Abel Ferreira assesses Palmeiras changes for Fluminense as leaders finalise Maracanã preparations | OneFootball

Palmeiras completed preparations on Friday morning at the Academia de Futebol for Saturday’s 16:30 kick-off against Fluminense at the Maracanã, the 23rd round of the Campeonato Brasileiro. The leaders have 48 points from 22 matches.

According to Nosso Palestra, the session began with muscle activation in the Centro de Excelência, then moved to on-pitch work on possession, marking, support play and build-up, ending with a training game.

Right-back Khellven and forward Paulinho followed individual programmes, working indoors and on the grass under the Health and Performance unit’s supervision.

In the reverse fixture at Arena Crefisa Barueri, Palmeiras won 2-1 through goals from Allan and Vitor Roque. Allan also scored in the club’s only match at the Maracanã this season, a 3-0 win over Flamengo.

He underlined the significance of facing Fluminense, said the team treat each league game like a final, and felt recent dominance of the ball needs to turn into goals after using recovery time to correct details. The forward has 93 appearances and nine goals for Palmeiras, with 39 games and six goals in 2026.

Palmeiras are likely to name something close to their first-choice side. The likely XI is Carlos Miguel, Murilo, Gustavo Gómez, Barboza, Allan, Andreas Pereira, Marlon Freitas, Piquerez, Jhon Arias, Flaco López and Vitor Roque.

Even so, the line-up is not confirmed and Abel Ferreira could make late changes given a congested schedule. On Wednesday 19, they face Cerro Porteño in the Libertadores, with a quarter-final place at stake.

Source: Nosso Palestra

“Artificial intelligence was used to assist in creating this article based on reporting from the original source quoted.”