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

The visitors have put a shaky start to the league campaign behind them in recent weeks, whilst the hosts picked up a vital first win last time out.

Match preview

After narrowly avoiding relegation out of the Brasileiro last year, Juventude have continued from where they left off at the beginning of the 2022 campaign.

A winless opening five games had Eduardo Baptista's side staring down the barrel of a hugely difficult task ahead, but hope was lifted when they travelled to Avai last weekend.

Despite having their backs to the wall for much of the encounter, Juventude battled hard and finished their chances clinically to come away with a 2-1 victory at the Estadio da Ressacada.

Oscar Ruiz had given his side the lead midway through the first half, but despite being pegged back just two minutes later, as well as Chico receiving a straight red card just after the hour mark, Vitor Mendes scored the match-winning goal in a defensively stubborn second-half display.

Paulinho Moccelin also saw red late on as Juventude closed out the final few minutes with nine men, but Saturday's hosts will be hoping to use their campaign's first win as a boost to their chances against Palmeiras.

Unlike their visitors, having a midweek without cup football could prove to be a turning point as well, as Baptista's men go in search of the club's first ever Brasileiro win against the giants.

Meanwhile, a narrow 1-0 victory over Emelec on Wednesday evening saw Palmeiras extend their unbeaten run to 11 games across all competitions.

The win also saw Abel Ferreira's side increase their advantage at the top of their group in the Copa Libertadores, following five straight victories in the cup.

Palmeiras return to Brasileiro action on Saturday however, where their form has not been quite so perfect, with just two wins from their opening six fixtures in the league so far.

A shock 3-2 defeat at home to Ceara on the opening weekend is the only defeat however, but frustrating draws with Goias, Flamengo and Fluminense leave Verdao in ninth place ahead of Saturday's trip to the struggling Juventude.

The Brasileiro campaign remains in its early stages however, so Ferreira's men have plenty of time to recover from an average opening to the season to climb back to the top spots in the coming weeks, and they will be expected to do so against their lowly opponents at the weekend.

Juventude Brasileiro form:

Juventude form (all competitions):

Palmeiras Brasileiro form:

Palmeiras form (all competitions):

Team News

A midweek without cup action means Juventude head into Saturday's encounter in a much fresher state than their visitors, although they do have to contend with several absentees.

Chico and Moccelin will miss out through suspension following last weekend's red cards, whilst Marlon is ruled out due to a muscle injury.

Capixaba, Edinho, Moraes and Elton are all further injury doubts, with none of the quartet expected to return against Palmeiras.

As for the visitors, captain Gustavo Gomez misses out through a one-match suspension due to an accumulation of yellow cards, with Benjamin Kuscevic set to partner Murilo at the heart of the defence instead.

Jailson remains out for the season due to a serious knee injury, and he is joined on the sidelines by Luan, Gabriel Veron and Joaquin Piquerez.

Six changes were made for the cup tie in midweek, so Ferreira is likely to make several once again at the weekend as he returns closer to his preferred starting 11.

Juventude possible starting lineup:

Cesar; Soares, Mendes, Miranda, Busanello; Jadson, Yuri, Darlan; Parede, Pitta, Ruiz

Palmeiras possible starting lineup:

Weverton; Rocha, Kuscevic, Murilo, Jorge; Danilo, Ze Rafael; Dudu, Veiga, Scarpa; Rony

We say: Juventude 0-2 Palmeiras

Despite not hitting top gear in the Brasileiro so far this season, Palmeiras should be expected to stroll to a relatively comfortable win on Saturday.

Juventude may well have picked up their first win last weekend, but they will not be expected to compete with the quality of their visitors here, particularly with a number of absentees to contend with.

Previews by email