Preview: Cuiaba vs. Santos - prediction, team news, lineups

Santos make a trip to Arena Pantanal on Sunday morning, to challenge Cuiaba as both sides look to climb the table.

Without a win in each of their previous four league games, Santos will be looking to pick up all three points in this contest to set the record straight.

Match preview

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Newly-promoted Cuiaba are enjoying a decent return to the Brasileiro, where they are occupying 15th place, having garnered 21 points from 18 matches to hold a three-point safety buffer over the relegation places.

Last time out in the league, Dourado delivered a masterful performance to hold Fortaleza to a goalless draw on away soil, as they dug deep to match their opponent on the day.

Despite being underdogs heading into the game, Cuiaba could easily have won the match but had profligacy to blame, after failing to convert any of their 11 shots, including five on target.

Now, Dourado are unbeaten in their previous six matches, winning two in that time - 1-0 and 2-0 victories over Athletico Paranaense and Palmeiras respectively - and conceding only three goals.

It appears that defence is the foundation of what Jorginho is making an attempt to build at the Arena Pantanal, as he hopes to avoid relegation to keep his side in the Brasileiro at the end of the season.

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Formerly heavyweights in this division, Santos have gradually lost their place at the top of Brazilian football, having failed to clinch the league title since their triumph as far back as 2004.

Far from their utmost best last season, the eight-time champions could only muster an eighth place finish in the standings, to stay 17 points off the summit.

This time around, head coach Fernando Diniz is looking to lead the club to a better league finish but will have his work cut out for him to achieve this feat.

Santos, who are currently in 11th place, having picked up 22 points from 18 matches, have failed to win any of their previous four league games - most recently suffering a 4-0 hammering at the hands of reigning champions Flamengo.

Also, Peixe's away form is not encouraging, having only won one game on the road this season, with the solitary victory coming against basement club Chapecoense.

Team News

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Continuing his recovery from a broken foot, Caio Mota will not be available for this fixture.

Having accumulated too many yellow cards, midfielder Pepe is suspended for this game, and is likely to be replaced by Rafael Gava in the centre of the park.

Elton is Cuiaba's top scorer at the moment, but Jorginho is expected to continue to leave the 36-year-old on the bench, while favouring the partnership of Jenison and Yesus Cabrera up top.

Santos suffered a heavy defeat last time out, and head coach Fernando Diniz might consider tinkering his starting XI here.

Peixe's recovery room is quite full at the moment, as the likes of Luiz Felipe, Kaiky Melo, Marinho, John, Kevin Malthus, Sandry and Jobson continue to nurse their respective injuries.

Cuiaba possible starting lineup:
Walter; Lucas, Marllon, Paulao, Uendel; Camilo, Auremir, Gava, Clayson; Cabrera, Jenison

Santos possible starting lineup:
Paulo; Jonatan, W. Leonardo, Felipe, Madson; Mota, Camacho; Braga, Pirani, Sanchez; M. Leonardo

We say: Cuiaba 0-0 Santos

This is a difficult one to call as both sides are equally matched on paper, and desperate for a win to steer clear of the relegation zone.

Hence, we should expect a cautious game with the two teams happy to head home with a point in the bag.