Preview: Juventude vs. Sport Recife - prediction, team news, lineups

Juventude will look to record their first victory of the Campeonato Brasileiro Serie A campaign on Monday, when they play host to Sport Recife.

The home side currently sit in the drop zone with two draws and two defeats from their first four games, while their opponents occupy 11th spot having collected four points.

Match preview

© Reuters

Juventude have had a disappointing start to the league season, collecting just two points from their opening four games.

They stared with a 2-2 draw against Cuiaba, as they looked to see out a 2-1 win thanks to goals from Wescley and Matheus Peixoto, until Elton equalised for their opponents in the dying minutes.

They were then thrashed 3-0 by Athletico Paranaense on home turf, as Jadson netted a brace before Nikao added a third in the dying minutes.

Marquinhos Santos's side then held Santos to a goalless draw, before they were again beaten 3-0, this time at the hands of Palmeiras.

The deadlock was broken by a William Matheus own goal early in the second half, before goals from Deyverson and Breno Lopes sealed the victory for the visitors, condemning Santos's men to another defeat in the Campeonato Brasileiro Serie A.

In their first season back in the Brazilian top flight, Juventude currently find themselves in the bottom three, although they could quickly climb the table with a win on Sunday, as they sit level on points with 15th-placed Cuiaba.

A win will be no easy task, though, as their opponents look to record a second consecutive victory following an encouraging performance in their last game.

© Reuters

Sport Recife recorded their first league victory of the season last time out, as they took on a struggling Gremio side on home turf.

Sander netted the only goal of the game to seal three crucial points for his side, having previously collected just one point from their first three games.

After a narrow 1-0 defeat to league leaders Fortaleza, that win saw Sport Recife move back up to 11th spot, while ninth-placed Flamengo sit just two points ahead, meaning Umberto Louzer's men could potentially break into the top 10 with a win on Sunday.

Following their underwhelming start to the season, the Leao do Norte will see this as a great opportunity to bounce back with consecutive wins and quickly cement themselves in the top half of the table, as they take on a side who are yet to pick up a league win this season.

Team News

© Reuters

Juventude should come into this game with a clean bill of health, with Marquinhos Santos having a full squad to pick from.

Despite the side failing to score in the last three league games, Wescley should continue to lead the line after he found the net in their opening game of the season.

Having been the only other player to score for Juventude in the Brazilian top flight this season, attacker Matheus Peixoto will hope for a starting spot after being reduced to a substitute appearance last time out.

In contrast to their opponents, Sport Recife have plenty of injuries to deal with, as Thiago Neves, Leandro Barcia and Igor should all miss out.

Meanwhile, Iago Maidana and Everaldo are doubtful, and may not be risked too early by Louzer.

Sander should keep his place in the back line after a solid performance and a winning goal last time out.

Juventude possible starting lineup:
Henrique; Macedo, Mendes, Forster, Alyson; Elton, Castilho; Bola, Wescley, Chicao; Peixoto

Sport Recife possible starting lineup:
Maylson; Hayner, Thyere, Maidano, Sabino, Sander; Marquinhos, Marcao, Lopez, Paulinho; Andre

We say: Juventude 0-2 Sport Recife

Sport Recife will be on a high after securing their first league win of the season last time out, and they should have too much for a struggling Juventude on Sunday.

The hosts are yet to win a league game this season, and we would not be surprised to see them fall short again.