Vasco da Gama v Palmeiras: title push meets survival fight | OneFootball

Vasco da Gama host Palmeiras in the Brasileirão at São Januário on Thursday, 12 March 2026, as the unbeaten leaders visit the bottom side in an early clash of title push against survival fight.

Palmeiras have dominated the recent league head-to-head with Vasco da Gama, including a 3-0 home win in October 2025 and a 1-0 success in Rio in May 2025, with no Vasco da Gama wins listed in the sequence.

Verdão arrive on a five-match winning run in all competitions and have opened the league with three victories and one draw. Vasco are winless in four league matches and have one point, though recent Carioca wins over Botafogo and Volta Redonda showed they can edge tight games.

Cruz-Maltino are without midfielders Jair and Mateus Carvalho through injury. Palestra list defender Murilo, forward Paulinho and midfielders Maurício and Figueiredo as injured.

Verdão have scored 12 times in four league games, conceding five. Cruz-Maltino have three goals and six against. The visitors' attacking breadth could test the hosts' back line, while Vasco may look to stay compact and break into space at São Januário.

Palestra would move to 13 points with a win and strengthen their grip on first place. Vasco would reach four points and could climb off the foot of the table, or at least cut the early gap to safety.