Corinthians v Ponte Preta: where to watch, team news, line-ups, referee

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Central do Timão

·11 janvier 2026

Corinthians v Ponte Preta: where to watch, team news, line-ups, referee

By Fabio Luigi / Central do Timão Editorial Team

Corinthians will host Ponte Preta this Sunday afternoon (11th) at 4 PM (Brasília time) at the Neo Química Arena for the first round of the 2026 Paulista Championship. With 31 state titles, the Alvinegro is the current and greatest champion of the tournament, having defeated their archrival Palmeiras in the 2025 final.

Unlike previous seasons, the 2026 Paulista Championship will have a different format. The 16 teams in the tournament will play eight games each, with the top eight overall qualifying for the knockout stage. The last two will be relegated to Série A2. The quarterfinals and semifinals will be single matches, while the grand final will be played over two games.

Vidéos OneFootball

Photo: Rodrigo Coca/Agência Corinthians

It is worth remembering that, besides the Paulista Championship, Corinthians ended last year on a high note with their fans, having won the Brazilian Cup for the fourth time (1995, 2002, 2009, and 2025) by defeating Vasco da Gama 2-1 at the Maracanã Stadium.

Probable lineup and absences for Corinthians

Coach Dorival Júnior will not be able to count on the following players for the match: defenders Félix Torres and Renato, midfielders Alex Santana, José Martínez, and Raniele, left-back Fabrizio Angileri, midfielder Rodrigo Garro, and forwards Héctor Hernández, Memphis Depay, and Yuri Alberto. Click this link to see the reasons for each absence.

Thus, Corinthians is expected to start the match with: Hugo Souza; Matheuzinho, André Ramalho, Gustavo Henrique, and Matheus Bidu (Hugo Farias); Charles, André Luiz, André Carrillo (Matheus Bidu), and Breno Bidon; Vitinho and Gui Negão.

Probable lineup for Ponte Preta

Coach Marcelo Fernandes plans to start the game with: Diogo Silva; João Gabriel, Pacheco, Saimon, and Danilo Barcelos; Rodrigo Souza, Gustavo Telles, and Elvis; Diego Tavares, Bruno Lopes, and Jeh.

Refereeing

The referee will be Daiane Muniz (SP), assisted by Neuza Inês Back (SP) and Gustavo Rodrigues de Oliveira (SP). The fourth referee and VAR will be, respectively, Fabiano Monteiro dos Santos (SP) and Rodrigo Guarizo Ferreira do Amaral (SP).

Broadcast

Corinthians fans who are not at the Neo Química Arena this Sunday (11th) can follow the match exclusively on TNT Sports (pay TV) and HBO Max (streaming). After the final whistle, Central do Timão will bring everything that happened during the 90 minutes, as well as the press conference with coach Dorival Júnior and mixed zone with the players.

Next commitment

After facing Ponte Preta at home in the state championship, Corinthians remains focused on the competition and returns to the field next Thursday (15th) at 7:30 PM (Brasília time). The Alvinegro will visit Red Bull Bragantino at the Cícero de Souza Marques Stadium for the second round of the Paulistão.

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