Since their costly spending spree, Atletico Mineiro have become one of the main candidates to fight for the Brasileiro this season.
Brazilian league leaders Atletico Mineiro will rate their chances of consolidating their position atop the Brazilian championship in their Round 8 fixture at home to top-flight newcomers Portuguesa on Sunday.
Atletico, who have been in stunning form since signing Ronaldinho from Flamengo, lead the competition with 16 points from seven games, but they are well aware of the fact that if they fail to overcome Portuguesa, whose most lucrative signing this season was former Brazilian national team goalkeeper Dida, they could be overtaken by Vasco da Gama or Fluminense.
Vasco, who finished in second place of the Brasileiro last season behind champions Corinthians, will farewell key midfielder Diego Souza in their clash against lowly Figueirense. Diego Souza, who was Vasco's best player in their impressive Copa Libertadores campaign, will be hoping to put on a memorable show before departing to Egyptian side Al-Ahly.
Meanwhile, Vasco's Rio de Janeiro rivals Fluminense and Flamengo will clash in the eagerly-awaited Fla-Flu derby. Fluminense, the only team who remain unbeaten in the competition so far, come into the game after having picked up a lucky win over Nautico last week and will surely fancy their chances of beating an inconsistent Flamengo.
However, Flamengo, who are the favourites to swoop Juan Roman Riquelme from Boca Juniors, will be desperate to stop the likes of Fred and Deco as they look to escalate up the league standings.
On Saturday Botafogo, Rio's other big club, welcomed Clarence Seedorf to the Engenhao stadium with a standing ovation, but although the former AC Milan playmaker didn't take the field his new team-mates put on a superb display in a 3-0 drubbing of Bahia.
Santos, who are still trying to recover from last month's Copa Libertadores semi-final elimination to eventual champions Corinthians, are one of only two teams yet to have won a game in the competition, and they will be looking to put their misery behind with a victory over Gremio at the Vila Belmiro.
South American Player of the Year Neymar hasn't been his normal self in recent weeks, and will be aiming to return to his best to lead Santos to a much-needed win in front of their home fans.
Finally, recently-crowned South American champions Corinthians will be hoping to continue with their celebrations when they travel to Pernambuco to take on locals Sport Recife. Having won the Copa Libertadores for the first time in their entire history on Wednesday, Corinthians will try to show why they are the best team on the continent with another fine display.
Atletico, who have been in stunning form since signing Ronaldinho from Flamengo, lead the competition with 16 points from seven games, but they are well aware of the fact that if they fail to overcome Portuguesa, whose most lucrative signing this season was former Brazilian national team goalkeeper Dida, they could be overtaken by Vasco da Gama or Fluminense.
Vasco, who finished in second place of the Brasileiro last season behind champions Corinthians, will farewell key midfielder Diego Souza in their clash against lowly Figueirense. Diego Souza, who was Vasco's best player in their impressive Copa Libertadores campaign, will be hoping to put on a memorable show before departing to Egyptian side Al-Ahly.
Meanwhile, Vasco's Rio de Janeiro rivals Fluminense and Flamengo will clash in the eagerly-awaited Fla-Flu derby. Fluminense, the only team who remain unbeaten in the competition so far, come into the game after having picked up a lucky win over Nautico last week and will surely fancy their chances of beating an inconsistent Flamengo.
However, Flamengo, who are the favourites to swoop Juan Roman Riquelme from Boca Juniors, will be desperate to stop the likes of Fred and Deco as they look to escalate up the league standings.
On Saturday Botafogo, Rio's other big club, welcomed Clarence Seedorf to the Engenhao stadium with a standing ovation, but although the former AC Milan playmaker didn't take the field his new team-mates put on a superb display in a 3-0 drubbing of Bahia.
Santos, who are still trying to recover from last month's Copa Libertadores semi-final elimination to eventual champions Corinthians, are one of only two teams yet to have won a game in the competition, and they will be looking to put their misery behind with a victory over Gremio at the Vila Belmiro.
South American Player of the Year Neymar hasn't been his normal self in recent weeks, and will be aiming to return to his best to lead Santos to a much-needed win in front of their home fans.
Finally, recently-crowned South American champions Corinthians will be hoping to continue with their celebrations when they travel to Pernambuco to take on locals Sport Recife. Having won the Copa Libertadores for the first time in their entire history on Wednesday, Corinthians will try to show why they are the best team on the continent with another fine display.
