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

Chapecoense will look to put an end to a torrid run of results when they host Santos in Brasileiro on Sunday.

The Santa Catarina side are rock bottom of the table after 13 games, while Peixe are also struggling for form in 12th.

Match preview

© Reuters

After claiming the second tier title last season, Chapecoense are finding life very tough back in the top flight under former Santos boss Jair Ventura, who was appointed at the end of May.

Verdao are yet to win a league game and have not picked up a victory in any competition since beating Serie D side ABC in the Copa do Brasil at the start of June.

It means that Chapecoense are currently sat on only four points – seven adrift of safety – having conceded the most goals in the division (24).

Only one of those four points have been picked up at home, where they have suffered five defeats in six games and scored just three goals.

A 1-0 defeat away to Juventude last time out was a sixth successive loss, but they do face 19th-placed Gremio next weekend in what could be a key fixture in the fight for survival.

© Reuters

There could also be reason for Ventura's side to be optimistic going into Sunday's game, as Santos have the worst away record in Brasileiro – losing four and drawing two of their six games on the road; they have also conceded a league high 13 away goals.

Peixe eased to a 4-0 victory in the first leg of their Copa do Brasil round of 16 tie against fourth-tier side Juazeirense on Wednesday, but in the league they have won just one of their last six matches.

Fernando Diniz will have been pleased to see his team show a more clinical side in the cup, as they average the second most shots per game in the division (15.4), but rank eighth for goals scored (15).

Like their hosts, Santos are also gearing up for a vital fixture next week, as they face a Sao Paulo derby against Corinthians.

The Alvinegro have won six of their previous nine games against Chapecoense, including both fixtures between the two sides in the 2019 season.

Team News

© Reuters

Chapecoense went back to a four-man defence against Juventude and looked a little more solid, so Ventura should stick with the same system here.

However, he will have to make a change at centre-back following the news that Ignacio has ruptured a knee ligament.

Verdao will be boosted by the return of Anselmo Ramon upfront though, as the striker was suspended last time out.

Santos teenager Kaio Jorge is reportedly close to signing for Juventus, so may be absent at Arena Conda.

Winger Marinho, who is the team's joint top scorer in Brasileiro this season with four goals, is suspended and is likely to be replaced by Lucas Braga.

Chapecoense possible starting lineup:
Paulo; Ribeiro, Laercio, Derlan, Busanello; Ribeiro, Leite, Lima; Fernandinho, Ramon, Geuvanio

Santos possible starting lineup:
Paulo; Madson, Felipe, Kaiky, Jonatan; Camacho, Mota; Braga, Sanchez, Guilherme; M. Leonardo

We say: Chapecoense 1-2 Santos

Santos's away form is cause for concern, but they still go into this game as heavy favourites given Chapecoense's winless start to the campaign. The visitors will have taken confidence from their cup win in midweek and should pick up the three points.