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

Basement club Gremio host Santos in the Campeonato Brasileiro Serie A on Wednesday, hoping to claim their first victory of the season.

Tiago Nunes's side have yet to pick up a single point in the league so far, while the visitors have accumulated seven points from a possible 15 available.

Match preview

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Gremio's last fixture away at Cuiaba was postponed on Sunday as the pitch was not deemed suitable for play.

The Chilean national team, who have been competing in the 2021 Copa America this month, trained and played on the pitch at the Arena Pantanal against Bolivia two days earlier, but as the grass was damaged, the officials decided to call the game off.

Nunes's men now turn their attention to Wednesday's encounter with Santos and head into the game having lost all of their opening three league matches.

Gremio were defeated 3-2 away at Ceara on the opening day in May, before narrowly losing 1-0 to both Athletico Paranaense and Sport Recife earlier this month.

The Immortal Tricolor are currently rock bottom of the league table, although a win in midweek could see them climb out of the relegation zone.

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After being sacked by Sao Paulo earlier this year, Santos head coach Fernando Diniz managed to get one over his former side last weekend as they won 2-0 on home soil.

First-half strikes from Marinho and Gabriel Pirani were enough to claim all three points for the Alvinegro, who have had a slow start to their 2021 campaign.

Santos have won just two of their opening five Campeonato Brasileiro Serie A matches and the eight-time champions currently sit ninth in the table, five points behind league leaders Athletico Paranaense.

The Alvinegro have won just three of their last eight meetings against Gremio, but a victory on Wednesday could see them move into the top four.

Team News

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Gremio will be without goalkeeper Brenno who has tested positive for coronavirus, while Maicon Souza (calf), Leo Gomes (knee) Elias Manoel and Alisson (both ankle) are all ruled out with injuries.

Thirty-five-year-old Diego Souza, who has scored 13 goals in 2021, is set to keep his place in Nunes's side, although 20-year-old forward Ricardinho – who has found the net nine times in his last 18 appearances across all competitions – is hoping to force his way into the first XI.

After joining on loan from Juventus in May, Douglas Costa will be hoping he can start his first match for the club on the left wing, which could see Ferreira or Luiz Fernando drop to the bench as a result.

Santos remain without Sandry Roberto, Jobson, Carlos Sanchez and Rafael Longuine, who are all suffering with anterior cruciate ligament injuries, while Raniel is also ruled out with an Achilles problem.

Right-back Para started the last match and could keep his place in the back four ahead of Madson, who is set to begin on the bench once again.

Highly-rated forward Kaio Jorge is expected to lead the line up front and the 19-year-old could be supported in attack by wingers Marinho and Marcos Guilherme.

Gremio possible starting lineup:
Victor; Rafinha, Geromel, Kannemann, Cortez; Henrique, Dos Santos; Fernando, Jhonata, Costa; Souza

Santos possible starting lineup:
John; Para, Peres, Felipe, Jonatan; Mota, Camacho; Marinho, Pirani, Guilherme; Jorge

We say: Gremio 1-2 Santos

The last encounter between the two sides saw an entertaining 3-3 draw played out in February, and Wednesday's fixture could also see both sides find the net.

Gremio are desperate to claim their first points of the league campaign, but we feel that Santos should have enough to secure a slender victory at the Arena do Gremio.