Afghanistan
Angola
Argentina
Asia (AFC)
Asian Games
Australia
Belgium-Netherlands
Brazil
Burkina Faso
Central American & Caribbean Games
Central American Games
Congo DR
Denmark
England
Europe (UEFA)
FYR Macedonia
Finland
Germany
Greece
International Tournaments
Italy
Mediterranean Games
Mexico
National
Nepal
North & Central America (Concacaf)
Palestine
Pan American Games
Panama
Russia
Scandinavia
Serbia And Montenegro
South American Games
Spain
Syria
USA
Venezuela
World (FIFA)
Yemen
Zimbabwe

Sao Paulovs.Cuiaba

sportsmole.co.uk, 17 June 2024, 16:24
Sao Paulo and Cuiaba are separated by nine places in the Brasileiro table heading into Wednesday night's gameweek 10 match at Estadio Cicero Pompeu de Toledo.

Tricolor Paulista have failed to win in back-to-back games, but they remain undoubted favourites against a side with eight fewer points after nine games.

Match preview

Sao Paulo could be joint-top with Botafogo in the Brasileiro, but for consecutive draws that leave them four points off the first-placed club.

Luis Zubeldia's men had notched three straight wins to place them in a promising situation, but two ties with Internacional (0-0) and Corinthians (2-2) have slowed the club's momentum in recent rounds.

While Sao Paulo remain undefeated in seven league matches, the fifth-placed side aim to end their two-match winless spell on Wednesday, with success possibly taking Tricolour level on 18 points with either Flamengo or Bahia.

However, that outcome is contingent on the joint-second clubs not playing out a draw in their encounter this week, with both sides facing off on Thursday night.

Avoiding defeat extends Zubeldia's 13-match unbeaten run in all competitions to 14, and the 43-year-old's preference will be maximum points.

It remains to be seen if Cuiaba show the same conviction in the attacking third that was evident in Sunday's 5-0 hammering of Fortaleza.

While Petit had to wait a month for his first league win since replacing Luiz Fernando Iubel, the Portuguese boss has added the recent 5-0 triumph to the 5-2 victory over newly promoted Criciuma on June 9.

After initial struggles to find the back of the net under the former Portugal international, Dourado have been in top goalscoring over recent weeks, bringing about two victories in three.

Cuiaba have netted 11 times in 270 minutes of league action, an undoubted departure from the side that fired blanks in the first six Brasileiro games this term, underlining their menace against Sao Paulo.

Thus, the away fans will be confident of adding to their increasing tally on Wednesday despite their hosts keeping two clean sheets in the last three top-flight matches.

Sao Paulo Brasileiro form:

D

W

W

W

D

D

Sao Paulo form (all competitions):

D

W

W

W

D

D

Cuiaba Brasileiro form:

L

L

D

W

L

W

Cuiaba form (all competitions):

W

L

D

W

L

W

Team News

Sao Paulo's Rafael (Brazil), Nahuel Ferraresi (Venezuela) and James Rodriguez (Colombia) are away on international duty with the 2024 Copa America imminent.

Pablo Maia (thigh) and Rafinha (leg) are not expected to play any part on Wednesday, even if they are nearing returns.

Cuiaba's Gabriel Knesowitsch is touch-and-go due to illness, while Derik Lacerda's knee issue means the forward may not return for another fortnight or longer.

Lucas Fernandes may replace Denilson in midfield after the latter was forced off in the win over Fortaleza.

Isidro Pitta, Clayson (both three goals) and Ramon (two) have played pivotal parts in Petit's men ending their drought in front of goal, and they hope to be key for the away side against high-flying opponents.

Sao Paulo possible starting lineup:

Jandrei; Vinicius, Arboleda, Costa, Welington; Gustavo, Alisson; Moura, Luciano, Nestor; Calleri

Cuiaba possible starting lineup:

Walter; Alexandre, Alves, Empereur, Ramon; Mineiro, Fernandes; Cafu, Max, Clayson; Pitta

