Internacional vs Chapecoense – News and Probable Lineups

On Sunday, two teams that anticipated better outcomes at this stage of the season will clash in the eighth round of the 2026 Campeonato Brasileiro when Internacional hosts Chapecoense at Beira-Rio.

Both squads share the disappointment of being runners-up in their respective state championships, as well as lackluster performances in the Brasileirao, with each team finding themselves near the bottom of the table and securing just one victory to date.

However, the situation somewhat levels the playing field, with both teams arriving having only achieved one win in their last five games and neither enjoying a favorable placement. Internacional will be relying on their home field to alleviate some of the pressure, despite having struggled with inconsistent performances at Beira-Rio, while Chapecoense is determined to end their losing streak and obtain a positive result in Porto Alegre.

Match overview

Internacional has found a moment of relief following a turbulent phase, with a recent victory putting an end to a five-match winless streak that began after their encounter with Remo and extended through the Gauchao final, where they faced defeat at the hands of their rivals, Gremio. This loss has had a lasting effect on their Brasileirao performance.

Concerns linger regarding their league performance, as four losses, two draws, and only one win in seven matches leave Internacional in 17th place, with just five points in the relegation zone. Their goal tally of five scored and nine conceded reveals ongoing struggles in both attack and defense.

Though Internacional remains unbeaten in their last three encounters against Chapecoense, current conditions have heightened the scrutiny on head coach Paulo Pezzolano, with fans starting to question his tenure, and the board keeping a close eye on a situation that may become untenable if results do not improve swiftly.

With only the Brasileirao and the Copa do Brasil left to compete for this season, Internacional cannot afford to lose any points, making their home fixture against struggling Chapecoense essential, as a loss would only exacerbate tensions at Beira-Rio.

Historically, Internacional leads this matchup with seven victories in 14 encounters compared to Chapecoense’s five wins and two draws, and their recent trend continues as Chapecoense has not won in the last three meetings, which adds another obstacle for a side already battling for consistency.

Chapecoense entered the 2026 Brasileirao with the goal of establishing themselves upon their return to the top division, but their beginning has presented more challenges than hope, starting with an unsatisfactory state championship where, despite being favorites, they surrendered the title to unexpected winners Barra, missing out on the Catarinense crown for the first time since 2020.

This setback has had lasting repercussions, and their difficult league performance has compounded the issue, as they’ve gone three games without a victory this season and captured only two wins in their previous ten encounters, revealing instability for a team that urgently needed a solid start to boost confidence.

In the tables, Chapecoense currently occupies 14th place with seven points from six matches, showcasing four draws, one win, and one defeat, having scored and conceded nine goals each. This balance translates into too few points gained and an abundance of missed chances to climb higher.

Manager Gilmar Dal Pozzo is facing increasing scrutiny, as the coach tasked with stabilizing the club in the top tier is now encountering questions about his position due to results that are not meeting expectations.

With just the Brasileirao and the Copa do Brasil remaining this season, Chapecoense acknowledges the urgency facing them, and a win against Internacional would be the perfect way to revive their campaign.

Team News

Internacional is expected to welcome back several crucial players for their match at Beira-Rio, including midfielder Paulinho returning from suspension, and Alan Patrick, Gabriel Mercado, Alexandro Bernabei, and Carbonero are anticipated to rejoin the starting XI after having been rested earlier. Kayky remains the only confirmed injury absence.

The main concern revolves around Rodrigo Villagra, who has been dealing with thigh discomfort following the last match, and he will be evaluated before the match. However, it’s expected that he will be available. Meanwhile, Victor Gabriel, Gabriel Mercado, Vitinho, and Alexandro Bernabei need to be wary as they are one yellow card away from suspension.

Chapecoense travels with a relatively stable squad, missing only Mauricio Garcez, Bruno Matias, Robert, and full-back Mancha, who has been out since last year. Camilo and Everton face the risk of suspension due to accumulated yellow cards.

With no significant changes anticipated, Gilmar Dal Pozzo is likely to keep the core lineup that drew 0-0 with Corinthians, hoping continuity will yield stability and that it will suffice to achieve an upset against Internacional.

Internacional probable starting XI:

Rochet; Gomes, Mercado, Gabriel, Bernabei; Villagra, Paula, Patrick; Vitinho, Carbonero, Borre

Chapecoense probable starting XI:

Scallop; Everton, Leonardo, Doma, Clar; Camilo, Vitor, Carvalheira; Augusto, Bolasie, Marcinho

Both teams are grappling with challenging situations but confront varying levels of urgency. Internacional is under pressure at home as they fight to escape the relegation zone and aims for a consistent response, while Chapecoense arrives with aspirations of solidifying their place in the top division but hasn’t tasted victory in three outings.

The home advantage at Beira-Rio and the recent head-to-head results favor Internacional, who is unbeaten in the last three matchups and boosted by the return of crucial players, which should provide the impetus needed for Pezzolano’s side to secure a win, while Chapecoense might find it tough to impose themselves away from home.

A narrow triumph for Internacional is anticipated, which would alleviate some of the pressure at Beira-Rio and potentially lift them out of the relegation zone, at least in the short term.