Chapecoense under pressure for Corinthians clash after Grêmio loss | OneFootball

Corinthians host Chapecoense this Sunday (6) at 7:30 p.m. (Brasília time) at Neo Química Arena for the 26th round of the Brazilian Championship. Timão’s opponent, the club from Santa Catarina arrives in São Paulo in a delicate situation in the competition, sitting bottom of the table and trying to bounce back after being beaten by Grêmio in its most recent match.

Chape have 14 points from 24 matches and sit alone at the bottom of the Brasileirão. The team has one game in hand, since the match against Vasco was postponed and still does not have a new date set.

Photo: Sports Press Photo / Getty Images

Corinthians, in turn, are in 11th place, with 32 points from 25 games. That means 18 points separate the two teams ahead of this Sunday’s clash.

Chapecoense are coming off a defeat to Grêmio

The last time Chapecoense took the field was last Sunday, August 30. On that occasion, the team from Santa Catarina visited Grêmio and lost 3-1.

The result ended a modest two-match unbeaten run for Rafael Lacerda’s team. On August 23, Chape had earned a 1-0 home win over São Paulo. One round earlier, on August 16, they drew 3-3 with Bahia, also at home.

Before that, the team had lost 2-1 to Coritiba on August 8. Therefore, considering their four most recent Brazilian Championship matches, Chapecoense have one win, one draw, and two defeats.

Their campaign throughout the competition explains their position in the standings. With 14 points won from 24 games, the club from Santa Catarina are ten points behind Mirassol, currently in 16th place, who have 26 points from 26 matches.

Rafael Lacerda will have a midfield return

To try to bounce back against Corinthians, Rafael Lacerda may make changes to the team that started against Grêmio.

The main piece of news is Camilo’s return. The defensive midfielder did not play in the previous round because he belongs to Grêmio and is on loan at Chapecoense. In addition to the contractual issue, the player was also suspended due to his third yellow card.

Cleared to face Corinthians, Camilo is expected to regain his place in the starting lineup and form the midfield alongside Yago Felipe and Giovanni Augusto.

On the other hand, the coach has lost an option at left-back. Bruno Pacheco is suspended and will not be able to play at Neo Química Arena. The expectation is that Fernando will be chosen to fill the spot.

Bolasie available again

Another new name among the call-ups could be Yannick Bolasie. The forward was cleared by Chapecoense’s medical department after recovering from a pancreas issue and has returned to training.

Although he is available again, the expectation is that Bolasie will start the match on the bench and be an option for Rafael Lacerda during the game.

Chapecoense still have a long list of players sidelined by the medical department. Rafael Carvalheira, Bruno Tubarão, Max Alves, Vinícius Balieiro, Robert, and João Paulo are out for the match. Eduardo Doma, Ênio, and Rubens go into the game one booking away from suspension with two yellow cards.

Probable Chapecoense lineup

With Camilo returning and Bruno Pacheco absent, Rafael Lacerda is expected to line up Chapecoense as follows: Anderson; Heitor, Kauan Faria, Eduardo Doma and Fernando; Camilo, Yago Felipe and Giovanni Augusto; Marcinho, Túlio Eduardo and Garcez.

Corinthians are also trying to bounce back in the Brasileirão

If Chapecoense arrive under pressure from being bottom of the table, Corinthians are also looking for a response in the league. Timão have lost their three most recent Brasileirão matches and remain on 32 points.

This Sunday’s match also comes before an important fixture in the continental calendar. On Wednesday (9), Corinthians visit Estudiantes in La Plata, Argentina, for the first leg of the Libertadores quarterfinals.

Before turning their attention to the continental tournament, however, Alvinegro will first face a Chapecoense side arriving in São Paulo trying to cut the gap to the clubs outside the relegation zone and get back to picking up points after the 3-1 defeat to Grêmio.

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