Vasco vs Santos – News and Probable Lineups

Vasco da Gama will take on Santos at Sao Januario on Sunday for the 23rd round of the Brasileirao, with both teams eager to secure crucial points as they aim to stave off relegation.

With only one place separating the two sides and both holding 22 points, they head into this match under considerable stress, as Vasco has not won in their last five league encounters, while Santos has found success only once during that stretch, as they both juggle domestic duties alongside Copa Sudamericana commitments.

Match overview

Currently, Vasco sits in 18th place in the Brasileirao, having garnered 22 points from 21 matches, firmly placing them in the relegation zone and in need of an immediate response.

The Cruz-Maltino have been unable to secure a win in their last five league matches, and their past performances at Sao Januario have yielded only one victory in their last five fixtures at home.

The stats reflect Vasco’s struggles, having netted 23 goals while conceding 31, resulting in a negative goal difference and leaving them with little room for missteps as the relegation battle heats up.

Pedro Emanuel’s squad comes into this match following a tough Copa Sudamericana match, where they played to a scoreless draw against Olimpia in the first leg of their round-of-16 tie.

Vasco had chances during the match but failed to convert, leaving the tie finely poised for the return leg next Thursday in Paraguay.

This congested fixture list means Emanuel must carefully manage his squad, but the match on Sunday presents a crucial chance to leverage home advantage against a direct relegation competitor.

Santos currently occupies 17th place, also at 22 points, and only leads Vasco on goal difference, having registered just one victory in their past five Brasileirao matches and hunting for their first away win of the season, which includes five draws and four losses on the road.

Their attacking statistics are superior to Vasco’s, with 29 goals scored, but they have conceded 35 goals, leading to a negative goal difference of six.

Cuca’s team arrives in better spirits after claiming a 2-1 win over Macara in the first leg of their Copa Sudamericana round-of-16 matchup. Gabriel Barbosa and Willian Arao were the goalscorers, providing Santos with a slight lead ahead of the second leg next week in Ecuador.

However, like Vasco, Santos will have to deal with the demands of playing two matches in quick succession, and with both teams tied on 22 points, Sunday’s clash is expected to hold significant weight in the relegation battle.

Team News

Vasco will be missing five players, as Mateus Carvalho is sidelined with a knee injury, Carlos Cuesta is nursing a muscle issue, and Brenner is recuperating from a toe injury.

Andres Gomez and Cuiabano will also miss the match, with the latter serving a suspension due to his third yellow card.

Puma Rodriguez, Tche Tche, and Johan Rojas are all one booking away from suspension; meanwhile, new signings Sosa and Colidio are awaiting registration with the CBF before being eligible for selection.

Santos has confirmed three absentees, with Gustavo Henrique recovering from a muscle injury, Moises dealing with an ankle issue, and Igor Vinicius still recovering from a back injury.

Gabriel Bontempo and Gabriel Menino are doubtful following injuries sustained during the match against Macara and will be assessed prior to kickoff.

The visitors also have several players at risk of suspension, with Joao Schmidt, Barbosa, Luan Peres, Alvaro Barreal, Gonzalo Escobar, Adonis Frias, and Arao all one yellow card away from a ban.

Vasco da Gama probable starting XI:

Garden; Henrique, Saldivia, Renan, Piton; Jair, Tche Tche; Adson, Mendes, Moreira; Spinelli

Santos probable starting XI:

coat of arms; Davizinho, Frias, Ananias, Escobar; Oliva, Schmidt; Rollheiser, Neymar, Barreal; Barbosa

Vasco’s advantage at home could be critical in what is likely to be a tight and low-scoring fixture, as the hosts demonstrated against Olimpia that they can maintain defensive organization under pressure, though their conversion of chances continues to be a concern.

Santos comes into this match buoyed by their Copa Sudamericana victory but has struggled significantly in away fixtures in the Brasileirao, while their midweek exertions may also leave Cuca’s side lacking in freshness.

With points being essential for both teams and minimal separation in the league table, it is anticipated that the hosts will narrowly secure a victory in a tense contest at Sao Januario, ending their five-match winless streak.
Pedro Emanuel