Santos vs Remo – News and Probable Lineups

Santos are seeking their first win under coach Cuca as they host Remo on Thursday night at the Estadio Urbano Caldeira in Vila Belmiro for Matchday nine of the 2026 Campeonato Brasileiro, coming off four consecutive matches without a victory.

Playing in front of their home crowd, Santos will have the motivation to achieve their second win of the season, while Remo arrives with new confidence following their first win of the campaign last matchday.

Match overview

Santos faced elimination in the quarter-finals of the Campeonato Paulista, resulting in a season start filled with frustrations and inconsistencies.

The club has not lived up to expectations, resulting in significant pressure both off the pitch and in the stands.

The dismal run of results led to the departure of Juan Pablo Vojvoda, who could not withstand the underwhelming performances. The board decided to reappoint Cuca, a well-known figure at the club, tasked with reorganizing the squad and maximizing the potential of a team full of talent that has yet to perform.

Currently, the situation in the Brasileirao is troubling, with Santos occupying 16th place, amassing just seven points from eight matches – only one point above the relegation zone.

This campaign has been lackluster, featuring just one win, 10 goals scored, and 13 conceded, highlighting their challenges on both ends of the pitch.

Consistency has been the primary hurdle for the team during the initial phase of the competition. Despite having players capable of making an impact, the overall performance has not met expectations, escalating the need for immediate tactical changes.

With each passing round, the urgency for results increases, particularly with the threat of relegation looming again after last season’s struggles.

In their home ground, Vila Belmiro, Santos hopes to harness supporter backing and a managerial change as an opportunity to respond and begin their resurgence in the league.

The historical record between these two teams heavily favors Santos—the last encounter took place in the 2010 Copa do Brasil, where Santos enjoyed a 4-0 victory away.

To date, the clubs have faced each other seven times, with Santos winning six and one match ending in a draw.

Furthermore, Santos boasts an impeccable home record against Remo, reinforcing their favorites’ status and intensifying the pressure for a favorable outcome in front of their fans.

Meanwhile, Remo is also facing a challenging start to the season, shrouded in uncertainty.

The Para-based team had difficulties in the Campeonato Paraense, finishing as runners-up, while also dealing with internal issues that affected their on-field performance.

These struggles led to the exit of Juan Carlos Osorio, who could not handle the unfavorable results and tensions within the squad.

To shift the team’s direction, the club has brought in Leo Conde, who guided Vitoria to the Série B title in 2023, but the early results have not met expectations.

Since Conde took charge, Remo has secured only one win in six matches across the Brasileirao and Copa Verde, highlighting concerns over their performance upon returning to Brazil’s top tier.

Currently, Remo sits in second-to-last place with six points from eight matches, having managed only one league victory, scoring 10 goals while conceding 15, making for the third-worst defense in the league.

In light of this situation, avoiding relegation is poised to be the club’s main focus this season.

Gaining points away from home, especially in critical matches, is essential for any hope of survival and to alter the course of their disappointing start.

Team News

Santos will have to deal with a few notable absences for the upcoming fixture. Left-back Vini Lira is out due to an ankle injury, and Gabriel Barbosa is sidelined in offense due to a muscular issue.

In light of these challenges, coach Cuca is anticipated to make specific adjustments to the starting XI.

In defense, Lucas Verissimo, who made a significant impact on his return, is expected to pair with Luan Peres, while Gonzalo Escobar is likely to occupy the left-back position.

In midfield, Ze Rafael remains uncertain and could be unfit, but Gabriel Menino may establish a partnership with recent acquisition Christian Oliva.

Up front, Rony is the likely option to step in for Gabriel Barbosa, while Neymar, who was rested in the previous match, is confirmed to return to the starting lineup.

Remo also comes with their own set of absences, particularly in their attacking line. Joao Lucas, who is unlikely to play again this season, remains out, alongside forwards Diogo Hernandez and Eduardo Melo, both unavailable for the match.

Despite these missing players, it’s expected that the core group that achieved a dominant victory against Bahia will be kept intact.

Patrick de Paula is back and should be available on the bench, providing additional midfield options.

In attack, Gabriel Taliari, who is in excellent form with three goals in three matches for the club, is expected to lead the line again as the main attacking threat in their pursuit of another positive outcome.

Santos probable starting XI:

coat of arms; Vinicius, Verissimo, Peres, Escobar; Boy, Oliva; Barreal, Neymar, Moises; Ron

Remo probable starting XI:

Rangel; Marcelinho, Marllon, Almeida, Tchamba; Ze Ricardo, Patrick; Pikachu, Bueno, Manga; Taliari