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

Chapecoense travel to the Estadio Adelmar da Costa Carvalho where they will meet Sport Recife on Saturday, with both teams placed in the relegation zone.

The visitors currently occupy bottom spot in the Brasileiro, having not registered a single victory in the league this season, while Sport Recife are three points from safety after playing 17 matches.

Match preview

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Umberto Louzer's side have lost their last two outings in the Brasileiro, but throughout this campaign Sport Recife have not registered three defeats on the bounce, so they will look to carry that record on this weekend.

Last time out, Sport Recife faced Sao Paulo and an early goal from Pablo was enough to seal the three points for the away side, who were limited to few chances in front of Mailson's goal.

Prior to Recife's last two games, the team kept four clean sheets in a row and their defensive record is more in line with a team that should be higher up in the table, conceding just 14 goals in 17 games, the second-best record in Brazil.

However, their form in front of goal is a major factor as to why the team find themselves in the relegation zone, only finding the back of the net on eight occasions, the lowest in the league.

That stat looks unlikely to change this weekend, with Sport Recife drawing a blank in their last three games, despite registering 13 shots on target in that time.

Chapecoense manager Pintado has managed to lift the side's results slightly since taking charge from August 10, recording two draws in their last two outings.

On Saturday, the 20th-placed team travelled to Atletico Goianiense, who are pushing for a Copa Libertadores spot, and the visitors were only denied the three points in the 93rd minute when Joao Paulo put his penalty past Keiller.

Chapecoense have only managed one clean sheet this campaign, but they came very close to securing their second last weekend which they will take confidence from going into their game against Sport Recife.

The Chape Terror's away form is slightly better than their home form, picking up two more points away from the Arena Conda, also scoring six more goals than they have managed at home.

With Chapecoense having conceded 29 goals this season, Saturday may present Sport Recife with a good opportunity to increase their goals tally, and victory could pull them out of the relegation zone.

Team News

After picking up his third yellow card of the season on Monday, Sport Recife's top goalscorer Andre will serve his one-match suspension this weekend.

Everaldo, Joao Igor, Leandro Barcia and Neilton all continue to be absent for Louzer's side, but they are all expected to return to action soon.

Winger Gustavo will also be missing this weekend as he continues to recover from a thigh injury he picked up in the middle of August. Everton is expected to come into the starting lineup in Gustavo's absence.

Chapecoense centre-back Kadu served his one-match suspension last time out against Atletico GO, and he is likely to come back into the starting 11 against Sport Recife.

Seven players are currently being treated in the physio room, including three central defenders Derlan, Ignacio and Felipe Santana, adding to Pintado's side's struggles at the back.

Alan Santos, Anderson Leite and Denner are expected to continue their roles in midfield for Chapecoense, having started the last two games under new manager Pintado.

Sport Recife possible starting lineup:
Mailson; Sander, Sabino, Henrique, Hayner; Marcao, Welison; Paulinho, Hernanes, Everton; Mikael

Chapecoense possible starting lineup:
Keiller; Busanello, Jordan, Kadu, Ribeiro; Leite, Santos; Silva, Denner, Mike; Anselmo

We say: Sport Recife 0-1 Chapecoense

After coming very close to recording their first victory of the season last time out, Chapecoense will be targeting this game as a good opportunity to seal three points, taking confidence from their performance against Atletico GO.

The scoring stats from Sport Recife suggests that the home side will struggle to find the back of the net on Saturday, giving the advantage to Chapecoense.