Vasco vs Grêmio – News and Probable Lineups

Vasco da Gama will face Gremio at Sao Januario in a Brasileiro showdown on Sunday, with both teams performing well as they approach this week’s eighth match.

Vasco comes into this matchup riding a four-match unbeaten streak under Renato Gaucho, while Gremio will arrive with an impressive eight-game unbeaten run, having already clinched the Campeonato Gaucho trophy.

Match overview

Renato Portaluppi took the reins at Vasco following the dismissal of Fernando Diniz after a lackluster first leg in the Carioca semi-finals, leading the club’s leadership to seek out an experienced coach to turn their fortunes around.

This managerial shift has yielded better tactical structure, particularly through a more balanced midfield that emphasizes physicality and defensive strength.

The departure of Philippe Coutinho has enabled Renato to create a more secure central unit and facilitate quicker transitions into offensive play, aligning with his tactical preferences.

A key feature of this strategy is an energetic attacking trio composed of Nuno Moreira, Andres Gomez, and David. Their swift movement and pace in the final third have contributed to the team’s unbeaten run.

Nonetheless, the underlying statistics suggest that this team is still developing rather than fully polished.

Currently, Vasco sits in 10th place in the league with eight points from seven matches. Their campaign, marked by vulnerabilities from a less-than-ideal start, showcases the need for improved defensive stability with 11 goals scored and 12 conceded.

Meanwhile, Gremio has reaffirmed its status as one of Brazil’s top teams after a challenging 2025, with the Campeonato Gaucho trophy and an unbeaten streak of eight matches in 2026 marking a significant comeback under Luís Castro.

The Portuguese head coach has been crucial, utilizing a more streamlined squad and notable tactical flexibility to shift his team’s approach throughout games, thereby catching opponents off guard and providing Gremio with a more unpredictable, competitive edge.

This progress is evident in the harmony between enthusiastic youngsters and seasoned players, alongside well-integrated international talents.

Gremio currently occupies seventh place in the Brasileirao with 11 points from seven matches, having scored 12 goals and conceded 10, just two points shy of the top four.

They head to Sao Januario on a three-match unbeaten run against Vasco, aware that a victory away from home would both bolster their push for a top-four finish and send a clear message to other teams in the league.

Team News

For Sunday’s matchup, Vasco anticipates the return of Cauan Barros, who is likely to reclaim his starting position, increasing competition in midfield alongside Tche Tche and Hugo Moura.

Matheus Carvalho and Jair will remain unavailable, having been confirmed by Renato Gaucho as absent from the fixture, intensifying the rivalry for positions elsewhere in the team.

In the defensive setup, Carlos Cuesta is expected to compete with Alan Saldivia for a starting place after coming off the bench in the last match, while struggling right-back Paulo Henrique faces stiff competition from Puma Rodriguez for his position.

On the other hand, Gremio arrives with four confirmed absentees, including Mathias Villasanti, Gustavo Martins, and Joao Pedro, all sidelined by injury, along with Marlon, who sustained a severe problem in the previous encounter against Vitoria.

However, there is a positive note for Luis Castro, as Martin Braithwaite is available again after returning to the bench following a six-month absence and is expected to feature more prominently in this fixture.

Furthermore, Erick Noriega, Wagner Leonardo, and Miguel Monsalve, who were rested in the previous match, are anticipated to rejoin the starting lineup, significantly bolstering Gremio for their trip to Sao Januario.

Vasco da Gama probable starting XI:

Garden; Henrique, Saldivia, Renan, Cuiabano; Barros, Mendes, Tche Tche; Moreira, Gomez, David

Gremio probable starting XI:

Weverton; Pavon, Balbuena, Viery, Paulista; Noriega, Nardoni, Monsalve; In love, Amuzu, Vinicius

Two teams at the top of their game will put their unbeaten runs to the test at Sao Januario, with the home advantage on Vasco’s side, but Gremio arrives with notable consistency, setting the stage for an exciting matchup.

With both teams eager for points to progress up the standings, a high-scoring draw seems to be the most likely outcome.