With five rounds remaining for the 2016 Brazilian Championship final, Corinthians faces Avaí this Saturday, November 11, for the thirty-fourth day of the competition in the same situation they were at the end of the second round. With eight points of advantage in comparison with the vice leader. The match that will be held from 7:00 pm (Brasília time) at the Arena Itaquera, in São Paulo, may leave the alvinegro even closer to increasing his collection of trophies.
The recent performance of Corinthians
With 15 points in contention, Corinthians need to add just eight to guarantee the achievement without having to rely on stumbling of opponents. However, the rivals have given throughout the tournament signs that they are very willing to collaborate with the national title of alvinegro.
In the thirty-third round, two of his closest pursuers were defeated. Santos, at home, lost to Vasco, from a 2-0 win. Palmeiras, as a visitor, took 3 to 1 of Vitória, who was in the relegation zone and did not win in their fields three months ago.
As he completed his task of beating Atlético-PR 1-0 in the Arena da Baixada, Timão rose to 65 points (19 wins, 8 draws and 6 losses). They are eight more than the Grêmio score, placed second. It is the same difference that separated the two clubs at the end of round 19, when Corinthians completed the first round with the best campaign in the history of the Brasileirão since the points system was implemented.
Even though he had a brutal performance drop in the second round, where he was able to play in the relegation zone, Corinthians was never less than five points from second place and comfortably held the lead from the fifth round.
If the numbers are extremely favorable, the exhibition in Curitiba was not the best. On the contrary, Corinthians were dominated by Atlético-PR most of the time, had a penalty against, which was defended by goalkeeper Walter, but managed to swing the net in one of three finalizations in 90 minutes ensuring the three points.
However, it also brought about a problem in the capital of Paraná. Walter, who replaced Cassio, suffered a muscle strain. He had to leave the field before the end of the game and will not be able to play on Saturday. As the holder continues serving the Brazilian team, it will be up to the young Caíque, third goalkeeper, to take the post.
It will not be the only embezzlement. The striker Jô, top scorer of Corinthians in the Brasileirão with 16 goals, is suspended. He kicked the defender Rodrigo, of Ponte Preta, in the game in which the São Paulo team was defeated by the campineiro by 1 to 0. The referee of the duel let pass, but the Superior Court of Sports Justice does not. He applied a punishment of a hook game to the athlete.
Replacing the gunner can be tricky. Throughout the tournament, Corinthians showed that they do not have an attacker capable of even playing near Jô. Kazim, the immediate reserve, has had opportunities and has never managed to convince fans and analysts that he can play the role.
Thus, the coach Fábio Carille can promote a change in the strategy acting with a ‘false nine’ to fill the absence. In that case, Jadson, who is released after serving suspension by accumulation of yellow cards, can return to the starting lineup. He had lost his position to Clayson. Giovanni Augusto is another option. Even because it was his goal of victory against Atletico-PR.
Who is certain to return to the starting lineup is Gabriel. He was also suspended. He fulfilled the punishment in Baixada and must return to his place sending Maycon to the bank.
The current form of Avaí
The team from Santa Catarina lives in a completely opposite situation. Hopes to escape from the fall to the Second Division were significantly reduced with the defeat of Wednesday, November 9, at home, against Bahia. Avaí even went in front of the marker, but took the turn and ended up losing by 2 to 1.
After only making one point in the last three rounds, he is ranked nineteenth. The difference for Victory, sixteenth place and first outside the region of the sticking is three points. This is a reversible situation, but it is certain that at the end of day 34 the Avaí will continue in the relegation zone regardless of the results.
Recovering the mood of the players seems to be the biggest challenge of coach Claudinei Oliveira. Even the German defender, captain of the team, acknowledged his and his team’s dismay after the unexpected defeat against Bahia.
The recent retrospect also does not help to improve the environment. In the last ten matches, the team from Florianópolis got only one victory. For the remaining five rounds, you would need at least two more wins and a draw to reach the 45 points that are considered necessary to avoid relegation.
One of the few numbers capable of giving any hope to the fan is the fact that Avaí has comparatively a better campaign outside the home than as a principal. It is the thirteenth most efficient visitor of the Brasileirão 2017.
History of the bouts between Corinthians and Avaí
It is of absolute balance the retrospect of the duels involving Corinthians and Avaí in the Brasileirão. It was three wins for each side and three equals since 2009. In the first round of 2017, the score of the match did not go 0-0.
Even without their top scorer, Corinthians remains the best guessing option for the showdown. It has a price of 1.36 in Bet365. Draw shows possibility of return of 4.75 and Santa Catarina success paid 8.00 for each real bet
