Saturday's Brasileiro predictions including Palmeiras vs. Cruzeiro

Flamengo vs. Criciuma (Saturday, 8.00pm)

Flamengo head into gameweek 18 in the Brasileiro keen to arrest an ongoing wobble when they host Criciuma at Arena BRB Mane Garrincha on Saturday.

Third-placed Mengao are winless in two games, seeing them trail league-leading Botafogo, but they aim to notch maximum points against an opponent that have claimed one point from the last available nine.

We say: Flamengo 2-1 Criciuma

It is hard to see beyond a return to winning ways for Flamengo on Saturday, with Tite's men well-rested after their midweek match against Internacional was postponed.

Even though they may not keep a clean sheet, the ambition to challenge for the league title allied with Criciuma's ongoing away blues should see the hosts snap their two-match winless sequence in front of their fans.

Botafogo vs. Internacional (Saturday, 10.30pm)

Table-topping Botafogo seek a fourth straight triumph at Estadio Nilton Santos when they host off-form Internacional in round 18's Brasileiro clash on Saturday.

Artur Jorge's men secured an important victory over defending champions Palmeiras on Wednesday, opening a three-point lead atop the standings, and they seek a fifth straight league win this weekend to consolidate after that triumph.

We say: Botafogo 2-0 Internacional

Botafogo are clear favourites to notch another league victory, and they should secure a routine win over a struggling Internacional.

The title challengers have kept three straight clean sheets in the league and a fourth could be in the offing on Saturday as they extend the away side's winless sequence in all competitions to eight.

Palmeiras vs. Cruzeiro (Sunday, 1.00am)

Second-place Palmeiras return to Brasileiro action against Cruzeiro at Allianz Parque on Saturday after losing a top-of-the-table tussle at Botafogo on Wednesday.

Verdao slipped three points behind Fogo after the 1-0 loss, and they aim to avoid that gap extending when they face their sixth-placed opponents in this weekend's gameweek 18 action.

We say: Palmeiras 2-0 Cruzeiro

Palmeiras may have failed to win any of their opening three home fixtures this term, but they are on a roll in front of their supporters, notching six consecutive victories and keeping clean sheets in 50% of that run.

That sequence should become seven against one of the division's underwhelming travellers.