Santos and Coritiba meet on Sunday at 11 a.m. Brasília time at Neo Química Arena in a match that could change the shape of both clubs’ seasons. The game is for the 16th round of the Campeonato Brasileiro, with Premiere set to broadcast it nationwide and ge following the action in real time.
Santos comes in chasing a third straight win and riding a seven-match unbeaten run. A victory would also move the team farther from the relegation zone, a turn that would matter as much for confidence as for the standings.
The timing gives the match extra weight for Coritiba, too. After being eliminated from the Copa do Brasil during the week, the club now has only Série A left to manage, and it arrives with a five-match winless run that has left it stuck on 20 points. Its last victory came on April 19, when it beat Atlético-MG 2-0.
That sets up a meeting between two sides moving in opposite directions. Santos advanced to the round of 16 of the Copa do Brasil against Coritiba, and the same opponent now finds itself under pressure to stop the slide in league play while Santos looks to extend its climb. For Coritiba, the table offers little room for error. For Santos, Sunday offers a chance to build separation from the bottom half.
Cuca is expected to keep the same base that beat Bragantino and Coritiba, even with João Schmidt out because of a right posterior thigh injury. Willian Arão is the likeliest replacement in midfield, while Luan Peres has returned to the squad. Santos also has Adonis Frías in sharp form after he scored two goals in the last few matches. Neymar is listed in the probable lineup, and this is described as his last opportunity before the Brazilian national team call-up for the World Cup. Vinícius Lira remains out with a left knee injury, Gabriel Menino with a right posterior thigh injury and Thaciano with a right thigh muscle injury.
Coritiba has its own list of problems. Tinga is out with a calf injury and Lucas Ronier is suspended. Josué had a back problem and received an injection, but he is expected to play; if he cannot, Thiago Santos is an option for marking duties and Gustavo is another. With JP Chermont unavailable, Lucas Taverna is the only natural right-back option, though Tiago Cóser could be used there out of position. If that happens, Bruno Melo may line up alongside Jacy in defense, with Felipe Jonathan as a possible left back and Breno Lopes a candidate to start in place of Ronier. Pedro Morisco is recovering from shoulder surgery, Maicon is out with a left thigh muscle injury and Rodrigo Rodrigues is recovering from knee surgery.
The game is a simple one on paper and a complicated one in the standings: Santos can ease its way clear of danger, while Coritiba must find a response fast or watch the pressure deepen with every round that passes.
