Verdict: Mirassol win
Best Odds: 11/10
Bookmaker: Luckster
Looking to widen their buffer in the top-four chase, Mirassol will welcome Internacional to Sao Paulo in the early hours of Thursday.
Mirassol
Starting with the hosts, making a much-welcomed return to winning ways last week as they secured a stellar 2-1 victory at home against Fluminense, Mirassol have embarked on a sensational Serie A fairytale. Despite only making their top-flight return this season, Rafael Guanaes’ high-flying squad have rightfully received a string of plaudits from across South America. Opening up the midweek fixtures sat in fourth-place, the Yellows are also storming their way to an iconic Copa Libertadores ticket, Mirassol will be confident of collecting another heavyweight scalp here. Despite signing off September with a 1-0 loss against Atletico-MG, Guanaes’ men have lost just a pair of their previous 10 consecutive Serie A showdowns – a run that stems back to August 9th. Along with mustering 10 points from their last four matchups in Sao Paulo, Thursday’s hosts are unbeaten in all of their previous 13 straight home fixtures across all competitions (eight wins, five draws).
Mirassol Team News
Both missing out against Fluminense last week after serving respective domestic suspensions, the duo of Jose Aldo and former Sport Recife defender Lucas Ramon will return to Guanaes’ squad here. However, dealing with a recent muscle issue, ex-Goias striker Edson Carioca remains a major doubt.
Coming off the bench and bagging a first Serie A strike since the middle of August, 25-year-old Negueba could be handed a full recall. Making his move from Cruzeiro a permanent one ahead of the 2025 campaign, Neto Moura will start in the middle of the park.
Internacional
As for the visitors, although Internacional might have claimed a much-welcomed boost last time out as they clinched a 2-0 victory against Botafogo, the Brazilian giants have continued to show a string of issues this season. While Ramon Diaz’s men might open the midweek fixtures holding a seven-point buffer over the drop zone, many around Porto Alegre are still nervously looking over their shoulder. Falling to a routine 4-1 drumming against historic rivals Palmeiras on September 13th, Thursday’s guests have won just a pair of their previous 10 appearances across all competitions – a rut that stems back to the start of August. Coming under a huge amount of scrutiny, Internacional have also gained a reputation for their issues on the road. In fact, the former Corinthians boss has seen his downbeat squad must just a single point from their previous four showdowns away from the Beira-Rio.
Internacional Team News
Despite missing out against Botafogo last week after going away away with Brazil’s U20s, academy graduate Gustavo Prado should return to Diaz’s travelling squad. However, still dealing with a long-term knee injury, Lucca Drummond remains on the sidelines and will play no part here.
Finding the net on what was his first Serie A start since September 13th, Vitinho should keep his spot from the start and spearhead Internacional’s attack. One-time Sevilla star Gabriel Mercado will partner Vitao at the heart of Diaz’s defence.
Mirassol vs Internacional Key Factors to Consider
Mirassol have lost just a pair of their previous 10 consecutive Serie A showdowns – a run that stems back to August 9th.
Thursday’s hosts are unbeaten in all of their previous 13 straight home fixtures across all competitions (eight wins, five draws).
Internacional have won just a pair of their previous 10 appearances across all competitions – a rut that stems back to the start of August.
Diaz’s camp have also registered just a single point from their last four showdowns away from the Beira-Rio.
Internacional have failed to record a single Serie A clean sheet on their travels since the middle of April.
Conclusion
Landing a 2-1 victory against Fluminense last time out and continuing to shatter a string of records this season, Mirassol will be confident of claiming another heavyweight scalp here. Embarking on an iconic fairytale, Thursday’s hosts have rightfully received a string of plaudits. Likewise, unbeaten in all of their previous 13 consecutive showdowns in front of their own supporters, the Yellows will be hoping to widen their buffer in the Copa Libertadores spots.
Verdict: Mirassol win
Best Odds: 11/10
Bookmaker: Luckster
