Internacional will host Sao Paulo on Wednesday in the Brasileiro. The hosts are currently in 14th place in the standings, two points behind Sao Paulo in 11th place. They would pass them if they win.
Preview (Internacional vs. Sao Paulo)
Internacional is still in with a chance of finishing in the top 12 in the Brasileiro season, which would qualify them for the Copa Sudamericana group stages the following season. The fact that the Reds are only five points above the drop zone, in part due to their appalling goal-scoring record, means that they will also be keeping an eye on the future. Eduardo Coudet’s team (17) has scored the second-fewest goals this season. They have struggled to find a cutting edge offensively lately.
Internacional has gone three league games without scoring, with their past two games ending in scoreless draws. The Copa Libertadores have provided a much-needed diversion. The Reds advanced to the semifinal of the South American premier championship after defeating Bolivar 3-0 over two legs. They will face Fluminese at the end of the month. Sao Paulo hasn’t fared as well in cup tournaments, most recently losing to Ecuadorian team LDU Quito over two legs and leaving the Copa Sudamericana in the quarterfinals.
The Tricolor Paulista’s recent performance has really been rather disappointing overall. They have won just one of their previous six games. They are still ranked top 12 and are only eight points behind the top six teams, with a game remaining. While both Dorival Junior’s team and the team they will face on Wednesday have three points from their last five games, Dorival Junior’s team has managed to win most of the recent meetings between the two teams, which may have an impact on Wednesday’s outcome. In their last five meetings with Internacional, Sao Paulo has won three, tied one, and lost one. Most recently, Sao Paulo defeated Internacional 2-0 at the Estadio do Morumbi thanks to goals from Luciano and Pablo Maia.
Team News
Despite having a fully fit roster to pick from, Internacional will be without long-term absentee Dalbert, who is still out with a knee ailment. The only other players absent are Rodrigo Moledo and Luiz Adriano, both of whom are suspended. As a result, Enner Valencia will likely start at center forward for the hosts. Erison is out with a muscle ailment, while Patryck is out with an ankle injury for Sao Paulo, adding to their list of injured players.
Giuliano Galoppo will not play on Wednesday due to a chronic knee ailment. Caio Paulista is nearing a full recovery but will miss out against Internacional. Both teams are struggling in the Brasileiro, with Sao Paulo scoring just once in their last four games and Internacional drawing their last two games 0-0.
Internacional 0 – 0 Sao Paulo
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