Palmeiras face Vasco, eyeing Cruzeiro, Flamengo and top-spot heat | OneFootball

Palmeiras will face a different situation from recent rounds in the battle for the top spot in the Brazilian Championship. After two matches in which they took the field before their main rivals and wasted the chance to extend their lead, Verdão will face Vasco this Sunday (23), at 4 p.m. (Brasília time), already knowing the result of the clash between Flamengo and Cruzeiro at Mineirão.

The situation could change the weight of the match for Abel Ferreira’s team. Palmeiras remain at the top with 48 points, but saw Flamengo cut the gap to just three points after the 23rd round. The Rubro-Negro reached 45 points and still have a game in hand.

The scenario is a direct consequence of the leader’s most recent results. In the previous two rounds, Palmeiras played first and failed to take advantage of the opportunity to open up a gap. Against Internacional, they were held to a goalless draw. In the following round, they lost 3-2 to Fluminense, while Flamengo thrashed Mirassol 5-1 and moved within touching distance of the top spot.

Palmeiras could take the field under pressure or with an advantage

The result of the clash between their rivals will be known before the ball starts rolling for Palmeiras and Vasco. That way, Verdão will know exactly what the impact of another slip-up or of a win will be on the standings.

A Flamengo win increases the need for a response from Palmeiras. If the Rubro-Negro take all three points, the gap to the leader will shrink even further and could leave Abel Ferreira’s side under added pressure to beat Vasco.

On the other hand, a Flamengo slip-up would ease the pressure on Palmeiras and could allow the leaders to take the field with the chance to recover part of the advantage lost in recent weeks.

Cruzeiro also features in the title race. The Minas Gerais side have been performing well since the Brazilian league resumed after the World Cup break and rank among the best teams in terms of results during that period.

The moment demands a response in the Brazilian Championship

Qualifying for the Libertadores quarter-finals brought relief to Palmeiras after a run of results below expectations. The team beat Cerro Porteño 1-0 in Paraguay, with a goal from Gustavo Gómez, and advanced in the continental competition.

The result ended a week of pressure and kept the club alive in the hunt for the Libertadores title. Palmeiras will now face LDU in the quarter-finals, in a tie scheduled for September.

Palmeiras still depend only on their own results to stay top, but the eight-point lead they once held over Flamengo has been cut to three. In addition, the Rubro-Negro have a game in hand and therefore have a real chance of changing the shape of the table.

Vasco will be the next test

It is in this context that Vasco come into the picture. The clash represents an opportunity for Palmeiras to halt their negative run in the league and get back to picking up three points.

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