Corinthians seal LNF safety and keep playoff hopes alive | OneFootball

Corinthians secured LNF survival with a round to spare after a 1-1 draw at Marreco, and now eye the playoffs.

The stalemate came on Saturday night in the 14th round at Complexo Esportivo Arrudão. According to Meu Timao, this is the first LNF season with relegation, introduced after LNF Silver was created, with 16 clubs per tier, the bottom two relegated and 14th facing Silver’s third in a playoff.

A remodelled, academy-heavy squad under cost-cutting led by Osmar Stabile spent much of the campaign near danger, often 13th or 14th and outside playoff spots.

Fernando Malafaia’s side have 13 points, provisionally 11th, with three home wins, four draws and seven defeats. They are four clear of São José and Marreco, both on nine in 15th and 16th, ending relegation fears.

The playoff chase remains open. Minas also have 13 and a game in hand against Pato on Monday, and could leave Corinthians 12th, the final qualifying spot, after this round.

The finale leaves Corinthians in a direct race with Minas and Tubarão. Tubarão are level on 13 but trail on tiebreakers, and Minas still play once before the last round.

All 16 teams play once in a 15-round phase. The top four reach the quarter-finals, places five to 12 enter two-legged playoffs with the second leg at the higher seed. If still level after extra time, the side with the better regular-season record advances.

Corinthians host Pato on 8 August at Ginásio Wlamir Marques to decide their fate. Before then, they play their ninth Campeonato Paulista match on Thursday at 20:00 at the same venue.

Source: Meu Timao