Paulistão: what’s at stake in each match of the final round | OneFootball

After just over a month, the Paulista Championship reaches its final round. This Sunday, all 16 teams will take the field at 8:30 PM (Brasília time) to decide the eight teams that will qualify for the quarter-finals and the two relegated to Série A2.

Ponte Preta is already mathematically relegated, but the other spot is still open. Looking at the qualifiers, Novorizontino, Palmeiras, Portuguesa, and RB Bragantino are already guaranteed in the next phase.

Gazeta Esportiva has analyzed all eight games of this last round of the Paulistão and what each game means for the teams. See below:

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Photo: Jhony Inácio / Ag. Paulistão

Botafogo-SP vs Capivariano

The match between Botafogo-SP and Capivariano promises to be one of the hottest of the round. The equation is simple: whoever wins will be in the quarter-finals.

The team from Ribeirão Preto, which will host the match, is in seventh place with 11 points after seven rounds. Capivariano, on the other hand, is in ninth place with one point less.

Primavera vs Noroeste

While the game mentioned above is a fight for the quarter-finals, the duel between Primavera and Noroeste is about teams desperately trying to avoid relegation. Both clubs have seven points, in 13th and 14th places, but Primavera has one more victory in the competition than the team from Bauru.

In case of a draw, Primavera will be safe precisely because of the victory advantage against Noroeste, which in turn would need to hope that Velo Clube does not beat Santos. Whoever wins will be guaranteed in the Paulista elite in 2027.

Mirassol vs Portuguesa

Portuguesa is qualified for the quarter-finals but will take the field to secure a better position in the table to host the knockout game at home. Currently, Lusa has 12 points, in fourth place.

Mirassol, on the other hand, is still fighting for a spot in the next phase, but their battle will not be easy. The Leão do Interior needs to win and hope for a great combination of results to qualify. Additionally, Rafael Guanaes' team has a remote chance of being relegated.

Palmeiras vs Guarani

Palmeiras is the only one of the big teams in the state to be guaranteed in the next phase. This Sunday, like Portuguesa, Verdão aims for a victory to climb even higher in the competition table, to gain the advantage of deciding at home in the knockout stage.

Guarani promises a tough game, as they have high chances of qualifying. Bugre is in sixth place with 11 points and a triumph over Abel Ferreira's team guarantees the Campinas team in the quarters.

(Photo: Cesar Greco/Palmeiras)

Ponte Preta vs São Paulo

São Paulo is within the G8 but still needs to secure its ticket to the next phase. For that, a simple victory over Macaca is enough. However, if Hernán Crespo's team stumbles, their chances of qualifying drop drastically, as Tricolor is the last team in the access zone to the quarters, in eighth place with ten points.

Ponte, on the other hand, has not won any matches in the Paulistão and is already mathematically relegated to Série A2. However, coach Marcelo Fernandes should go with his main squad for the duel against São Paulo.

(Photo: Paulo Pinto/Saopaulofc.net)

RB Bragantino vs Novorizontino

The “calmest” duel of this last round brings together two teams already qualified for the quarter-finals. RB Bragantino and Novorizontino are only fighting for a higher place in the table, similar to the situations of Palmeiras and Portuguesa.

Novorizontino is the leader of the Paulistão with 16 points and wants to maintain this position to have the power to always decide at home in the knockout stage. The team can only be overtaken in the table by Palmeiras. Meanwhile, Bragantino is in third place with 13 points.

Santos vs Velo Clube

Among the big teams in the state, Santos has the lowest chances of qualifying for the next phase. Peixe needs to win to keep possibilities of securing their spot. Additionally, Vojvoda's team needs stumbles from the G8 teams to advance. A draw or a loss will mean elimination.

On the other hand, Velo Clube is fighting against relegation. The club from Rio Claro is in the relegation zone and will only escape it with a victory against Santos, not depending on any other result.

(Photo: Reinaldo Campos/ Santos FC)

São Bernardo vs Corinthians

Finally, Corinthians is very close to securing their spot. Timão depends only on themselves, and a triumph over São Bernardo guarantees Alvinegro in the next phase. In case of a draw or loss, Dorival Júnior's team would need to suffer from several combinations to be eliminated.

São Bernardo has few chances of qualifying. Bernô has only eight points and needs a victory against Corinthians, along with a series of combinations.

Photo: Divulgação / Agência Corinthians

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