On Sunday night, Sao Paulo host Flamengo at the Estadio Cicero Pompeu de Toledo, as the visitors look to boost to keep their title hopes alive in the Brazilian Serie A.
Sao Paulo have experienced a mixed campaign in the Brazilian top-flight. However, they are just a point adrift of the Copa Sudamericana spots.
On the flip side, though, Rogerio Ceni’s team are just five points clear of the relegation zone.
With a game in hand on 17th place Juventude, they look unlikely to be dragged into the drop zone.
Their recent league form is slightly concerning though, as Sao Paulo have won just one of their previous four matches in Serie A. Last time out the home team drew 1-1 at Fortaleza.
One positive for Sao Paulo of late has been that they have been difficult to beat on home soil, as they head into this clash unbeaten in nine home games in Serie A.
Their recent league games on home soil have been low-scoring, as their last six top-flight games at the Estadio Cicero Pompeu de Toledo have produced under 2.5 goals.
Flamengo will still feel they have an outside chance of retaining their Serie A crown, although they are currently third-place in the table and 11 points behind league leaders Atletico Mineiro.
The visitors do have a game in hand and there are still nine top-flight games remaining, so all is not yet lost. They are at least eight points clear of fifth-placed RB Bragantino in the race for the Copa Libertadores spots.
Renato Gaucho’s team are unbeaten in their last five Serie A matches after a 3-0 win over Bahia last time out. Star striker Gabriel Barbosa has once again been prolific this season in Serie A, having scored nine league goals, despite making just 14 top-flight appearances.
Sao Paulo have had the better of this fixture in recent years. However, Forebet predicts that Flamengo will record a victory in a high-scoring encounter in this clash.