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

Chapecoense host Palmeiras on Saturday, fresh off their first win of the season, after they managed to beat Bragantino last time out.

The visitors come into the contest off the back of a disappointing 3-1 defeat at home to Flamengo, and they will be searching for a much-needed three points to stay in the fight for top spot.

Match preview

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Chapecoense enter the fixture with an air of confidence after the victory against Bragantino and will aim to make it two wins in two games against Palmeiras.

Against Bragantino, they went into half time 1-0 down but equalised in the 78th minute, and then Chapecoense dramatically won the game in the fifth minute of stoppage time, thanks to Anselmo's fine header.

Despite that victory, Saturday's hosts are still rooted to the foot of the table, with only 10 points to their name and they are yet to win at home this season.

After winning promotion from the second tier last campaign, they will need to build on their first victory of the season if they are to have any chance of remaining in the top flight, and the home side will be boosted by their last five games, where they have lost only once, albeit collecting three draws in that period.

Chapecoense head into the weekend 12 points away from safety and for that gap to close they need to improve their home form that has yielded only five goals in nine games for the home side, while they have conceded 15 times across their home league fixtures.

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Although Palmeiras currently sit second in the table, their recent form has been far from encouraging, winning only once in their last six league outings.

Their last fixture ended disappointingly despite taking the lead through Wesley, they conceded three goals to lose to a title rival in the form of Flamengo, who now sit a point behind Palmeiras with two games in hand.

The visitors' season started positively and at the start of August, they sat top of the standings - a point clear of second place - after only losing twice in their opening 14 fixtures.

Unfortunately for Palmeiras, they have now lost four times in their last five league games and if they have title aspirations, results need to improve quickly, starting with this weekend's encounter.

They will be boosted by the fact that they have emerged victorious in their last four games against Saturday's opponents, which included a 3-1 win back in June.

Team News

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Chapecoense have some injury absentees heading into the Palmeiras clash, as Felipe Santana, Vagner and Tiepo are all out injured.

Joilson, Ronei and Ignacio are all getting closer to a return, but they will not feature on Saturday.

An accumulation of yellow cards means the hosts will be without the scorer of the winner in their previous game, as Anselmo is suspended.

Palmeiras will be without left-back Jorge who is still out injured, therefore Joaquin Piquerez will continue in his place.

Ze Rafael was sent off late on against Flamengo, which means Patrick de Paula is likely to come into midfield for a starting berth.

Rony will lead the line and will be desperate to add to the one league goal he has managed this term.

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

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

We say: Chapecoense 1-1 Palmeiras

After picking up their first win of the season last time out, Chapecoense will be confident of getting something from this game, although winning against the side in second place may prove too tall of a task.

Palmeiras will want to win this one to get their title charge back on track, but they may have to settle for a point.