Preview: Sao Paulo vs. Internacional - prediction, team news, lineups

Internacional will look to consolidate their place in the Brasileiro top six when they travel to an out-of-sorts Sao Paulo on Sunday.

Inter are currently sixth on goal difference, while Tricolor are 13th and aiming to rescue a disappointing campaign.

Match preview

© Reuters

After losing out on the league title by one point last season, Internacional spent the first half of this campaign in the bottom half but have recovered to challenge for a spot in the Copa Libertadores.

The Porto Alegre-based outfit have lost just two of their previous 15 matches, but have drawn their last two games after late goals at either end of the pitch.

Having conceded a 94th-minute equaliser against Red Bull Bragantino, Internacional then scored a 92nd-minute equaliser against Corinthians three days later.

Uruguayan boss Diego Aguirre is a former Sao Paulo player and manager, but he will be eager for victory on his return to the city ahead of the Grenal derby against Gremio next week.

© Reuters

The six-time title winners now have club legend Rogerio Ceni in charge, with the former goalkeeper taking four points from a possible nine since replacing Hernan Crespo just over a fortnight ago.

A 1-0 defeat to Red Bull Bragantino last weekend was the team's first loss in 10 matches, but that run includes seven successive draws.

It means that Sao Paulo sit five points above the relegation zone with 10 games to play and in danger of finishing in the bottom half for the first time since 2017.

Tricolor, who beat Internacional 2-0 in this season's reverse fixture, have only lost two of their 14 home games this season, going unbeaten at Morumbi since July.

However, only Sport Recife (15) have scored fewer goals than Sao Paulo (22) in the Brasileiro this season.

Team News

© Reuters

Rodrigo Nestor suffered an ankle injury in Sao Paulo's defeat to Red Bull Bragantino last weekend so is a doubt for Sunday's fixture.

Tricolor remain without top scorer Emiliano Rigoni and fellow forward Jonathan Calleri; together the pair account for nearly a third of the team's league goals this season.

In their absence, Eder, Vitor Bueno and Pablo are all challenging for a starting spot up front but have just five goals between them throughout the campaign.

Internacional will be forced into changes as Gabriel Mercado, Patrick and Rodrigo Dourado are all suspended and Moises is a doubt because of injury.

In better news for Diego Aguirre, he will be able to welcome back centre-back Bruno Mendez, who has recovered from a hamstring injury.

Yuri Alberto is the second-highest scorer in the Brasileiro this season with 11 goals, but he has not found the net in his last three matches.

Sao Paulo possible starting lineup:
Volpi; Orejuela, Arboleda, Miranda, Reinaldo; Liziero; Gomes, Benitez, Sara; Luciano, Bueno

Internacional possible starting lineup:
Marcelo; Saravia, Mendez, Cuesta, Victor; Johnny, Rodrigo; Edenilson, Taison, Maia; Alberto

We say: Sao Paulo 1-1 Internacional

Sao Paulo have shown signs of improvement under Ceni and have a good home record, so will provide a tough test for an Internacional side desperate to get back to winning ways. However, we think it could be a third successive draw for the visitors.