We say: Sao Paulo 1-1 Cuiaba

Previews by email

Top News

23 November 2024 talksport.com Chelsea may forcing themselves into the title race, but Troy Deeney believes a glaring issue 'is going to cost them' down the track. 23 November 2024 talksport.com A former Aston Villa captain is set to become an MLS manager this week. 23 November 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Reigning Premier League champions Manchester City have lost their fifth consecutive game in all competitions after suffering a chastening 4-0 defeat to Tottenham Hotspur at the Etihad Stadium on Saturday evening. 23 November 2024 talksport.com A 4-0 defeat to Tottenham wasn't what Pep Guardiola had in mind when it came to celebrating his new Manchester City contract. 23 November 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Senior figures at Manchester United have allegedly concluded that Joshua Zirkzee 'is not good enough', with the club having 'serious doubts' when it comes to the Netherlands international. 23 November 2024 talksport.com Pep Guardiola has made unwanted history after Manchester City fell two goals behind after 20 minutes in their 4-0 defeat to Tottenham. 23 November 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Manchester United head coach Ruben Amorim has hinted that Marcus Rashford will have an important role to play under him, with the Portuguese insisting that the attacker can play in all three positions in the final third of the field. 23 November 2024 talksport.com Manchester City's clash with Tottenham kicked off late after Rodri's Ballon d'Or presentation. 23 November 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Fenerbahce head coach Jose Mourinho has reportedly made contact with legendary forward Cristiano Ronaldo to discuss a possible move for the Al-Nassr star next year. 23 November 2024 talksport.com A frustrated Leicester City boss Steve Cooper confirmed he will write to the PGMOL after his side's 2-1 loss to Chelsea. 23 November 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Real Madrid will be bidding to make it successive victories in La Liga when they continue their 2024-25 campaign with a clash against newly-promoted Leganes on Sunday night. 23 November 2024 talksport.com Ethan Nwaneri became Arsenal's second youngest goalscorer in the Premier League in a dominant 3-0 victory over Nottingham Forest. 23 November 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Joao Pedro was the star of the show as ten-man Brighton & Hove Albion recorded a 2-1 victory over Bournemouth in Saturday's Premier League contest at the Vitality Stadium. 23 November 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Aston Villa twice came from behind to draw 2-2 with Crystal Palace in Saturday afternoon's pulsating Premier League contest at Villa Park. 23 November 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Arsenal snapped their four-game Premier League winless streak in Mikel Arteta's 250th match in charge of the club as they earned a comfortable 3-0 victory over Nottingham Forest at the Emirates. 23 November 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Brentford picked up their first Premier League away point of the season at the sixth attempt as the 10-man Bees held a wasteful Everton to a 0-0 draw at Goodison Park. 23 November 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Chelsea head coach Enzo Maresca has explained how he wants Enzo Fernandez to adapt his game to fit seamlessly into his preferred system. 23 November 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola has made a total of three changes to his starting lineup for this evening's Premier League clash with Tottenham Hotspur at the Etihad Stadium. 23 November 2024 talksport.com Portsmouth's trip to Blackburn was postponed less than four hours before kick-off on Saturday. 23 November 2024 talksport.com Sheffield United's Anel Ahmedhodzic was sent off after grabbing the throat of Coventry City forward Norman Bassette. 23 November 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Barcelona are reportedly interested in signing Ajax defender Devyne Rensch next summer, with the Netherlands international potentially being available on a free transfer. 23 November 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Barcelona star Lamine Yamal has reportedly agreed to sign a new long-term deal when he turns 18 next year. 23 November 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Real Madrid head coach Carlo Ancelotti has said that the club will not make any firm plans when it comes to the January transfer window until after their clash with Sevilla on December 22. 23 November 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Enzo Fernandez marked his return to the starting XI with a goal and an assist as Chelsea ran out deserved 2-1 winners over Leicester City in Saturday lunchtime's Premier League kickoff at the King Power Stadium. 23 November 2024 talksport.com Mikel Arteta left Arsenal fans confused with a much-changed starting XI to face Nottingham Forest. 23 November 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Sunderland boss Regis Le Bris has insisted Chris Rigg and Jobe Bellingham are best served to stay put for the time being despite being linked with moves away from the club. 23 November 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Manchester United head coach Ruben Amorim has lavished praise on Mason Mount and suggested that the Englishman will be an important player for him at Old Trafford. 23 November 2024 sportsmole.co.uk St Mary's is the venue for Sunday's meeting between the Premier League's leaders and basement boys, as Liverpool take on 20th-placed Southampton in a 2pm kickoff. 23 November 2024 talksport.com Philippe Senderos played against countless Premier League legends, but one stands out as the toughest. 23 November 2024 talksport.com Philippe Senderos played against countless Premier League legends, but one stands out as the toughest.