Game Information

Sunday 30th March – Kick-off – 22:30 (GMT)

Vasco da Gama

Vasco da Gama had a decent campaign last season finishing in tenth place and earning a place in the Copa Sudamericana. They will be hoping to improve on that this season.

Their start to 2025 has been encouraging, with progress in the Copa do Brasil after overcoming União Rondonópolis and Nova Iguaçu. However, their campaign in the Campeonato Carioca ended in disappointment, falling to Flamengo 3-1 on aggregate in the semifinals.

Fábio Carille took charge of the club in 2025 and has brought in Tche Tche, David, Hugo Moura, Daniel Fuzato, Lucas Oliveira, Mauricio Lemos, Benjamin Garre, Nuno Moreira, and Loide Augusto.

Santos

Neymar’s return to his boyhood club was the talk of the Brazilian summer, exciting not only Santos fans but football supporters from around the world. However, they will have to wait a little longer to see him play in the Brasileirão after he picked up an injury during the state championships and will miss the upcoming fixture.

Also returning to the club is Deivid Washington, one of several reinforcements, including Benjamin Rollheiser, Alvaro Barreal, Gabriel Veron, Tiquinho Soares, Thaciano, Leonardo Godoy, Luisao, Ze Ivaldo, Gonzalo Escobar, and Ze Rafael.

Santos secured promotion back to the top flight at the first attempt last season, winning the Serie B title. With the signings they’ve made, they will be hoping for a finish toward the top end of the table.

Expected Lineups

Peixe’s state championship campaign saw them suffer a 2-1 loss to Corinthians in the Semi-Final.

Vasco da Gama – Léo Jardim, Paulo Henrique, João Victor, Maurício Lemos, Lucas Piton, Hugo Moura, Paulinho, Coutinho, Nuno Moreira, Garré, and Vegetti

Santos – Gabriel Brazão, JP Chermont, Gil, Zé Ivaldo, Escobar, João Schmidt, Gabriel Bontempo, Thaciano, Soteldo, Guilherme and Tiquinho Soares

Prediction

Vasco da Gama 1-1 Santos