Sports Mole previews Friday’s Brazilian clash between Palmeiras and Bragantino, including predictions, team news and possible lineups.
Palmeiras And Bragantino will face each other on Thursday evening in the Brazilian elite with only two points separating the teams in the standings.
While the home side are fifth and close to the leaders, the visitors return to seventh after an inconsistent run of form.
Match Preview
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After winning two league titles in a row, Palmeiras would have expected things to be more his way at the start of the campaign.
However, he needed three successive victories to Abel Ferreiraon his side simply to stay close to the leaders in a crowded field.
Success came against Criciuma, Vasco da Gama and Atletico Mineiro, with Palmeiras scoring eight goals and conceding just once.
In all competitions, only one goal has been scored in five matches, while the Big Green have suffered only two defeats in their last 18 outings.
With rumors of other high-profile transfers being made behind the scenes, there is the potential for a distraction or two over the coming weeks, but Ferreira will back his team to remain focused on ensuring the deficit compared to the leader Botafogo does not extend to more than two. points.
As for Bragantino, they began to wilt after a much stronger start to the campaign where they played their first five league matches without suffering a defeat.
Nine points were collected from these matches, but two defeats were recorded in the last four, against Bahia and Atletico Mineiro.
Pedro CaixinhaThe Italian team responded last time out with a hard-earned 2-1 victory over Juventude, defying a 12th-minute red card before scoring a decisive late goal.
Bragantino is yet to score more than twice in a league match this season, but having conceded just nine times in as many matches, the foundations remain laid for another positive campaign.
Palmeiras Brasileiro form:
Palmeiras form (all competitions):
Bragantino Brasileiro form:
Bragantino form (all competitions):
Team News
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Although reports have emerged that Willian Estevao underwent a medical ahead of a 2025 move to Chelsea, the 17-year-old started against Atletico Mineiro on Monday night.
There may be an element of team rotation thanks to the short turnaround time, with Mayke, Gabriel Menino And Jose Lopez all in the running.
Richard Rios And Gustavo Gomez are at the Copa America with their respective nations and will play no role in this competition.
Bragantino will have to make do without Jadsom after his early dismissal against Juventude, but Nathan Mendes is free to return from his own ban.
Juninho Capixaba should be on the left rear with Luan Candido also serving a one-match suspension.
The visitors had a longer rest period before this match, making it plausible that the same team could be selected outside of the forced changes.
Possible Palmeiras starting lineup:
Weverton; Rocha, Naves, Murillo, Piquerez; Raphael, Moreno; Estevao, Veiga, Lázaro; Rony
Bragantino possible starting composition:
Cleiton; Mendes, Henrique, Santos, Capixaba; Gustavinho, Fernandes, Evangelista; Helinho, Borbas, Mosque
We say: Palmeiras 2-0 Bragantino
Bragantino will hope he can take advantage of Palmeiras potentially being distracted by another major sale held at a later date, but we can only see one team winning this competition. Steam appears to be building and another win and clean sheet could be on display here.
For data analysis of most likely outcomes, scores and more for this match, please click here.
