Derbies haunt Santos at decisive point of season as Corinthians and Palmeiras await | OneFootball

Santos are winless in derbies in 2026 and now face Corinthians then Palmeiras, with the risk of dropping into the Brasileirão relegation zone and going out of the Copa do Brasil. According to Globo.com, the sequence arrives at a pivotal moment.

Across seven rivalry games this year there have been four draws and three defeats. The results are Palmeiras 1-0 Santos (Paulistão), Santos 1-1 Corinthians (Paulistão), São Paulo 2-0 Santos (Paulistão), Santos 1-1 São Paulo (Brasileirão), Santos 1-1 Corinthians (Brasileirão), Palmeiras 1-1 Santos (Brasileirão), and Palmeiras 3-0 Santos (Copa do Brasil).

The best return has come against Corinthians, with two 1-1 draws at Vila Belmiro. They meet in Itaquera on Sunday amid turbulence, Corinthians sit 10th with 32 points after two straight defeats, Santos are 14th on 26, two clear of Mirassol, the first side in the drop zone.

Head coach Cuca has stressed the league is the priority and expects Neymar back after he was rested for the Palmeiras match at Nubank Parque. Gabigol, a substitute in the cup tie, is also likely to return to the XI. Cuca praised his players’ character and said the next game is a new day and a new story.

After the 3-0 first-leg loss to Palmeiras, Santos must score at least three to take the tie to penalties, something they have not done against this rival since 2014. They also need to win by at least three goals to force a shootout, their last such margin over Palmeiras was 5-1 in 2006 at Vila Belmiro in the Brasileirão.

Source: Globo.com

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