Sunday's Brasileiro predictions including Fluminense vs. Flamengo

Cruzeiro vs. Coritiba (Sunday, 3.00pm)

Cruzeiro will be looking to climb into the top four of the Brasileiro standings when they play host to a resurgent Coritiba side at the Estadio Raimundo Sampaio on Sunday.

While the hosts have won just one of their last five home matches, the visitors have picked up maximum points away from home on just one occasion all season.

We say: Cruzeiro 2-1 Coritiba

Both teams enter Sunday's contest in buoyant mood and will view this fixture as a good opportunity to claim another three points in their quest to climb the Brasileiro table.

While Coritiba's attackers could pose a threat to Cruzeiro's backline, we believe that the hosts, who will be regarded as the favourites, will come out on top to boost their top-four hopes.

Fluminense vs. Flamengo (Sunday, 8.00pm)

Separated by just two points near the top of the Campeonato Brasileiro, Rio rivals Fluminense and Flamengo will battle it out for victory at the Maracana on Sunday.

The latest Fla-Flu derby takes place with the hosts trailing their cross-city counterparts in the Serie A standings, with both also into the last 16 of this year's Copa Libertadores.

We say: Fluminense 1-1 Flamengo

As Fluminense are unbeaten at home in this year's Brasileiro, having conceded just four times in seven games, even free-scoring Flamengo will find it tough to break down such a well-organised and motivated side. While Fla boast the league's best attack - scoring at a rate of nearly two goals per game - they may ultimately have to settle for a derby draw.

Sao Paulo vs. Santos (Sunday, 8.00pm)

After making it through to the cup semi-finals in midweek, Sao Paulo take on state rivals Santos in the Campeonato Brasileiro on Sunday.

The teams convene at Morumbi, where the hosts have won six of their seven league games so far, leaving them eighth in the Serie A standings. Paulo Turra's visitors, meanwhile, sit much closer to the drop zone.

We say: Sao Paulo 2-1 Santos

With Sao Paulo so strong at home and Santos particularly impotent when playing away, there should be only one outcome at Morumbi. Although the visitors finally managed to find their goalscoring touch last week, they will be unable to cope with a step-up in class on Sunday.

Fortaleza vs. Cuiaba (Sunday, 8.00pm)

Seeking to climb into the top four of the Brasileiro, Fortaleza play host to Cuiaba at the Estadio Castelao on Sunday.

While the hosts are yet to lose on home soil for nearly 10 months, the visitors are hoping to avoid a third successive away game without a win.

We say: Fortaleza 2-1 Cuiaba

There is little to separate these two teams at present, although Fortaleza will be regarded as slight favourites to come out on top on home soil.

Cuiaba will fancy their chances of grinding out a positive result on their travels, but we believe Fortaleza will prevail to boost their top-four hopes.

Internacional vs. Palmeiras (Sunday, 10.30pm)

Internacional can end a two-match winless slide in the Campeonato Brasileiro Serie A when they welcome Palmeiras to Estadio Beira-Rio on Sunday.

Last weekend, Colorado suffered a 2-0 defeat at Fluminense, putting them three points behind Palestra, who drew Flamengo 1-1 in their previous league fixture.

We say: Internacional 0-1 Palmeiras

Losing to Sao Paulo should leave Palestra in a foul mood this weekend, and unlike Internacional, there have been many more positive signs for Palmeiras heading into this encounter, which is why we will give them the edge.

Athletico PR vs. Bahia (Sunday, 10.30pm)

Five places separate Athletico Paranaense and Bahia in the Campeonato Brasileiro Serie A table heading into Sunday's game at Arena da Baixada.

Caretaker boss Wesley Carvalho is winless in their last two league games, while the away side seek their first victory in four games.

We say: Athletico Paranaense 2-0 Bahia

Athletico are expected to return to winning ways on their turf, defeating a Bahia side that seldom scores on their travels with a routine win.