Amidst all of the Nations League competitions being conducted around various parts of the globe, the Brazilian top flight action continues and this Saturday features the upcoming clash between 2nd placed Corinthians and second from bottom outfit, Juventude, when the two teams face off at the Neo Química Arena in Sao Paulo.
Corinthians trail the early Serie A league leaders, Palmeiras, by just a single point ahead of this weekend’s action and the hosts know that all three points against their lowly opponents on Saturday could see them at the summit of the division by the end of the weekend.
This all looked straightforward enough as Corinthians had put together a solid looking six-match unbeaten sequence in Serie A in recent weeks, collecting wins against Fortaleza, Bragantino and Atletico GO in the process, but they were stopped in their tracks last time out.
A 1-0 defeat away from home at Cuiaba was not part of Corinthians’ script and the hosts now return to their Neo Química Arena needing to record a bounce back victory if they are to take over at the top, while three of their four home games to date have resulted under 2.5 goals.
Juventude currently sit second from bottom in the Brazilian Serie A and they also tasted defeat last time out in the domestic top flight as they were handed a heavy 3-1 defeat at home by Athletico PR, leaving them second from bottom but just one point from safety.
Juventude have posted some fairly below-par performances so far this season which have resulted in the visitors losing four of their opening 10 games of this new Serie A campaign, losing to the likes of America Mineiro, Cuiaba, Palmeiras and Athletico PR, but they have also picked up a couple of useful wins as well.
Victories against Avai and Fluminense have at least kept Juventude in touch with the teams above them towards the bottom of the division and the visitors have a renewed sense of belief as they bring a three-game unbeaten run away from home into Saturday’s encounter at the Neo Química Arena.
Two of these three away games have resulted under 2.5 goals with 1-1 draws at Botafogo and Fortaleza, along with a 2-1 win at Avai.
Despite the difference in league positions, this could be a low-scoring affair as neither side can afford to lose this one.