Atlético Mineiro v Grêmio

Atlético Mineiro head into this fixture sitting in 11th place in the Brasileirão table with six wins, six draws, and five defeats from their opening 17 matches. Their recent form has shown signs of stability, as they remain unbeaten in their last two league outings — a run they’ll be eager to extend.

Last time out in the league, they travelled to Vasco da Gama and came away with a 1–1 draw, a result that kept their momentum ticking over. In midweek, Atlético faced a stern test in continental competition against Godoy Cruz of Argentina in the Copa Sudamericana. Despite falling behind, they showed resilience and quality to turn things around, with Tomás Cuello and Hulk finding the net in a hard-fought 2–1 victory.

That result not only sets them up nicely for the next leg but also injects confidence into the squad ahead of this domestic clash. Atlético will now aim to carry that fighting spirit back into league action as they look to climb closer to the top half of the table.

It’s been a tough period for Grêmio, who have managed just one win in their last eight league matches. Their recent struggles have been compounded by back-to-back defeats, leaving the side in need of a turnaround in form.

Last time out, Grêmio suffered a shock 1–0 home defeat to Sport Recife — a side who had yet to record a win in the Brasileirão this season. It was a flat performance that highlighted their current issues and will no doubt have left supporters frustrated.

Currently sitting 15th in the table with five wins, five draws, and eight defeats from 18 matches, Grêmio find themselves just four points clear of the relegation zone. With pressure mounting, they’ll be desperate to put things right in this fixture and begin pulling themselves away from danger.

Prediction – 2-1

Santos v Vasco da Gama

Santos come into this clash on the back of a much-needed upturn in form, having won their last two matches. The recent revival has lifted them to 14th in the table with six wins, three draws, and nine defeats from 18 games.

Last time out, they produced one of the surprises of the round with a 2–1 away victory over Cruzeiro. Despite falling behind to a first-half goal from Fabrício Bruno, Santos responded brilliantly. Guilherme brought them level before Gustavo Caballero struck the winner, completing a memorable turnaround on the road.

For Santos, it was a statement result against a side fighting near the top of the Brasileirão, and they will be eager to use that performance as a springboard. A win here could see them climb as high as 11th.

Vasco da Gama continue to struggle for form, with just one win in their last nine matches — and that lone victory came in the cup against lower-league opposition. Their league campaign has been disappointing, and they remain in the relegation zone.

Last time out, Vasco earned a 1–1 draw against Atlético Mineiro. They were put on the back foot early when Gabriel Menino struck for the hosts, but Pablo Vegetti kept his composure from the penalty spot to secure a share of the points. While a draw against a top-half side offered some encouragement, Vasco’s lack of wins continues to be a major concern.

Currently sitting inside the bottom four with four wins, four draws, and nine defeats, Vasco trail Vitória by three points. Turning around their poor run is now essential, as they risk being cut adrift if their slump continues.

Prediction – 1-0

Internacional v Flamengo

This fixture carries an extra layer of intrigue, as Internacional and Flamengo are set to meet three times in quick succession — twice in the Copa Libertadores knockout stages and once in the league. Having already clashed in midweek, when Flamengo edged a 1–0 victory thanks to Bruno Henrique’s first-half strike, both sides will now lock horns again with plenty of familiarity and added tension.

For Internacional, league form has been underwhelming. After 18 matches, they sit mid-table on 24 points with a perfectly balanced record of six wins, six draws, and six defeats. Their inconsistency has been a major source of frustration, and they’ll be desperate to find some momentum. Encouragingly, their last league outing brought a 3–1 away win over Red Bull Bragantino — a much-needed boost that showed what they’re capable of when they click.

Flamengo, on the other hand, are flying. The Rubro-Negro lead the way in the Brasileirão, sitting top of the table with 12 wins, four draws, and just two defeats from their 18 matches. They’ve lost only twice all season and come into this match on the back of a confident 2–1 victory over Mirassol. Flamengo hold a three-point cushion at the top, though several of their rivals have a game in hand, so they know there’s no room for complacency.

