Brazilian Serie A leaders Internacional will be looking to return to winning ways when they face Santos at Estadio Urbano Caldeira on Saturday night.
Internacional currently sit top of the table with 36 points to show from their 20 matches, while Santos occupy seventh position, just five points off the summit at this stage.
Match preview
© Reuters
Santos are eight-time winners of the Brazilian Serie A, with their last success coming in 2004. They actually finished second in the division last term, meanwhile, and will have their eye on a possible title push.
The Black and Whites are currently seventh in the table, but it would be fair to say that does not tell the full story. Indeed, they are only five points off leaders Internacional on the same number of games and have only lost five of their 20 league games during a strong season to date.
Cuca's team will be looking to pick up a huge three points on Saturday ahead of their next league game against Athletico Paranaense, who are currently struggling at the wrong end of the table.
Santos have won two of their last four matches in the Brazilian Serie A, including a 3-1 victory over Bahia in their last home game on November 1, although they were held to a 1-1 draw at Bragantino last time out.
© Reuters
Internacional, meanwhile, were in Copa do Brasil action on Wednesday, suffering a 1-0 defeat to America Mineiro in the first leg of their quarter-final clash, meaning that they have work to do ahead of the return fixture.
The Reds are bidding to win their fourth Brazilian Serie A title and their first since 1979, with a total of 36 points from 20 matches leaving them at the top of the division.
Second-placed Atletico Mineiro have a game in hand and are only a point behind, though, while Sao Paulo in fourth are just three points off the summit and incredibly have three games in hand.
Abel Braga's side have not actually been victorious in the league since beating Vasco da Gama on October 18, drawing two and losing one of their last three matches at this level of football.
Internacional ran out 2-0 winners over Santos in the reverse match back in August, though, while they have not lost to Saturday's opponents in any competition since September 2015.
Santos Brasileiro form: WLWLWD
Santos form (all competitions): WLDWLD
Internacional Brasileiro form: WWWDLD
Internacional form (all competitions): DWLWDL
Team News
© Reuters
Santos
Out: Luan Peres (suspension), Lucas Verissimo (coronavirus), Madson (coronavirus), Joao Paulo (coronavirus), Vladimir (foot), Carlos Andres Sanchez (ligament), Raniel (leg)
Internacional
Out: Heitor (suspension), Thiago Galhardo (ankle), Rodrigo Moledo (muscle), Paolo Guerrero (knee)
Doubtful: Johnny Nascimento (muscle)
We say: Santos 2-2 Internacional
This has all of the makings of a very interesting game of football. Internacional will be determined to return to winning ways, but Santos have only lost five times in the league this season, and we are expecting the two sides to share the points in an open and entertaining draw.
