Preview: Chapecoense vs. Internacional - prediction, team news, lineups

Internacional will want to put a tricky start to the Brasileiro campaign behind them when they travel to newly-promoted Chapecoense on Thursday.

Inter, who finished runners-up last season, are 13th in the table after the opening five matches, two points ahead of Verdao in 16th.

Match preview

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Internacional drew 1-1 with Ceara last time out, with Edenilson giving them the lead from the penalty spot early on before Lima pegged them back on the stroke of half time.

It was Diego Aguirre's first game back in charge after replacing the sacked Miguel Angel Ramirez; this is Aguirre's second spell in charge and he also turned out for Inter as a player.

Inter have only won one of their first five league matches of the campaign, although that did come away from home; a 1-0 triumph over Bahia.

No team has conceded more goals in the Brasileiro so far this season than the Porto Alegre outfit (nine), while three of their five goals scored have been Edenilson penalties.

Aguirre will hope that the next week gives him a chance to turn the club's fortunes around, as after travelling to Arena Conda they face another newly-promoted side, America Mineiro, on Monday.

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However, Chapecoense are no pushovers, as they proved in their last game, a 1-1 draw with last year's third-placed side Atletico Mineiro. Ravanelli equalised from the penalty spot in the 80th minute after Tche Tche had given Atletico a first-half lead.

It meant that the Santa Catarina side are still yet to win in the Brasileiro this season, but after defeat in their opening two games, a third draw in a row does suggest they are becoming harder to beat.

Chapecoense won the second tier title last season, securing an immediate return to the top flight after relegation in 2019. However, manager Umberto Louzer was snapped up by Sport Recife and replaced by Mozart, who only lasted eight games before being sacked; Jair Ventura, appointed in May, has been tasked with keeping the club in the top flight.

Yet it does not get any easier for Verdao, who are just a point above the relegation zone, as they travel to league leaders Athletico Paranaense on Monday.

In the last five meetings between Chapecoense and Internacional, the home side has always come out on top. Internacional were 1-0 victors in their last encounter in September 2019 when Rodrigo Lindoso scored an 86th-minute winner.

Team News

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Mancha may return at left-back for Chapecoense after not being 100% fit to feature against Atletico Mineiro.

There could also be a start for fellow youngster Bruno Silva on the left wing after he came on at half time on Tuesday and made the team much more dangerous going forward.

Chapecoense have only netted three league goals this season and two of the scorers – Kaio and Busanello – are currently sidelined.

Internacional's top scorer last season, 37-year-old Paolo Guerrero, remains out with a cruciate ligament rupture.

Fellow forward Carlos Palacios is currently away representing Chile at the Copa America.

In their absence, Thiago Galhardo and Yuri Alberto have been the first choice strike partnership, but neither have found the back of the net in the Brasileiro so far.

Chapecoense possible starting lineup:
Paulo; Ribeiro, Santana, Ignacio, Mancha; Lima, Ravanelli, Leite, Silva; Fernandinho, Ramon

Internacional possible starting lineup:
Daniel; Heitor, Cuesta, Ribeiro, Borges; Patrick, Lindoso, Edenilson, Ramos; Alberto, Galhardo

We say: Chapecoense 0-0 Internacional

Chapecoense look to gradually be adapting to life back in the top flight and will now be eager to get their first win on the board. Internacional are not their usual selves, so could be easier prey than normal, but we think that this one will end all square.