São Paulo look to build on good form and get into gear in the Paulista | OneFootball

São Paulo is trying to take advantage of the positive series of results to gain momentum and, perhaps, secure a spot in the quarter-finals of the Campeonato Paulista. This Saturday, the Tricolor hosts Primavera at 8:30 PM (Brasília time) at Morumbis, for the penultimate round of the State Championship.

The Tricolor is experiencing its best phase this season and hasn't lost in three matches, with two wins and a draw, emerging from a tough sequence of games with a positive balance. First, Hernán Crespo's team defeated Flamengo 2-1, coming from behind, at Morumbis, in the Brasileirão debut.

Then, São Paulo was overwhelmingly dominant and defeated Santos 2-0 at Morumbis in the Campeonato Paulista, putting themselves back in the race for a spot in the quarter-finals. Last Wednesday, they managed to draw 1-1 with Peixe, this time at Vila Belmiro, in the second round of Série A.

In the Campeonato Paulista, Crespo has stated in recent press conferences that São Paulo's goal is to “get the car on the track” — in other words, to secure a spot in the quarter-finals of the State Championship while rotating the squad in the best way to preserve the players. This goal has been achieved by the coaching staff.

Qualification “in São Paulo's hands”

São Paulo needs just one victory against Primavera in the next round to ensure their stay in the State Championship's elite. Velo Clube, the first team in the relegation zone, has only four points, while Santos, in 14th place, has six. The Morumbis team also has a better goal difference than the club from Rio Claro.

Besides distancing themselves from relegation, the club is also very much alive in the fight for a spot in the Paulista knockout stage. The first team in the quarter-finals qualification zone is São Bernardo, with eight points — meaning only one point separates the Tricolor from the club from the interior of São Paulo. In a recent press conference, Crespo said he is “confident”. Last Wednesday, he reinforced this statement and said that the chance of qualification is “in São Paulo's hands.”

“The car on the track I mentioned, mainly, in the Paulistão. At this moment, the car is not on the track, but it's in our hands because we have to win the two games [against Primavera and Ponte Preta] and we will be qualified. In this case, we have the opportunity in our own hands, and we have to take advantage of it, but it hasn't happened yet,” explained Crespo after the 1-1 draw against Santos at Vila Belmiro on Wednesday.

After facing Primavera, São Paulo will play the last round of the Paulistão against Ponte Preta. The match will take place next Sunday (15th) at 8:30 PM at Moisés Lucarelli Stadium.

Crespo makes a request to the fans

With the possibility of a victory over Primavera and continuing the good phase, Crespo invited the fans to once again fill Morumbis and support the team in pursuit of the result. The fans did their part in the 2-0 victory over Santos, which revived the Tricolor in the Paulista.

The classic against Santos recorded the best attendance for São Paulo in 2026 so far: 49,605 were present at the stadium, singing and supporting the team with one voice. The coach then invited the fans to repeat the feat this Saturday.

“Ideal world? Once again, 50,000 people. We hope the fans come and we have another great Saturday. That's the idea, to try to continue. We are regaining the fans, the style of play, what São Paulo wants to do. In the game against Primavera, we need the fans, we need everyone together again, to try to live another special night,” concluded the coach.

Upcoming São Paulo matches

This article was translated into English by Artificial Intelligence. You can read the original version in 🇧🇷 here.