This is it. The last round of Campeonato Brasileiro and any of the top three can clinch the title.
Fluminense, top with 68 points, entertain Guarani who were relegated last week so Flu can only blame themselves if they don’t claim the prize. Corinthians, one point behind in second place, also take on a relegated team but they are away to Goias. Third placed Cruzeiro, needing three points and the other two to slip up big time, can cross the line first. They are at home to Palmeiras, a team still smarting from a Sudamericana semi-final defeat to Goias. Who dares wins.
Gremio, in fourth place, welcome fifth placed Botafogo so a draw would confirm their automatic place in the Libertadores Cup. Botafogo need to win to leap-frog their hosts and clinch that fourth spot.
It’s just as tight at the bottom. With one relegation place to fill, Vitoria and Atletico-GO sit uneasily with 41 points each. Vitoria are in the dreaded seventeenth place by virtue of an inferior number of goals scored. And who does Vitoria entertain at home? Yep, Atletico-GO . Isn’t the Fixture Fairy wonderful? The visitors only need a draw so it’s all or nothing for Vitoria. Boa sorte.
Thursday night’s game between relegated Gremio Prudente at home to Internacional saw the visitors romp home out 3-0.
Estadio: Morumbi
Ricardo Oliveira has recovered from a knee injury and will play up front alongside Marlos. Coach Paulo Cesar Carpegiani has picked Ilsinho and Jorge Wagner as his full backs.
Atletico-MG coach Dorival Junior is likely to play Paraguayan Caceres in a new partnership with Ecuadorian Jairo Campos. It shouldn’t be a problem – they both speak Spanish. Werley and Lima are both out.
Estadio: Serra Dourada
Goias will have their eyes on the trip next week to Argentina to face Independiente in the second leg of the Copa Sudamericana final. Defending a 2-0 lead, Ernando has said that a win will go some way to easing the pain of relegation.
The great Ronaldo, the Phenomenon, has indicated that he will retire at the end of next season and has suggested that the squad be strengthened – especially as he will pick and choose his games. If Corinthians win on Sunday and Flu stumble, he could end on a high with the championship title.
Stadium: Sao Januario
Vasco coach PC Gusmao has experimented during the week but still doesn’t know his team for Sunday. He has tried Allan and Jonathan in place of Fumagalli and Renato Augusto but kept youngster Bruno Paul in attack.
Even with a place in Copa Sudamericana guaranteed, Ceara coach Dimas Filgueras has said they will be looking for a win to avenge a home defeat to Vasco earlier in the season.
Stadium: Arena da Baixada
There’s been a lot of talk about players leaving the club, some to Europe, but Pirlo hopes to return to Atletico-PR’s team after five weeks out with a calf injury and cement his place for next season.
After last Sunday’s game against Santos, at least seven of the Avai players celebrated keeping their Serie A status by partying in a Florianapolis hotel … until early Tuesday morning. The management has said there will be no punishments. Maybe it was a bad hotel.
Estadio: Arena de Jacare
Both defender Leo and striker Wellington Paulista have spoken this week of the need to remain calm to get the victory that will keep them in with a shout of the title. They still hope that the top two can make the mistakes that will hand them the title.
Palmeiras coach Luis Felipe Scolari is looking to next season and is likely to start with 18 year old midfielder Jean and striker Vinicius.
Estadio: Barradao
There was a crush the other day as Vitoria fans tried to buy the last remaining tickets and many were turned away disappointed. It’s a win or Serie B for Vitoria. On the same points as their visitors, they will go down on goal difference. Coach Antonio Lopes has injury problems but hopes to start with Vanderson and Jonas. Midfielder Ramon Menezes is hopeful too.
Influential Atletico-GO player Robston is aware that a draw will keep them safe from the drop but he insists that his team will not be coming to play negative football. We’ll see. Too close to call.
Estadio: Olimpico
Gremio’s top scorer Jonas has another reason to score on Sunday other than to maintain his position as the championship’s leading marksman. He’s on the same number of goals scored for Gremio, 74, as current coach Renato Gaucho from a previous era. He may lose his place in the goal scoring list but the coach will be happy if his players keep the team in fourth place and qualify for the Libertadores Cup.
Botafogo coach Joel Santana is wanted by the fans to stay on for next season but he has refused to give his word until after this last game of the season. He also wants to ensure a guaranteed place in the Libertadores Cup and that will only happen if they beat their hosts today.
Estadio: Engenhao
Fuminense coach Muricy Ramalho has tried to keep to the same routine in order to keep the team calm. He knows what he’s doing – he’s coached four championship teams in the last five years. It’s simple. If they win, they are the champions.
Guarani fans protested angrily outside Brinco de Ouro yesterday about their relegation to Serie B. They insisted the team give their all against champions elect Fluminense as it might restore some pride. Coach Vagner Mancini came out to disperse around forty disgruntled fans. No one was hurt.
Estadio: Vila Belmiro
After an agonizing ten months out, defender Bruno Rodrigo returns for Santos against Flamengo. Two complicated back injuries led him to believe his career was over but he persevered and this game is his reward for all the hard work in the gym.
