Ten days ago I wrote .....

 

This season, only the top 5 in the league will qualify for Copa Libertadores (5th goes into qualifying) instead of the normal six, the extra spot will go to the runner up in the Copa do Brasil, so, both finalists will qualify for the premier international competition. We all know that they will get one or two extra places anyway, either from the domestic cup, if that team or teams has already qualified via the league, or through Sudamericana (where they could have 7 of the final 16!). However,it is worth remembering later in the season and it gives the Copa do Brasil, which is always treated seriously in any case, greater importance and the R16 two legged ties that are scheduled for August 1-2 and August 5-6.

 

 

Vasco da Gama- Fluminense

Internacional- Corinthians

Mirassol- Gremio

Athletico Paranaense- Vitória

Athletico Mineiro- Juventude

Santos- Remo

Chapecoense- Cruzeiro

Palmeiras - Fortaleza

 

Such is the way in Brazil, that probably all 16 will be "up" for these games, but some should really have other targets for this season.

 

All apart from Chapecoense and Athletico Mineiro have played this midweek, either in the league , or Copa Sudamericana. CAM have had a week off to bask in the warm glow of a 2-1 win at league leaders Palmeiras. Fortaleza and Juventude are both Serie B teams having been relegated last season, they are pushing for an immediate return and that should be priority, the pair actually played Tuesday this midweek , everyone else Wednesday, apart from Corinthians/Gremio/CAP/Cruzeiro who had Thursday fixtures.

 

Remo sit second bottom in Serie A, they are the first team from the North to play in the top flight for 21 years and it is a big deal not just for them, but the region and surely survival is their #1 aim.

 

Chapecoense are already all but doomed at the foot of Serie A, so will be giving this their best shot.

 

Most motivated teams are the four in blue type IMO, as they are positioned as to be unlikely to qualify for Copa Libertadores through the league and all would be considered big clubs.

 

Those in red are in the Copa Libertadores R16 for THIS season, those ties are to be played August 11-13/ August 18-20. Were those teams to progress in the Copa do Brasil, that would mean six cup and four league games to be played in a 32 day period and I doubt all, especially Mirassol, would have the resources for that. They are still at the stage where survival has to come first and then CL which is a massive achievement for them to have even qualified, as last season was their first ever in the top flight.

 

I have to be honest and say that, as is often the case in these two legged ties, the return match is more interesting as we have a better idea of where we stand and who needs what and it is fairer, as both have the same rest and recovery period between games.

 

Athletico Paranaense- Vitória is also of interest, the hosts played Thursday, but this game has been moved to Monday which makes things easier. CAP are also 8-2-1 at home and the visitors are poor travellers and this is one of their longest journeys of the season (2,400km) and Vitória played Palmeiras in midweek with nine men for an hour and they are short handed defensively and four games in 10 days ( did not score in first three) feels too much. CAP are also a big cup team, with two Copa Sudamericana and two Copa do Brasil finals in the last eight years, winning three.

 

 

 

   Good luck!