Preview: Internacional vs. Sao Paulo – Predictions, Team News, and Lineups – Update

Internacional take on Sao Paulo at the Estadio Beira-Rio on Wednesday evening, in the latest round of Brasileiro fixtures.

The hosts are currently 14th in the table, just two points behind 11th-placed Sao Paulo, who they will leapfrog in the table if they secure a victory.

Match preview

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With just over a third of the Brasileiro season still to play, Internacional are in with a shout of finishing in the top 12, which would grant them qualification to the group stages of next season’s Copa Sudamericana.

However, the Reds will also be looking over their shoulder, considering they are just five points above the relegation zone, not least because of their very poor record in front of goal.

Eduardo Coudet‘s side have scored just 17 league goals so far this season, the second-fewest of any side in the division, and their lack of cutting edge in attack has been particularly on show in recent weeks.

Internacional are now without a goal in their last three league games, playing out goalless draws in their last two games, but the Copa Libertadores has been a very welcome distraction.

After defeating Bolivar 3-0 over two legs, the Reds are now through to the semi-final of South America’s elite competition, with an away trip to Fluminense pencilled in at the end of the month.

Sao Paulo have not fared quite as well in the cup competitions, recently exiting the Copa Sudamericana at the quarter-final stage, after losing to Ecuadorian side LDU Quito over two legs.

In fact, the Tricolor Paulista’s recent form has been very underwhelming in general, winning just one of their last six matches, but they still remain in the top 12, and just eight points off the top six, with a game in hand.

Dorival Junior‘s side have taken three points from their last five games, the same amount as their upcoming opponents, but they have managed to come out on top in the majority of the recent matches between the two sides, which could have a bearing on Wednesday’s result.

Sao Paulo have won three, drawn one and lost one of their last five games against Internacional, most recently running out 2-0 winners at the Estadio do Morumbi back in May, courtesy of goals from Luciano and Pablo Maia.

Internacional Brasileiro form:

Internacional form (all competitions):

Sao Paulo Brasileiro form:

Sao Paulo form (all competitions):

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Team News

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Internacional will be without long-term absentee Dalbert, with the defender still missing due to a knee injury, but Coudet otherwise has a fully-fit squad to choose from.

The only other players missing are Rodrigo Moledo and Luiz Adriano, who both miss out through suspension, and the latter’s absence means Enner Valencia is poised to lead the line for the hosts.

Sao Paulo have a few more players sidelined, with Erison unavailable due to a muscle injury, while Patryck misses out because of an ankle injury.

A long-term knee injury means Giuliano Galoppo will not be involved on Wednesday, while Caio Paulista is making progress towards a return from injury, but is unlikely to get any minutes against Internacional.

Internacional possible starting lineup:
Rochet; Bustos, Mallo, Mercado, Rene; Gabriel, Aranguiz, De Pena, Patrick, Wanderson; Valencia

Sao Paulo possible starting lineup:
Rafael; Rafinha, Arboleda, Beraldo, Welington; Alisson, Maia, Luciano, Moura, Nestor; Calleri

We say: Internacional 0-0 Sao Paulo

Both sides are in poor form in the Brasileiro, with Internacional drawing their last two games 0-0, and Sao Paulo have not scored more than one goal in their last four games.

As such, we think Wednesday’s game could end up finishing as a stalemate.

For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.

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