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

Still in the race for a top four finish, Internacional host rock-bottom Chapecoense on Sunday, in the Campeonato Brasileiro.

Both sides picked up a point from their last Serie A outing, as Inter were held by Ceara, while Chape upset the odds by pulling off a 2-2 draw with the league leaders.

Match preview

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After a narrow 1-0 defeat to runaway table-toppers Atletico Mineiro at the start of the month - which ended an eight-game unbeaten streak - Internacional were again unable to hit the opposition net in midweek, as they recorded a goalless draw with Ceara.

Having progressed up the standings due to a superb run of form since July, following their exit from the Copa Libertadores on penalties, Inter are now one of several teams battling for a place in South America's premier club competition next term, amid a tightly-packed top half of the table.

Celeiro de Ases sit eighth ahead of the weekend's action, and lie just six points behind second-placed Flamengo - albeit having played two more games than their Rio counterparts. Their goal drought over the past 180 minutes may highlight their lack of punch in the penalty area, but Aguirre has a well-marshalled defence to fall back upon; boasting one of the better rearguard records in the Brazilian top flight.

However, enduring back-to-back matches without a win has slowed their surge, so head coach Diego Aguirre will be keen to return to winning ways on home soil, as his side now face demonstrably the weakest team in the division.

At their Estadio Beira-Rio headquarters, Inter have won just four of their 10 league fixtures so far, though, so should avoid taking victory for granted against a club they have beaten in both of their last two meetings in Porto Alegre.

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Though they still have only one win to show for their efforts this season, Chapecoense have undoubtedly improved over recent weeks - at least retaining a veneer of pride before they fall through the trapdoor to Serie B.

Bottom of the table with only 12 points - fully 13 adrift of safety - the Santa Catarina side were able to beat Bragantino in mid-September, before an impressive pair of draws over the past few days.

Chape's hopes of survival may be long gone, but their character in achieving draws with Sao Paulo and then - most improbably - leaders Atletico Mineiro, cannot be questioned. They went without the ball for long spells in either match, yet still eked out creditable results against two of the league's best resourced clubs.

Jair Ventura's team, though, have struggled to shut down their opponents all season long, conceding the joint-most goals to date (38) and their last clean sheet came back in June.

In fact, two of the many goals they have leaked since shutting out Ceara came at the hands of this Sunday's opponents, when Inter won 2-1 at Arena Conda thanks to first-half strikes from Caio and Yuri Alberto.

Team News

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Inter prepare for Sunday's game with several players expected to return to the fold, allowing Diego Aguirre to tweak his midweek lineup.

Argentinian defender Victor Cuesta - who served a suspension for yellow card accumulation last time out - is now available and expected to start, while Gabriel Boschilia (knee) and Taison (flu), both late withdrawals on Wednesday, should also be fit for selection.

However, Heitor and Colombian forward Juan Manuel Cuesta, both suffering with muscular issues, will continue to be evaluated by the medical department ahead of kickoff.

The influential Edenilson - who has contributed to more goals than any other player in Serie A so far - is currently at the service of the Brazilian national team, so Caio Vidal should deputise once more.

Chape, meanwhile, have Joilson, Vagner and young striker Perotti among those currently sidelined, but are unlikely to alter the XI which achieved a fine draw in midweek too much.

Therefore, Mike should start up front, having netted just his third league goal of the season on Wednesday, while goalkeeper Keiller is again expected to be busy between the posts for the away side.

Internacional possible starting lineup:
Daniel; Moises, Cuesta, Mendez, Saravia; Lindoso, Dourado, Taison; Patrick, Caio, Alberto

Chapecoense possible starting lineup:
Keiller; Ribeiro, Jordan, Derlan, Busanello; Melz, Junior, Moises, Geuvanio; Mike, Bruno

We say: Internacional 1-0 Chapecoense

With fans back in Estadio Beira-Rio for the first time in many months, Inter are set to be cheered along to their first victory in three games - kick-starting their charge for a place in the Copa Libertadores next term.

Though they have been more competitive in recent times, Chapecoense are doomed to demotion and will now run out of good fortune, having ridden their luck in clinging on to successive points over the past week.