Palmeiras have been the outstanding team in the opening ten gameweeks of the Brazilian Serie A season.
On Saturday night, the league leaders visit struggling city rivals Sao Paulo in a big derby clash.
Sao Paulo have found wins hard to come by in the Brazilian top-flight of late, as they have picked up just 13 points from their opening 11 league outings. The poor start to the season has Hernan Crespo’s team in the relegation berths.
A 5-1 hammering at Flamengo last time out means that Sao Paulo have won just two of their ten league outings this season.
They have certainly not been prolific in front of goal in recent games, as only two teams in Serie A have scored fewer goals than the home side. The fact that only one player has scored more than one league goal this season is also a concern.
Sao Paulo have also struggled for results on home soil of late in the Brazilian top-flight, as they have won just once in their previous six home games in Serie A.
Palmeiras top the table, but are only three points clear of second-place Atletico Mineiro, so there is very little room for complacency from the visitors. A 1-0 win over Fluminense last time out means that the league leaders have now won their last seven matches in the Brazilian top-flight.
They have been highly effective at both ends of the pitch in those recent league outings. They have kept clean sheets in four of their last five Serie A games, while also scoring at least two goals in five of their last seven league matches.
Abel Ferreira’s team have been strong on their travels in recent Serie A matches, winning four of their last five games in the Brazilian top-flight.
Forebet predicts that Palmeiras will record another victory in a tight, low-scoring affair, which will continue the visitor’s recent superb form.