Chapecoense vs São Paulo – News and Probable Lineups

On Sunday, Chapecoense will take on Sao Paulo at Arena Conda in Chapeco for the 24th round of the Brasilian Championship, with the home side seeking a much-needed result in their fight to avoid relegation.

Meanwhile, Sao Paulo arrives hoping to put an end to a lengthy winless spell in the Brasileirao, having secured a place in the Copa Sudamericana quarter-finals during the previous week.

Match overview

Chapecoense has experienced a disappointing return to Brazil’s premier division, currently sitting at the bottom of the table with a mere 11 points from 22 matches.

Rafael Lacerda’s squad has recorded just one win so far this season, alongside eight draws and 13 losses, which leaves them 13 points adrift of safety – their defensive issues have been particularly damaging, as Chapecoense has conceded 46 goals while scoring only 23, resulting in the worst goal difference in the league.

Their recent performances do not inspire much confidence either. A 3-3 draw against Bahia in their last match extended their winless run in the top flight to 22 matches, while Lacerda is still looking for his first victory since taking over.

Nevertheless, Chapecoense may find some solace in playing at home, as the Arena Conda has traditionally been a challenging venue for visiting teams, and the hosts must capitalize on this advantage if they hope to start narrowing the sizable gap to safety.

A cautious approach is anticipated, with Lacerda likely prioritizing a solid defensive setup before seeking to exploit gaps through the speed of his wide players.

Conversely, Sao Paulo enters this match with fortunes that contrast sharply in domestic versus continental play.

Dorival Junior’s team is 13th in the Brasileirão with 27 points from 22 matches, having achieved seven victories, six draws, and nine defeats – however, they have not won in their last nine league fixtures, a streak that has stymied their upward movement in the standings.

However, their morale was boosted significantly on Thursday when Sao Paulo triumphed over Bolivar 3-1 to clinch a place in the quarter-finals of the Copa Sudamericana, a result that alleviated some pressure on Dorival and provided a crucial lift ahead of their journey to Santa Catarina.

The ability of the away team to maintain possession may be crucial on Sunday, having averaged 54.3% possession this season compared to Chapecoense’s 42.7%, and their patience in ball retention will be put to the test against a home side likely to adopt a deep defensive line and look for counter-attacking opportunities.

The visitors will also come into this match with confidence from their recent record against this opponent, being unbeaten in the last five clashes between the two teams, including a 2-0 victory in the earlier fixture at Caninde this season, where Luciano and Jonathan Calleri were the scorers.

In summary, the rivalry is relatively even – in the 15 encounters since 2014, Sao Paulo has emerged victorious five times, while Chapecoense has won four, with the remaining six matches ending in draws.

Team News

Chapecoense is missing several players due to injuries, with Bruno Tubarao sidelined by a thigh issue and Max Alves healing from a rib fracture.

Rafael Carvalheira will miss the remainder of the season due to a cruciate ligament injury, while Robert is projected to be out until October as he recovers from his ACL injury, and Yannick Bolasie is also not available because of an abdominal problem.

There are no suspensions affecting the hosts, allowing Camilo to provide support in midfield and assist in launching attacks alongside Giovanni Augusto.

Sao Paulo is also facing absences, with Lucas Moura still out after an Achilles tendon rupture, and Victor Sa is questionable due to an ankle injury.

Rafael Toloi and Maik are both unavailable due to muscle injuries, while defender Nahuel Ferraresi has completed a permanent transfer to Botafogo.

With no suspensions to manage, Dorival is likely to field much of the same squad that helped Sao Paulo advance in the Copa Sudamericana, with Calleri spearheading the attack.

Chapecoense probable starting XI:

Anderson; Everton, Doma, Faria, Fernando; Camilo, Felipe, Rossi, Marcinho, Augusto; Thulium

Sao Paulo probable starting XI:

Raphael; Ramon, Arboleda, Duarte, Wendell; Newton, Maia; Artur, Luciano, Antonio; Calleri

Given Chapecoense’s home advantage and their urgent need for points, this should be a fiercely contested fixture; however, their defensive problems remain a significant concern against a Sao Paulo side with superior individual talent.

A closely matched encounter is anticipated, with Calleri and the visitors’ superior attacking prowess likely being the telling factor in a narrow win.