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

Palmeiras will host Internacional at the weekend in the Campeonato Brasileiro, and the home side will look to halt a poor run of league form that has seen them slip down to fifth position.

Internacional head into the weekend in seventh place, and they will look to move above Palmeiras in the table since they enter the weekend just a point adrift of their opponents.

Match preview

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Palmeiras started the season promisingly and after 13 league games, they sat at the top of the table, having accumulated 31 points.

However, in their 12 league encounters since, they have only managed to collect nine more points and as a result, Abel Ferreira's side have dropped down the table.

Although, they have managed to reach the Copa Libertadores final as they seek to defend the title they won a year ago, but in the league, they are on a five-game winless run.

Last weekend they suffered a disappointing 4-2 defeat at home to Bragantino and then in midweek, they played out a goalless draw with Bahia.

Ferreira and his side can take some confidence from the fact that they emerged victorious in the reverse fixture against Internacional back in June after goals from Deyerson and Danilo helped Palmeiras to a 2-0 victory on that occasion.

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After 11 matches Internacional were in 15th place and had only accumulated 11 points after winning just two games and as result, they sat 15 points adrift of Palmeiras.

However, in the 14 games since, Internacional have added 28 points and enter Sunday's encounter only a point behind their opponents.

Diego Aguirre's side enter the fixture on a three-match unbeaten run, and they are also in fine goalscoring touch after grabbing eight goals in their previous two games.

Last weekend, Internacional hosted Chapecoense and a hat-trick from Yuri Alberto was complemented by a goal each for Taison and Matheus, which guided the home side to a 5-2 victory.

Then in midweek, they continued to find the net at ease by winning 3-2 against America Mineiro courtesy of a brace from Patrick and another goal from the in-form Alberto, which means Internacional enter the weekend full of confidence.

Team News

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Weverton, Joaquin Piquerez and Gustavo Gomez are all available for Palmeiras after returning from international duty, and the trio are all expected to start on Sunday.

However, the hosts will be without Wesley, who was sent off against Bahia.

Ferreira will have both Marcos Rocha and Ze Rafael back available after the pair returned to training following injury problems.

Internacional will be without Bruno Mendez and Paolo Guerrero, who are out with thigh and knee issues respectively.

Vinicius Mello and Rodrigo Moledo are also out injured for the visitors.

Aguirre could name a similar team to the one that played in midweek against America Mineiro.

Palmeiras possible starting lineup:
Weverton; Rocha, Luan, Gomez, Piquerez; Melo, De Paula, Veiga; Dudu, Rony, Adriano

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

We say: Palmeiras 1-1 Internacional

We expect this contest to be a cagey affair and though Palmeiras have struggled in the league of late, we think they may have enough to collect a point on Sunday, and both sides may be content with sharing the spoils.