In-form Bragantino make the trip to Rio de Janeiro to face Vasco da Gama in the Brazilian Serie A on Saturday night.
Vasco qualified for continental football last season, while Bragantino narrowly avoided the drop, but this season, the roles have been reversed, with the visitors battling near the summit after 10 matches.
Match preview
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Playing in the Copa Sudamericana appears to be taking its toll on Vasco da Gama so far this season, as their league form has suffered alongside their commitments on the continent.
Fernando Diniz's men beat Peruvian side Melgar on Tuesday night in what was a must-win encounter to keep their Sudamericana adventure alive, leapfrogging their opponents courtesy of a 3-0 win.
Vasco will now compete in the playoffs for a spot in the last 16 later in the year, but before Serie A goes on a month-long break midway through June, they will look to move away from relegation danger.
Form has been very underwhelming though, because they were beaten 2-1 at Fluminense last weekend, meaning they enter this clash down in 15th, just a point above the dotted line.
That result came only a few days after Diniz's side needed penalties to see off second-tier Operario in the last 32 of the Brazilian Cup, so the home crowd will want to see a good performance in this one, accompanied by three points.
Vasco go to Sao Paulo before the break, and the results of these two matches could dictate whether they go into it in the bottom four, or in the Sudamericana qualifying places.
There are no such worries for Bragantino, who are among a cluster of four clubs who look in with a shout of the title at this early stage.
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For a club who went into the final day last year with their fate out of their own hands in terms of relegation, the change in fortunes has been dramatic, with Fernando Seabra guiding the club up the standings.
Just two points separate Bragantino with league leaders Palmeiras, as 20 points from 10 games marks a wonderful start for the Red Bull group's club.
After losing 2-1 to Palmeiras a couple of weeks ago, responding in fine fashion against Juventude last time out was hugely important, and sets them in fine stead ahead of this potentially tricky away day.
Matches on the road rarely yield many points anywhere in Brazil, but Bragantino have only lost once in their first four away matches this season, and they snatched a point from their last such encounter, away to Gremio, when Isidro Pitta levelled the scoreline on 89 minutes, less than 100 seconds after going behind.
Bragantino's final fixture before the break comes at home to Bahia, so Seabra will certainly be targeting two wins before then, and that could easily leave them top of the standings.
Team News
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Vasco will be without both Hugo Moura and Luiz Gustavo due to suspension here, after both picked up their third booking of the campaign against Fluminense last week, with the latter collecting those cautions in just four appearances.
On the injury list, French veteran Dimitri Payet is doubtful with a knee issue, while the same problem will sideline both David and Guilherme Estrella.
At 36, Pablo Vegetti has been in sensational form for Vasco this season, as only Giorgian De Arrascaeta has more league goals than his tally of seven, and the veteran striker notched his fourth Sudamericana goal in midweek too, but he did put through his own net in the defeat to Fluminense a week ago.
Just a matter of days after scoring a hat trick in a 6-0 win over Criciuma, Bragantino's Lucas Barbosa was sent off late on in their victory over Juventude last weekend, and will miss this clash.
Guzman Rodriguez is also suspended after he picked up a third caution last week, and will join injured quartet Lucao, Henry Mosquera, Fernando dos Santos and Agustin Sant'Anna on the sidelines.
Vasco da Gama possible starting lineup:
Leo Jardim; Paulo Henrique, Joao Victor, Lucas Freitas, Lucas Piton; Tche Tche, Mateus Carvalho, Adson; Rayan, Vegetti, Nuno Moreira
Bragantino possible starting lineup:
Cleiton; Hurtado, Pedro Henrique, Eduardo Santos, Juninho Capixaba; Gabriel, Eric Ramires, Jhon Jhon; Borbas, Eduardo Sasha, Laquintana
We say: Vasco da Gama 1-1 Bragantino
Bragantino are in much better shape, and have taken an impressive seven points from a possible 12 on the road this season, but it is difficult to continue picking up wins away from home in this league.
Vasco need to utilise home advantage wisely given their current predicament, and even though there may be some tired legs from their midweek win, they should be competitive here.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
Andrew Delaney
