Burkina Faso
Czech Republic
Hungary
Lithuania
Montenegro
Nigeria
United Arab Emirates

Preview: Avai vs. Palmeiras - prediction, team news, lineups

sportsmole.co.uk, 24 June 2022, 20:02
League leaders Palmeiras continue their quest for an 11th Brasileiro title, and first since 2018, as they visit mid-table Avai on Saturday, at Estadio da Ressacada.

Despite seeing a long unbeaten streak ended in the Copa do Brasil this week, the Sao Paulo giants sit top of the pile in the Serie A standings - already 11 points clear of their 11th-placed opponents.

Match preview

After a dramatic league victory over city rivals Sao Paulo on Monday, Palmeiras finally saw their impressive 19-match unbeaten run brought to a halt by the same opponents in the cup just two days later.

Verdao came away from Morumbi with a 1-0 first-leg loss in their last 16 tie, as the hosts' striker Patrick escaped the attention of both Danilo and Gustavo Gomez to score the only goal of the game - consigning Abel Ferreira's men to their first defeat since early April.

Just as on the road to last year's Copa Libertadores triumph and in this year's Paulista tournament, Palmeiras will now need to use home advantage to see off their Choque-Rei rivals for the third successive time in knockout football.

After 13 rounds in Serie A, though, they are 10 points ahead of their old foes in the table, having scored twice in the final few minutes of Monday's Brasileiro clash to stun Sao Paulo 2-1.

Boasting 15 wins and four draws during their long unbroken period of success, Ferreira's attack-minded side - who have scored at a league-high rate of nearly two goals per game - will undoubtedly be keen to bounce back immediately from their first reverse.

Not due to play the return leg of their Copa do Brasil clash until mid-July - and with a last-16 Libertadores tie against Paraguay's Cerro Porteno on the near horizon - facing promoted opposition presents the perfect chance to do so.

Avai came up short in search of a third straight win last weekend, which would have seen them climb into the top half of the tightly-packed Serie A standings, but they have still adapted to life in the Brazilian top flight admirably this term.

Beaten 2-0 by Fluminense last time out, the club from Santa Catarina state had been returning to form in recent weeks, with a 1-0 win away at fellow promoted side Botafogo being followed by an entertaining 3-2 victory over Fortaleza.

Eduardo Barroca's team find themselves still just a point outside the top six as a result, though they also remain only three clear of the drop zone.

Now, Leao da Ilha - the 'Lion of the Island' - step up in class again, as they welcome South America's most formidable force to Florianopolis.

Avai Brasileiro form:

Palmeiras Brasileiro form:

Palmeiras form (all competitions):

Team News

Following the blow of a first defeat in over three months, Palmeiras will be cheered by news that midfielder Raphael Veiga should be available for Sunday's game after recovering from a thigh injury.

As the talented playmaker returned to full training on Friday, coach Abel Ferreira will only be without long-term absentee Jailson for the trip to Santa Catarina.

Following underwhelming performances in midweek, Gustavo Scarpa, Dudu and Gabriel Veron may find their places most under pressure due to Veiga's return, but Rony should continue to lead the line up front.

Avai, meanwhile, will remain without Douglas Friedrich this weekend, as the goalkeeper continues to recover from a knee injury, while forward Jean Pyerre - on loan from relegated Gremio - is struggling with a thigh problem.

Once again, centre-forward Guilherme Bissoli - who has netted six goals in the top flight so far this season - will spearhead the hosts' attack, at the apex of a probable 4-1-4-1 formation.

Avai possible starting lineup:

Vladimir; Kevin, Bressan, Chaves, Cortez; Silva; Pottker, Raniele, Biasi, Muriqui; Bissoli

Palmeiras possible starting lineup:

Weverton; Rocha, Gomez, Cerqueira, Piquerez; Danilo, Menino; Veron, Veiga, Dudu; Rony

We say: Avai 1-2 Palmeiras

Spurred on by the bitter taste of defeat to their close rivals, Palmeiras are surely set to recover immediately, as they fulfil their third fixture in under a week - significantly, Avai's defensive record is among the worst in Serie A so far.

