São Paulo v Athletico Paranaense: Sudamericana push meets Libertadores drive | OneFootball

São Paulo host Athletico Paranaense in the Brasileirão on Thursday, 23 July 2026 at Estádio Municipal Cícero de Souza Marques, with the hosts looking to tighten their mid-table grip and the visitors aiming to consolidate a Libertadores place.

These clubs last faced off in the 2025 national cup Round of 16. São Paulo won the first leg 2-1 before Athletico Paranaense levelled the tie 1-0 at home and advanced on penalties.

Tricolor Paulista have one win in their last five matches across competitions, including a draw with Botafogo and defeats at Corinthians and Remo. CAP had league wins over Remo and Mirassol after drawing with Flamengo, before a friendly loss at Boca Juniors.

São Paulo are without Lucas Moura. Furacão list Bruno Zapelli, Renan Viana, Mycael, Léo Derik and Claudinho as injured.

Furacão have scored 24 and conceded 18 in the league, with five clean sheets, and could lean on the division's leading scorer Kevin Viveros on 11 goals. For Soberano, Jonathan Calleri and Luciano are both on six. The hosts have banked 17 points at home with just one defeat, while CAP's away return stands at seven points, so the visitors may need efficiency on transitions and service from Gastón Américo Benavidez, who has five assists.

A home win would take Mais Querido to 28 points and could nudge them up the table in the Sudamericana race. An away victory would move CAP to 33 points and may strengthen their hold on the Libertadores positions, with scope to climb depending on other results.