MX23RW : Friday, June 18 21:09:42| >> :120:17266:17266:
Jun 17, 2021 at 11pm UK
SportSport Recife
1-0
GremioGremio
Sander (34')
Andre (37'), Maidana (43'), Roberto Moccelin (45+1'), Oliveira (70'), Trellez (75')
FT(HT: 1-0)

Henrique (45+1'), Fernando (48'), Kannemann (50'), Rafinha (54')

Preview: Sport Recife vs. Gremio - prediction, team news, lineups

Sports Mole previews Thursday's Brasileiro clash between Sport Recife and Gremio, including predictions, team news and possible lineups.

Gremio travel to Sport Recife on Thursday evening, with both sides searching for their first Campeonato Brasileiro Serie A victory of the season.

The hosts have failed to win any of their last five matches across all competitions, while the visitors have only claimed victory in one of their previous six outings.


Match preview

Sport Recife players in a huddle ahead of a match in October 2020© Reuters

Sport Recife are yet to open their account in the Campeonato Brasileiro Serie A, having suffered a narrow 1-0 defeat away at Fortaleza on Monday.

Umberto Louzer's side struggled to pose a threat in the final third and failed to have a single shot on target throughout the match.

With the scores level deep into the second half, Recife substitute Maxwell was shown a straight red card in the 73rd minute, after the referee and VAR deemed the winger to have stamped on Matheus Vargas.

A disappointing evening then got even worse, when Iago Maidana's handball inside the penalty area was spotted by the referee, who had no other choice than to point to the spot; Wellington Paulista converted the resulting spot-kick in the 79th minute, sealing all three points for the hosts.

That result has seen the Lions drop down to 16th place in the table, just above the relegation zone on goal difference.

Despite defeat, Sport Recife can take some confidence into Thursday's game, as they are unbeaten in their last four meetings against Gremio, and a win could see them climb as high as eighth in the table.

Gremio manager Tiago Nunes on May 28, 2021© Reuters

Gremio suffered their second successive league defeat when they lost 1-0 at home to Athletico Paranaense last weekend.

Despite dominating the game with 64% possession, the hosts were frustrated throughout the 90 minutes and Matheus Babi's effort on the stroke of half time proved to be the winning goal for the visitors.

The Immortal Tricolor are not currently living up to their nickname, having lost their opening two Campeonato Brasileiro Serie A fixtures, which as a result sees them sitting 19th in the table.

After a disappointing sixth-placed finish last season, Gremio are hoping to improve this campaign, though head coach Tiago Nunes will need to find a way to motivate his players quickly if they are to establish themselves at the top end of the division.

Gremio have failed to win each of their last four away meetings with Sport Recife, but a victory on Thursday could see them climb out of the relegation zone and as high as 14th in the table.

Sport Recife Brasileiro form:
  • D
  • L
  • L

Sport Recife form (all competitions):
  • W
  • D
  • L
  • D
  • L
  • L

Gremio Brasileiro form:
  • L
  • L

Gremio form (all competitions):
  • D
  • D
  • L
  • W
  • D
  • L


Team News

Gremio's Diego Souza celebrates scoring with Luiz Fernando in October 2020© Reuters

With Sport Recife winger Maxwell suspended, attacking midfield trio Marquinhos, Gustavo and Paulinho could all be in line to keep their places in the starting XI.

Either Mikael or Andre is expected to lead the line up front, with the latter set to be given the nod on Thursday, while experienced forward Santiago Trellez, who is yet to score in 2021, is likely to remain on the bench.

Ricardinho and Marcao are set to shield the back four in defensive midfield roles once again, though Ronaldo Henrique will be hoping he can force his way into the starting lineup.

As for Gremio, 20-year-old forward Ricardinho Viana – who has found the net nine times in his last 17 appearances across all competitions – could be handed a start in attack, although 35-year-old Diego Souza, who has scored 13 goals in 2021, is set to keep his place in Nunes's side.

He could be supported by the attacking threat of wingers Leo Pereira and Leo Chu, with both players still looking to get going for the season.

Jean Pyerre could return to the first XI and play in the number 10 role, while midfielders Matheus Henrique and Thiago dos Santos are expected to sit in front of a back four, which could include former Bayern Munich right-back Rafinha.

Sport Recife possible starting lineup:
Maylson; Hayner, Thyere, Sabino, Sander; Ricardinho, Marcao; Paulinho, Gustavo, Marquinhos; Andre

Gremio possible starting lineup:
Brenno; Rafinha, Geromel, Kannemann, Cortez; Henrique, Dos Santos; Chu, Pyerre, Pereira; Souza


SM words green background

We say: Sport Recife 2-1 Gremio

Neither team have begun the campaign the way they would had hoped, but at such an early stage in the season, there is still plenty of time to get back to winning ways and climb the league table.

Sport Recife have won five of their last eight meetings against Gremio, scoring at least twice in each victory, and with that in mind, we feel that they may edge a tight encounter at the Estadio Ilha do Retiro.



Top tip

Our expert tipster partners at Sporita.com are predicting under 3.5 goals in this match. Click here to find out what else they are predicting for this game and for more of their tried-and-tested football tips.Under 3.5:data


ID:451497:1false2false3false:QQ:: from db desktop :LenBod:collect11648:

How you voted: Sport vs Gremio

Sport Recife
Draw
Gremio
Sport Recife
68.0%
Draw
20.0%
Gremio
12.0%
25
Collect / Create New Data
Share this article now:
Did you know...?
Gael Clichy in action during the Premier League game between Manchester City and Arsenal on December 18, 2016
Read Next:
Man City confirm Gael Clichy exit
>
Sports Mole Logo
Enter your email address to subscribe to Sports Mole's free daily transfer newsletter! Sent twice a day during the transfer window.

rhs 2.0
Euro 2020 fixtures
Saturday, June 19, 2021
 
2pm
 
8pm
Sunday, June 20, 2021
 
5pm
Monday, June 21, 2021
 
8pm
 
8pm
Tuesday, June 22, 2021
Todays Game Header Right
Tables
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1FortalezaFortaleza431082610
2Athletico ParanaenseAthletico PR33005059
3Atletico Mineiro43014229
4BragantinoBragantino422010648
5Fluminense42204228
6PalmeirasPalmeiras42117347
7Bahia42118537
8Atletico GoianienseAtletico GO32103037
9FlamengoFlamengo22003036
10Corinthians411234-14
11Sport RecifeSport411234-14
12CearaCeara411257-24
13SantosSantos411235-24
14InternacionalInternacional411248-44
15Cuiaba302123-12
16Sao Paulo402214-32
17ChapecoenseChapecoense402227-52
18JuventudeJuventude402228-62
19America MineiroAmerica Mineiro401304-41
20Gremio300325-30

Subscribe to our Newsletter


Transfer Talk Daily
Match previews - twice weekly
Morning Briefing (7am UTC)
Ultra close-up image of Kevin De Bruyne [NOT FOR USE IN ARTICLES]Get the latest transfer news, match previews and news direct to your inbox!