Palmeiras’ form and new signing: Derby test v Corinthians Sunday

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Central do Timão

·8 February 2026

Palmeiras’ form and new signing: Derby test v Corinthians Sunday

By Henrique Pereira / Central do Timão Editorial Team

Corinthians hosts Palmeiras this Sunday (8), at 8:30 PM, at the Neo Química Arena, in a match marking the seventh and penultimate round of the initial phase of the Campeonato Paulista. The opponent arrives for the classic amidst fluctuations in performance throughout the competitions they are participating in.

In the State Championship, the team led by Abel Ferreira shows an unstable trajectory. Despite victories in classics against Santos and São Paulo, Palmeiras suffered a significant 4-0 defeat to Novorizontino, one of the most substantial losses in the Abel era, and is coming off a 1-0 stumble against Botafogo-SP. With this campaign, the club currently occupies the third position, totaling 12 points.

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Photo: Reproduction/Palmeiras

The Palmeiras calendar in 2026 will be extensive. Besides the Paulistão and the Brazilian Championship, the team will have commitments in the Copa do Brasil, entering directly in the fifth phase for being part of the national elite, and will also compete in the group stage of the Libertadores, already secured.

In the Brasileirão, the start was positive. Palmeiras drew 2-2 with Atlético Mineiro away from home in the debut and, in the following round, thrashed Vitória 5-1. These results place the green and white team in second place, with four points earned.

Off the field, the fans are experiencing days of excitement. Last Saturday, the club officially announced the arrival of Colombian striker Jhon Arias, 28, who played for Wolverhampton, England. The player signed a contract until December 2029, in a deal valued at around 25 million euros, which corresponds to approximately R$ 154.8 million.

The investment places Arias among the most expensive transfers in Brazilian football, only behind Lucas Paquetá from Flamengo and Gerson from Cruzeiro, and matches the amount spent by Palmeiras on the signing of Vitor Roque.

The arrival of the Colombian represents the second confirmed reinforcement by the club for the 2026 season. Previously, Palmeiras had already announced the signing of midfielder Marlon Freitas, formerly of Botafogo. Despite the expectations created, Jhon Arias will not be available for the classic against Corinthians this Sunday.

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