Previews by email
Show more

Top News

22 March 2025 sportsmole.co.uk Liverpool have reportedly received a significant boost in their efforts to sign Rayan Cherki, whom Lyon have decided to sell in the summer transfer window. 22 March 2025 sportsmole.co.uk Manchester United head coach Ruben Amorim has reportedly made a final decision on whether he plans to re-integrate Marcus Rashford into his squad this summer. 22 March 2025 talksport.com Manchester United have been told to seek wisdom from darts sensation Luke Littler over how to handle high-pressure situations. 22 March 2025 talksport.com Peter Crouch has scored his first goals for Liverpool in nearly 17 years and he made sure to celebrate accordingly. 22 March 2025 sportsmole.co.uk Liverpool's reported capacity to purchase a new striker in the summer transfer window is in excess of £100m due to their good financial health. 22 March 2025 talksport.com Newcastle United will have a special Carabao Cup trophy parade next weekend after ending 70 years of hurt. 22 March 2025 talksport.com Newcastle United will finally get their trophy-winning party in front the Toon Army. 22 March 2025 sportsmole.co.uk Manchester United are set to be active during this summer's transfer window, as the recently-appointed Ruben Amorim looks to bring in players capable of thriving in his 3-4-3 system. 22 March 2025 sportsmole.co.uk Liverpool defender Ibrahima Konate reportedly has no release clause in his current contract amidst interest from Real Madrid in his signature. 22 March 2025 sportsmole.co.uk Barcelona are facing a centre-back crisis for their La Liga match against Osasuna next week, with Inigo Martinez, Pau Cubarsi, Ronald Araujo and Andreas Christensen potentially all missing the rescheduled fixture. 22 March 2025 sportsmole.co.uk Another consolation silver medal is waiting for Arsenal at the 2024-25 Premier League finish line, as Mikel Arteta and co bemoan injuries, suspensions and fatal - yet avoidable - transfer mistakes. 22 March 2025 sportsmole.co.uk Manchester United have reportedly begun initial talks with Napoli over the possible transfer of Rasmus Hojlund to the Serie A club in the summer transfer window. 22 March 2025 sportsmole.co.uk Manchester United are expected to move for at least one central midfielder during this summer's transfer window. 22 March 2025 talksport.com Twelve years may have passed, but Franck Ribery is still not over his 2013 Ballon d'Or snub. 22 March 2025 talksport.com Chelsea are not familiar with quiet summer transfer windows and as it stands, there's no sign of bucking the trend in 2025. 22 March 2025 talksport.com Walsall boss Mat Sadler claimed the decision not to request a postponement this afternoon was 'out of' the club's hands. 22 March 2025 sportsmole.co.uk Barcelona would reportedly be willing to let Raphinha leave during this summer's transfer window if an offer of €120m (£101m) were to arrive, with Manchester United said to be keen to sign the attacker. 22 March 2025 sportsmole.co.uk Suggestions that Liverpool's season would be disappointing if they only win the Premier League title are ludicrous, Reds expert David Lynch has argued. 22 March 2025 sportsmole.co.uk Chelsea winger Noni Madueke has apparently emerged as a potential transfer target for AC Milan, who took Joao Felix off of the Blues' hands in the January transfer window. 22 March 2025 sportsmole.co.uk Tottenham Hotspur have joined the ever-growing list of clubs interested in signing Wolverhampton Wanderers midfielder Joao Gomes, according to a report. 22 March 2025 sportsmole.co.uk Liverpool goalkeeper Alisson Becker has delivered an update on his head injury after the 32-year-old was forced to withdraw from the Brazil squad earlier this week. 22 March 2025 sportsmole.co.uk Albania and Andorra, both aiming to bounce back from defeats on matchday one of the UEFA FIFA World Cup qualifiers, will face off on Monday in a matchday two clash in Group K. 22 March 2025 sportsmole.co.uk Andrey Santos has revealed that he is yet to receive any direct contact from Chelsea regarding his plans for 2025-26. 22 March 2025 sportsmole.co.uk Arsenal defender Ben White will likely be a shoo-in for the next England squad and should be considered for a start against Real Madrid in the Champions League, Gunners expert Charles Watts has claimed. 22 March 2025 sportsmole.co.uk England head coach Thomas Tuchel could make an abundance of alterations for his second game in charge of the Three Lions, which comes against Latvia on Monday evening at Wembley. 22 March 2025 sportsmole.co.uk In what is already a top-of-the-table clash in Group K of UEFA World Cup 2026 Qualifying, England and Latvia lock horns at Wembley Stadium on Monday evening. 22 March 2025 sportsmole.co.uk Nottingham Forest have reportedly retained an interest in Wolverhampton Wanderers attacker Matheus Cunha. 22 March 2025 talksport.com Nottingham Forest are plotting a club record move for Matheus Cunha if they qualify for the Champions League, talkSPORT understands. 22 March 2025 sportsmole.co.uk After scraping through their first World Cup qualifier with a late goal from their inspirational skipper, Poland host Group G minnows Malta on Monday. 22 March 2025 sportsmole.co.uk Wolverhampton Wanderers have reportedly named their asking price for Rayan Ait-Nouri, who is being linked with Manchester United, Liverpool and Tottenham Hotspur.