We have some great fixtures to enjoy in Brazil on the weekend and we will see the league leaders in action at home. Palmeiras welcome Atletico PR to Allianz Parque in Sao Paulo as they bid to remain top of the 2019 Campeonato Brasileiro Serie A.
Palmeiras are the defending champions having won the title in 2018 and will be aiming for their third title in four years. Atletico PR last won the league in 2001 and are not out of the race this season as it is still early days.
The hosts come into this game having won five and drawn one of their six league games this season. The wins have come against Fortaleza, Internacional and Santos at home plus Atletico Mineiro and Chapecoense away. The only dropped points came in the 1-1 draw at CSA.
Trends show Palmeiras are extremely tough to beat in Serie A and have remained undefeated in their last thirty league matches. Their home record is fantastic and they have won each of their last sixteen league games at Allianz Parque.
They have kept a clean sheet in five of their last six at home and have scored 3 or more goals in six of their last seven.
Therefore, Atletico PR have a job on their hands this week and they have won only two of their last six games in all competitions. The wins came against River Plate at home in the Copa Sudamerica and Fluminense at home last time out in the Brazilian league.
Away form in Serie A shows Atletico PR have failed to win any of their last three matches. There have been defeats at Fortaleza and Flamengo plus a draw at Chapecoense. Overall, Atletico PR’s away form is dreadful and trends show they have won only two of their last twenty away games in the league.
They have kept just a single clean sheet in their last eleven on the road but have scored at least once in each of their last seven.
Looking ahead to the team news and Palmeiras will be without Ricardo Goulart and Willian who are both recovering from knee injuries. Luan is a doubt with a thigh injury but top scorer Bruno Henrique should be fit to start the match.
Atletico PR have doubts over three players and Robson Bambu, Thiago Heleno and Guilherme Camacho are battling to be fit for the game. Rony is a key player up-front having scored 3 goals this season.
Given their home form, it is impossible to look beyond Palmeiras for the win in this game. Expect to see them score a few goals on their way to victory over a team who do not travel well.