Palmeiras and Bragantino will meet in the Brasileiro on Sunday, with both teams hoping to improve their domestic form as they aim to finish the campaign inside the top four.

The hosts have claimed just two wins in their last nine league matches, while the visitors have secured only one victory during the same period.

Match preview

Palmeiras extended their unwanted winless run in the Brasileiro to five matches when they were beaten 2-1 away against America Mineiro on Thursday.

For the 10th time this season, Rony found the back of the net, breaking the deadlock for the visitors just before the half-hour mark. However, the hosts fought back and equalised in the 73rd minute through Patric, before Ademir scored a dramatic 93rd-minute winner to condemn Palmeiras to their eighth league defeat this campaign.

That result has seen Abel Ferreira's men slip down to third in the Brasileiro standings, 11 points behind runaway leaders Atletico Mineiro and just two points above Corinthians, who sit just outside the top four in fifth place.

Palmeiras have a good record in recent years against Bragantino, winning five of their last six meetings against them. However, their only game without a win during this run was a 3-1 defeat away from home in their most recent encounter in June.

Having already booked their place in November's Copa Libertadores final against Flamengo, by beating Atletico Mineiro over two legs in the semi-finals last month, the Palestra Alviverde can now focus on improving their domestic form and ensuring that they consolidate their place in the top four.

Like Palmeiras, Bragantino have also progressed into a continental final, beating Paraguayan outfit Club Libertad over two legs in the semi-finals of the Copa Sudamericana last month, to set up a November showdown with Athletico Paranaense.

As impressive as they have been in South America's second-most prestigious club competition, Bragantino's domestic form has left a little to be desired.

After claiming a 1-1 draw at home against Flamengo on Thursday, Mauricio Barbieri's men are now one of only two Brasileiro sides, along with Santos, who have failed to win any of their last six league games.

A 58th-minute strike from Artur cancelled out Pedro's first-half effort, leaving the Red Bulls four points behind Flamengo, Palmeiras and Fortaleza in second, third and fourth respectively.

Bragantino head to the Allianz Parque on Sunday having failed to win any of their 10 away matches against Palmeiras, losing eight and drawing twice.

After their clash against Palmeiras, Bragantino will face seven consecutive fixtures against sides currently below them in the table. A positive result this weekend could act as a springboard for a more consistent run of form as they head into the final quarter of the campaign.

Team News

As Palmeiras goalkeeper Weverton is away on international duty, Jailson is set to continue between the sticks.

Marcos Rocha (muscle), Mayke (knee) and Victor Luis (thigh) all remain out with injuries, though they could return to training before the end of the month.

Ferreira may decide to revert to a four-man defence this weekend, which could see centre-back Benjamin Kuscevic drop to the bench, and Wesley brought into the side on the left-flank.

As for Bragantino, they will be without Raul (knee), Bruno Tubarao (broken ankle), Leandrinho (muscle), Vitinho (thigh), Lucas Evangelista (thigh) and Rafael Luiz (thigh) due to injury.

Venezuelan forward Jan Hurtado is currently away on international duty, so Ytalo is expected to lead the line again up front.

Helinho will be hoping he can force his way back into the starting lineup, after starting on the bench in midweek, and he could replace Bruno Praxedes in the number 10 role.

Palmeiras possible starting lineup:
Jailson; Menino, Garcia, Gomez, Jorge; Danilo, De Paula; Rony, Veiga, Wesley; Adriano

Bragantino possible starting lineup:
Schwengber; Aderlan, Bruno, Ortiz, Edimar; Jadsom, Ramires; Artur, Helinho, Cuello; Ytalo

We say: Palmeiras 3-2 Bragantino

Both sides head into this fixture out of form, and although scoring goals has not been a problem, their defensive frailties have cost them on many occasions in recent weeks.

Goals are to be expected this weekend and we feel that the hosts, who have traditionally dominated on home soil against Bragantino, will do enough to secure all three points.

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