmann will be keen to see a response from his Santos squad following their early Copa Sudamericana exit and we can see the visitors claiming a slender victory in a closely-fought contest.

Corinthians vs. Cuiaba (Saturday, 10.30pm)

Two Brasileiro teams languishing in the bottom half of the table do battle at the Neo Quimica Arena on Saturday as Corinthians play host to Cuiaba.

While the hosts are seeking to avoid a third successive defeat in all competitions, the visitors are hoping to win their third consecutive match on the road.

We say: Corinthians 1-1 Cuiaba

Cuiaba will fancy their chances of beating an out-of-sorts Corinthians outfit considering their upturn in form, particularly away from home.

However, the hosts will welcome a return to the Neo Quimica Arena where they are unbeaten in each of their last four games, and we can see the spoils being shared in a low-scoring affair on Saturday.

Atletico Mineiro vs. Bragantino (Saturday, 10.30pm)

Atletico Mineiro welcome Bragantino to the Mineirao for a Brazilian Serie A clash on Saturday night.

The 2021 double winners fell below that level last season but look set to embark on another title challenge this year ahead of the opening of their new stadium in a few weeks' time.

We say: Atletico Mineiro 2-2 Bragantino

Mineiro's form has picked up drastically since the start of the campaign, and they will come into the game as favourites, mainly due to the excellent form of Hulk.

Bragantino are a tough opponent though as only Cruzeiro and Fluminense have beaten them this season, and they could maintain their unbeaten run here.

Bahia vs. Cruzeiro (Saturday, 10.30pm)

Bahia will be looking to end a five-game winless run in the Campeonato Brasileiro Serie A when they welcome Cruzeiro to the Itaipava Arena Fonte Nova on Saturday night.

Despite leading the hosts by five points in the standings, the visitors will also be eager to return to winning ways following a run of three league encounters without a victory.

We say: Bahia 1-1 Cruzeiro

Given that both sides head into Saturday's showdown in poor form, we can see Bahia and Cruzeiro playing out a low-scoring stalemate at the Itaipava Arena Fonte Nova.

Both Bahia and Cruzeiro's past five matches have produced fewer than three goals, while the hosts have drawn four of their previous five, so all the signs point towards another tight contest.

Botafogo vs. Fortaleza (Sunday, 1.00am)

Brazilian top-flight leaders Botafogo welcome Fortaleza to Rio de Janeiro for a league clash on Saturday night.

Despite sitting at the summit of the standings, Botafogo's form has faltered in the past couple of weeks.

We say: Botafogo 1-1 Fortaleza

Botafogo's shaky run may continue despite their home advantage here, which could see them surrender top spot.

They did complete a league double over Fortaleza last season, but the visitors have been tough to beat for much of the season.