Memphis Depay is expected to start for Corinthians against Santos on Sunday at 16h in the Neo Química Arena, a shift that gives the classic its sharpest talking point before kickoff. It would be his first start since renewing his contract, while Corinthians also have to do without Yuri Alberto and Breno Bidon.
The match in the 25th round of the Campeonato Brasileiro is being searched now because it carries real weight on both sides of the table. Corinthians are 10th with 32 points after two straight Brasileirão defeats and need a win to move closer to the top five, while Santos have 26 points in 23 games and could end the round inside the relegation zone if they lose.
TV Globo and Premiere will show Corinthians Vs Santos, with Wilton Pereira Sampaio as referee. On the Corinthians side, André Carrillo is the main candidate to fill the midfield gap left by Bidon, who is suspended after his third yellow card. Yuri Alberto is still recovering from a thigh injury, so Depay's possible first start becomes even more important to the way Corinthians want to attack.
Santos arrive with Neymar available after missing Friday training because of flu. He trained normally on Saturday and is expected to start, giving the visitors a timely boost in a match where João Schmidt is suspended after his third yellow card against Mirassol. That absence hurts Santos in the middle of the pitch just as they try to steady themselves after a 3 a 0 loss to Palmeiras and a difficult spell in the Copa do Brasil.
The timing leaves both teams with little room for error, and the lineups matter as much as the table. Corinthians spent the week working at the CT, but the final question is simple enough: whether Depay is named from the start and whether Neymar, back from flu and ready to go, turns the game into the classic both clubs need.
