Game Information

Saturday 29th March – Kick-off – 21:30 (GMT)

São Paulo

Luis Zubeldía guided São Paulo to their highest finish in three seasons in 2024, securing a sixth place and booking a spot in the Copa Libertadores group stages.

So far this season, they reached the Campeonato Paulista semi-final but suffered a 1-0 loss away to Palmeiras. They will be disappointed with how they ended the campaign, winning just two of their last eight matches. The Tricolor will now be eager to start their 2025 Brasileirão campaign on the front foot.

Oscar returned to his boyhood club after spells with Internacional, Chelsea, and Shanghai Port. He was one of four signings, alongside Enzo Díaz, Cédric, and Wendell. Meanwhile, William Gomes left the club for Porto in a deal worth around €9 million. With these additions, São Paulo aims to strengthen their squad and push for a more competitive campaign both domestically and in the Copa Libertadores.

Sport Recife

Sport Recife spent three years playing in Serie B, finishing seventh twice, until they finally earned promotion back to the top flight last season with a third-place finish. Their last campaign amongst Brazil’s elite saw them relegated in 19th place.

Pepa remains in charge after guiding the team to promotion last season. To handle the demands of Série A football, he has brought in several new faces, including Gustavo Maia, Gonçalo Paciência, Hereda, Antonio Carlos, Matheus Alexandre, Hyoran, Rodrigo Atencio, Carlos Alberto, Pablo, João Pedro Eira Antunes Silva, Sérgio Oliveira, Lucas Cunha, Christian Rivera, Du Queiroz, and Arthur Sousa.

Pablo has been particularly impressive so far, scoring six goals in just 399 minutes of football.

Sport lead 3-2 over Retrô in the Pernambucano final, with the second leg still to play.

In the Copa do Nordeste, they have secured a place in the quarter-finals. They will now be hoping to hit the ground running in the Brasileirão.

Expected Lineups

Sport Recife – Caíque França, Hereda, Chico, João Silva, Igor Cariús, Rivera, Sérgio Oliveira, Lucas Lima, Chrystian Barletta, Lenny Lobato and Gonçalo Paciência.

São Paulo – Rafael, Cédric, Arboleda, Alan Franco, Enzo Díaz, Luiz Gustavo, Alisson, Oscar, Luciano, Lucas Ferreira and Calleri.

Prediction

São Paulo 2-0 Sport Recife