The good news is that Fernando has signed a new contract with the Red and Blacks. The 24 year old is certain his best years are ahead of him and is pleased, after an indifferent season, to be given the chance to prove himself consistent.
Gremio, in fourth place, welcome fifth placed Botafogo so a draw would confirm their automatic place in the Libertadores Cup. Botafogo need to win to leap-frog their hosts and clinch that fourth spot.
It’s just as tight at the bottom. With one relegation place to fill, Vitoria and Atletico-GO sit uneasily with 41 points each. Vitoria are in the dreaded seventeenth place by virtue of an inferior number of goals scored. And who does Vitoria entertain at home? Yep, Atletico-GO . Isn’t the Fixture Fairy wonderful? The visitors only need a draw so it’s all or nothing for Vitoria. Boa sorte.
Thursday night’s game between relegated Gremio Prudente at home to Internacional saw the visitors romp home out 3-0.
Estadio: Morumbi
Ricardo Oliveira has recovered from a knee injury and will play up front alongside Marlos. Coach Paulo Cesar Carpegiani has picked Ilsinho and Jorge Wagner as his full backs.
Atletico-MG coach Dorival Junior is likely to play Paraguayan Caceres in a new partnership with Ecuadorian Jairo Campos. It shouldn’t be a problem – they both speak Spanish. Werley and Lima are both out.
Estadio: Serra Dourada
Goias will have their eyes on the trip next week to Argentina to face Independiente in the second leg of the Copa Sudamericana final. Defending a 2-0 lead, Ernando has said that a win will go some way to easing the pain of relegation.
The great Ronaldo, the Phenomenon, has indicated that he will retire at the end of next season and has suggested that the squad be strengthened – especially as he will pick and choose his games. If Corinthians win on Sunday and Flu stumble, he could end on a high with the championship title.
Stadium: Sao Januario
Vasco coach PC Gusmao has experimented during the week but still doesn’t know his team for Sunday. He has tried Allan and Jonathan in place of Fumagalli and Renato Augusto but kept youngster Bruno Paul in attack.
Even with a place in Copa Sudamericana guaranteed, Ceara coach Dimas Filgueras has said they will be looking for a win to avenge a home defeat to Vasco earlier in the season.
Stadium: Arena da Baixada
There’s been a lot of talk about players leaving the club, some to Europe, but Pirlo hopes to return to Atletico-PR’s team after five weeks out with a calf injury and cement his place for next season.
After last Sunday’s game against Santos, at least seven of the Avai players celebrated keeping their Serie A status by partying in a Florianapolis hotel … until early Tuesday morning. The management has said there will be no punishments. Maybe it was a bad hotel.
Estadio: Arena de Jacare
Both defender Leo and striker Wellington Paulista have spoken this week of the need to remain calm to get the victory that will keep them in with a shout of the title. They still hope that the top two can make the mistakes that will hand them the title.
Palmeiras coach Luis Felipe Scolari is looking to next season and is likely to start with 18 year old midfielder Jean and striker Vinicius.
Estadio: Barradao
There was a crush the other day as Vitoria fans tried to buy the last remaining tickets and many were turned away disappointed. It’s a win or Serie B for Vitoria. On the same points as their visitors, they will go down on goal difference. Coach Antonio Lopes has injury problems but hopes to start with Vanderson and Jonas. Midfielder Ramon Menezes is hopeful too.
Influential Atletico-GO player Robston is aware that a draw will keep them safe from the drop but he insists that his team will not be coming to play negative football. We’ll see. Too close to call.
Estadio: Olimpico
Gremio’s top scorer Jonas has another reason to score on Sunday other than to maintain his position as the championship’s leading marksman. He’s on the same number of goals scored for Gremio, 74, as current coach Renato Gaucho from a previous era. He may lose his place in the goal scoring list but the coach will be happy if his players keep the team in fourth place and qualify for the Libertadores Cup.
Botafogo coach Joel Santana is wanted by the fans to stay on for next season but he has refused to give his word until after this last game of the season. He also wants to ensure a guaranteed place in the Libertadores Cup and that will only happen if they beat their hosts today.
Estadio: Engenhao
Fuminense coach Muricy Ramalho has tried to keep to the same routine in order to keep the team calm. He knows what he’s doing – he’s coached four championship teams in the last five years. It’s simple. If they win, they are the champions.
Guarani fans protested angrily outside Brinco de Ouro yesterday about their relegation to Serie B. They insisted the team give their all against champions elect Fluminense as it might restore some pride. Coach Vagner Mancini came out to disperse around forty disgruntled fans. No one was hurt.
Estadio: Vila Belmiro
After an agonizing ten months out, defender Bruno Rodrigo returns for Santos against Flamengo. Two complicated back injuries led him to believe his career was over but he persevered and this game is his reward for all the hard work in the gym.
The good news is that Fernando has signed a new contract with the Red and Blacks. The 24 year old is certain his best years are ahead of him and is pleased, after an indifferent season, to be given the chance to prove himself consistent.
