Match Preview
Sao Paulo have won only once in the last five games they have played in all competitions. That has made life so hard for them to climb further up the table, and now they find themselves in a vulnerable position for a qualifying spot in Copa Libertadores. That is because they enjoy only a two-point lead over Bahia. Their last win in the league came at home against Corinthians 3-1.
Despite some stumbles, Sao Paulo have been strong at home this season, managing 10 wins in 15 domestic matches. However, they’ve had to deal with inconsistency, dropping 10 points from winning positions in league play. Sao Paulo have indeed historically dominated Vasco at home, unbeaten in nine home encounters and drawing 4-2 in last year’s fixture.
On the other end, Vasco da Gama also had a poor September, where they won once in five games. Coming into this tie, they are without a win in five successive matches in all competitions, having mainly struggled to continuously find the back of the net, scoring more than once in none of those five. Vasco has struggled to find the net and have only scored 32 goals this season – that’s the worst in the top half of the table. They have only one win in their last six away games, their last victory away at Sao Paulo coming in 2012.
Recent Form
Sao Paulo: WLWLWL (League), WDLLWL (All Competitions)
Vasco da Gama: WWDLDD (League), WDLDLD (All Competitions)
Team News
Sao Paulo will again face injury woes with Pablo Maia-thigh, Alisson-broken ankle and Patryck-shoulder all out. Ferreira, Moreira, Michel Araujo and Welington are also out due to different kinds of injury problems. Defenders Andre Silva and Robert Arboleda pick yellow cards in their last outing, which means suspension for them.
Vasco da Gama: Jair stays out with his ACL injury while Paulinho and Guilherme Estrella recover from knee problems. Adson should be back at the end of November after a broken leg, while David’s season is over with an ACL tear. Souza is suspended after seeing red in their last outing. First goal of the Serie A season for Vasco’s Dimitri Payet in their draw with Juventude will be one to watch.
Predicted Lineups
Sao Paulo:
Rafael; Rafinha, Arboleda, Sabino, Lewis; Liziero, Gustavo; Gomes, Luciano, L. Moura; Calleri
Vasco da Gama:
Jardim; P. Rodriguez, Victor, Maicon, Piton; H. Moura, Sforza; Coutinho, Payet, E. Rodriguez; Vegetti
It will be an important game for either team in order for them to finish high this season. Sao Paulo will eye a Libertadores spot whereas Vasco da Gama is keen to rise up the table further into Copa Sudamericana qualification.
