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

Santos will look to haul themselves up the nascent Brasileiro table with a win against Juventude at Allianz Parque this Saturday.

Yet to win a game so far this season, Juventude will be desperate to increase their points tally this weekend and put some distance between themselves and the teams languishing near the bottom.

Match preview

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Despite being Copa Libertadores finalists, Santos ended up slumping to an eighth-place finish in the league last season, and there are concerns that the team have carried that poor form into the new campaign.

In this season's Copa Libertadores group stage, Santos finished in third place behind Boca Juniors and Ecuadorian outfit Barcelona SC.

Fernando Diniz's men were even beaten 2-1 by Bolivian minnows The Strongest in a tempestuous duel that saw the referee brandish three red cards and five yellow cards.

With the Brasileiro back underway, Diniz will hope his side can begin building up form and reclaim their spot at the head of the pack.

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Back in the big time, Juventude will need to graft if they plan on sticking around in Brazil's highest tier for a sustained period of time.

Following a 2-2 draw against Cuiaba on the first day of the campaign, Marquinhos Santos's Juventude side were beaten 3-0 by Athletico-PR.

Registering just one shot on target during that tie, Juventude will need to up the ante if they are to begin getting wins under their belt.

Back-to-back tests against Santos and Palmeiras this week will give fans a good idea what they can expect from Juventude this season.

Team News

The big guns Kaio Jorge and Marinho are both expected to start this tie despite both coming off early last time out in the cup.

Lucas Braga, Sandry, Jobson, Carlos Sanchez, Raniel and Rafael Longuine are all still out with injuries.

Juventude have a fully fit squad to choose from, and boss Santos has no injury concerns to worry about.

Despite losing last time out, it is unlikely that Santos will tinker with his side too much, with the boss expected to keep faith in his starting 11.

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

Juventude possible starting lineup:
Carne; Michel, Mendes, Forster, Alyson, Castilho, Paulo, Capixaba, Wescley, Kim; Peixoto

We say: Santos 2-0 Juventude

Neither of these sides are in great form, but we expect Santos to come out on top here due to the gulf in class between the two.