Sunday's Brasileiro predictions including Santos vs. Palmeiras

Santos vs. Palmeiras (Sunday, 8.00pm)

Reigning Copa Libertadores champions Palmeiras will welcome fellow Brazilian giants Santos on Sunday evening looking to maintain their place in the Serie A top two.

Losers just once so far this season, Palmeiras have begun the campaign in strong form, whereas opponents Santos have endured an indifferent start to the season.

We say: Santos 2-2 Palmeiras

A mouth-watering clash early on in the Serie A campaign, Santos will be keen to fall back on their home record when Palmeiras visit this weekend.

While they have been shaky on the road so far, do not expect title-hopefuls Palmeiras to roll over on Sunday.

Coritiba vs. Botafogo (Sunday, 8.00pm)

Surprise high-flyers Botafogo will travel to mid-table Coritiba on Sunday hoping to continue their impressive start to the Brazilian Serie A season.

Sitting inside the Copa Libertadores positions, Botafogo will be keen to maintain their lofty position in the table, with opponents Coritiba also targeting a continental position.

We say: Coritiba 1-2 Botafogo

Botafogo have impressed so far this season and they will be hoping to continue their form when they travel to Coritiba on Sunday.

The hosts have also caught the eye so far, but it is unlikely that they will manage to take any points off the Libertadores chasing Botafogo.

Fluminense vs. Flamengo (Sunday, 10.00pm)

Flamengo can leapfrog seventh-placed Fluminense on Sunday, when the Rio de Janeiro rivals meet at the Estadio Municipal General Raulino de Oli, in gameweek eight of the Brasileiro.

Both sides enter this fixture having scored seven and conceded six goals, but Fluminense have managed to pick up two more points than their visitors, with Flamengo currently sitting 14th in the league.

We say: Fluminense 2-1 Flamengo

Fluminense are slight favourites for this clash given that they are on home soil, but it is expected to be a closely-fought affair between two rivals from Rio de Janeiro.

Both teams have scored and conceded the same amount this season, which is another indicator for a tight match, but despite less rest ahead of this outing, Fluminense should be able to edge past their visitors.

Corinthians vs. America Mineiro (Sunday, 10.00pm)

Corinthians will be looking to extend their lead at the top of the Brasileiro when they welcome America Mineiro to the Neo Quimica Arena on Sunday.

The hosts were last in action when they slipped up at home to Bolivian minnows Always Ready on Thursday evening, whilst the visitors were comprehensively beaten in Ecuador to round off a disappointing Copa Libertadores campaign.

We say: Corinthians 2-0 America Mineiro

Based on recent meetings, very few goals are to be expected at the Neo Quimica Arena on Sunday, with only seven being scored in the last six encounters between the two sides.

Corinthians may have struggled in their recent outings against Mineiro, but they should be able to seal a relatively comfortable three points here based on their positive start to the campaign and their lack of travelling in midweek, unlike their visitors.

Cuiaba vs. Athletico PR (Sunday, 10.00pm)

After differing fortunes in the cup competitions in midweek, Cuiaba and Athletico Paranaense return to Brasileiro action when they go head to head at the Arena Pantanal on Sunday.

The hosts were beaten by late goals in their Copa Sudamericana defeat, whilst the visitors confirmed their progression to the next stage of the Copa Libertadores thanks to a thumping victory.

We say: Cuiaba 1-2 Athletico Paranaense

Despite the visitors having no opportunity to rest their preferred starters in midweek, unlike their hosts, we can see them coming away with all three points on Sunday owing to their excellent form under Scolari.

The experienced manager has his team firing on all cylinders at present, and he should be able to oversee his players take advantage of of a Cuiaba side lacking in form and confidence heading into this encounter.

Atletico Mineiro vs. Avai (Sunday, 11.00pm)

Atletico Mineiro return to Brasileiro action this Sunday after three consecutive cup matches, looking to continue their good start to the domestic campaign, currently sitting fourth after seven matches.

Avai travel to the Estadio Raimundo Sampaio this weekend, aiming to bounce back after consecutive defeats, which has left them occupying 10th spot in the league.

We say: Atletico Mineiro 2-0 Avai

Mineiro have been in strong form in the league so far, and Avai have not been so effective away from home, making Sunday's hosts strong favourites for this one.

Having lost their last two matches, Avai may be starting a poor run of form in the top flight after just achieving promotion, and coming up against the reigning champions seems like an unwinnable task.