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

Palmeiras will look to keep hold of their spot in the top three of the Campeonato Brasileiro Serie A table on Wednesday, when they make the trip to Porto Alegre to take on Internacional.

Abel Ferreira's side currently occupy third spot with 13 points from their opening seven games, while their hosts sit in 13th place after a mixed start to the campaign.

Match preview

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Internacional come into this game in a run of three games without a defeat in the Brazilian top flight, firstly drawing 1-1 with Ceara at home as Lima equalised for the visitors on the stroke of half time after Edenilson's early opener from the penalty spot.

Diego Aguirre's side then picked up an important 2-1 away win over newly-promoted Chapecoense, with Caio Vidal and Yuri Alberto getting on the scoresheet in the first half before Derlan pulled a goal back in vain for the hosts in the 55th minute.

Most recently, the Rolo Compressor played out a 1-1 draw away against America Mineiro, as Rodrigo Dourado scored in the last 15 minutes to salvage a point for his side after the hosts led thanks to a Ribamar goal on the half-hour mark.

After collecting just four points from their opening four matches, Aguirre's men have enjoyed a rise up to 13th spot, while they now sit just three points behind fourth-placed Fortaleza, given how tight the division is at this early stage of the season.

That means another positive result on Wednesday would see their rise up the table continue, likely moving into the top 10 with what would be their third league victory of the season.

Their opponents have shown more consistency so far this campaign and will be looking for another victory to maintain their spot at the top end of the table.

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After a strong start with 10 points from their first five games, Abel Ferreira's men suffered a disappointing defeat last Wednesday, as new league leaders Bragantino came away with a 3-1 win thanks to a Ytalo hat-trick.

However, they quickly bounced back with a dramatic 3-2 win at home to Bahia in their last league outing on Monday.

Gustavo Scarpa opened the scoring for Palmeiras inside the first 10 minutes, but Luiz Otavio would quickly equalise and Maycon Douglas found the net to put the visitors ahead in the 74th minute.

That looked set to seal the victory for Bahia, but Raphael Veiga levelled the game five minutes later before Breno Lopes found the net to snatch all three points for the Alviverde in the 92nd minute.

As a result, Palmeiras have now won three of their last four matches, helping them to break into the top four of the Brasileiro table, while remaining just one point behind Bragantino at the summit of the division.

They will now go in search of a second straight win to ensure they at least remain within touching difference of the top spot.

Team News

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Internacional will be boosted by the returns of two players for Wednesday's clash, after Caio Vidal and Danilo Fernandes both served suspensions last time out following red cards in the win over Chapecoense, despite goalkeeper Fernandes not making it off the bench, instead being sent off for his part in a melee on the touchline in the dying minutes.

Fernandes should come straight into the starting XI after goalkeeper Daniel was forced off in the dying minutes of the recent draw with America Mineiro, with Edenilson having to deputise in goal for the remainder of the clash.

Edenilson will hope for a return to the midfield after featuring off the bench last time out, potentially playing alongside Johnny and Rodrigo Dourado, who netted the equaliser in that game.

Meanwhile, Vidal will return to the front line to support forward Thiago Galhardo, who remains in search of his first Brasileiro goal of the season.

Raphael Veiga will hope for a starting spot for Palmeiras on Wednesday, after he came off the bench to score a vital goal in their recent 3-2 win over Bahia.

Gustavo Scarpa and Breno Lopes will again feature prominently in the attack, having also netted goals in that win.

Behind them, Danilo Barbosa and Gabriel Menino could shield the back four of Marcos Rocha, Luan, Benjamin Kuscevic and Victor Luis.

Internacional possible starting lineup:
Fernandes; Saravia, Ribeiro, Cuesta, Heitor; Cardoso, Dourado, Edenilson; Vidal, Galhardo, Patrick

Palmeiras possible starting lineup:
Jailson; Rocha, Luan, Kuscevic, Luis; Menino, Danilo; Veiga, Scarpa, Lopes; Adriano

We say: Internacional 1-2 Palmeiras

While Internacional have started to improve after a disappointing first month to the campaign, Palmeiras look the slightly better of the two sides, and should record a second consecutive victory on Wednesday.

After bouncing back from a defeat in a tough clash with Bragantino, they should be determined to ensure they remain in the hunt for the top spot and avoid slipping up again.