With both teams also preparing for their decisive second leg in the Libertadores, this league meeting will serve as both a psychological and tactical battle. Internacional need consistency to climb the table, while Flamengo are determined to maintain their lead at the top.

Prediction – 2-2

Botafogo v Palmeiras

The rivalry between Botafogo and Palmeiras has been heating up in recent seasons, and this clash promises to add another fiery chapter. The two sides most recently met in the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup Round of 16, where Palmeiras came out on top after a tense encounter, winning thanks to an extra-time clincher from Paulinho.

The defending Brasileirão champions come into this fixture sitting 5th in the table with eight wins, five draws, and four defeats from 17 matches. Last time out in the league, they demolished Fortaleza in a 5–0 thrashing, a performance that showcased their attacking power. In midweek Copa Libertadores action, Botafogo claimed a narrow but important 1–0 win over LDU Quito, with Artur scoring inside the first minute to set the tone. With another Libertadores tie looming, manager choices around rotation could play a big part here.

Palmeiras, meanwhile, look strong both domestically and on the continental stage. They currently sit 3rd in the Brasileirão with 11 wins, three draws, and three defeats, and crucially, they have games in hand on their title rivals — one on leaders Flamengo and two on Cruzeiro, who are just a point ahead. In their most recent league match, Palmeiras showed resilience, overturning an early deficit to beat Ceará 2–1 at home.

In the Copa Libertadores midweek, Palmeiras cruised to a 4–0 win over Universitario, racing into a 3–0 lead by half-time before finishing the job after the break. That dominant performance gives them a huge cushion for the second leg, meaning they’re likely to field a stronger side in this league fixture compared to Botafogo, who may prioritise continental commitments.

This game pits two giants in excellent form against each other, with recent history adding spice after their Club World Cup clash. Botafogo may have to juggle priorities and manage their squad carefully, while Palmeiras arrive with confidence and momentum, knowing victory here could keep the pressure on Flamengo at the top.

Prediction 2-1

Mirassol v Cruzeiro

Mirassol’s excellent run of form finally came to an end last time out as they suffered a narrow 2–1 defeat to Flamengo, bringing to a close a remarkable streak of nine consecutive victories. Despite the result, Mirassol put in a strong performance, creating several good chances, but ultimately struggled to match the clinical finishing and raw power of the league leaders.

Their season overall has been nothing short of impressive. After 17 matches, Mirassol sit 7th in the Brasileirão with a record of seven wins, seven draws, and just three defeats. That consistency has kept them firmly in the top half of the table and in the mix for continental qualification.

Heading into this fixture, Mirassol will be determined to bounce back immediately. Their performances suggest they have the resilience and quality to respond positively, and they’ll view this as a chance to prove that the loss to Flamengo was only a minor setback in what has been a standout campaign so far.

Cruzeiro will also be eager to return to winning ways after a dip in form that has seen them lose twice in their last five matches. Their most recent setback came at home against Santos, where, despite taking the lead just before halftime, they were pegged back by two second-half goals and ultimately fell to a 2–1 defeat.

That result leaves Cruzeiro sitting 2nd in the Brasileirão after 19 matches, with a record of 11 wins, four draws, and four losses. However, their position comes with a caveat — they have already played two more games than Palmeiras, who are just behind them, and one more than Flamengo, who sit top of the table. At present, Cruzeiro trails Flamengo by three points, but the extra matches played mean the pressure is on to maintain momentum.

If they are serious about mounting a title challenge, Cruzeiro will need to show more consistency in their performances. Dropped points could prove costly, especially with Flamengo and Palmeiras both looking strong and in rhythm. The one potential advantage Cruzeiro might have is that their rivals will be tied up with Copa Libertadores action, which could open the door for them to close the gap if they can capitalise.

Prediction 2-2