Palmeiras line-up: Abel Ferreira has a selection doubt for Flamengo clash | OneFootball

Palmeiras trained on Friday morning (22) at the Football Academy and wrapped up preparations for the clash against Flamengo, scheduled for Saturday (23) at 9pm at the Maracanã, in the 17th round of the Brazilian Championship.

Under coach Abel Ferreira, the squad carried out small-sided collective drills and positional tactical work aimed at the direct battle for the top spot in the competition.

The main news was the presence of attacking midfielder Felipe Anderson, who fully took part in the activities with the group after recovering from a left thigh injury. The number seven had missed the team’s win over Cerro Porteño-PAR in the CONMEBOL Libertadores.

On the other hand, left-back Joaquín Piquerez continued training separately alongside youth players as he progresses in his recovery from right ankle surgery.

Selection doubt

In addition to the returning players and absences, Abel Ferreira still has one doubt in the starting lineup to face Flamengo. The coaching staff is evaluating whether to keep Emiliano Martínez among the starters or return to the setup used previously. In that case, the likely move would be Maurício coming into the attack, replacing Ramón Sosa, who is injured.

Maintaining the lead

Clear leaders of the Brasileirão with 35 points from 16 matches, Verdão have 10 wins, five draws and just one defeat, posting the club’s best start in the round-robin era and surpassing the 2009 campaign, when they had 34 points at the same stage.

In their national title-winning campaigns, Palmeiras had 33 points in 2016, 26 in 2018, 30 in 2022 and 28 in 2023. The last time the club performed better at this stage of the competition was in 1994, when it reached 41 points under a different format.

The green-and-white side also boasts a run of 11 unbeaten matches in the Brazilian Championship — currently the longest in the competition, followed by Flamengo with seven games without defeat.

Away from home, Palmeiras are unbeaten in their last five Brasileirão matches and in their last nine games overall this season. The club also has a positive historical away record in the national competition, with 291 wins, 259 draws, 288 defeats and a goal difference of +13.

Verdão’s next match

Flamengo vs Palmeiras – Brasileirão – 05/23 – 9pm (Brasília time)

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