Preview: Internacional vs. Corinthians - prediction, team news, lineups

On Sunday, Internacional and Corinthians will do battle, with the sides level on points in the Campeonato Brasileiro table.

The hosts head into the weekend in sixth position, while Corinthians sit a place lower, and both sides are aiming to finish in the top four to qualify automatically for next season's Copa Libertadores.

Match preview

Internacional have had a solid campaign, having accumulated 40 points this season, although their recent fixtures have seen mixed results.

Their last six games have yielded eight points, and they enter Sunday's fixture without a win in their last two games.

A 1-0 defeat by Palmeiras last weekend was followed by a 1-1 draw in midweek, when they hosted Bragantino, an encounter which saw Internacional take the lead through Mauricio, but Bruno Goncalves equalised in the fifth minute of stoppage time to deny the home side the victory.

If Internacional are to win at the weekend, then Yuri Alberto will be crucial, with the forward scoring 11 league goals this season.

Diego Aguirre's side will be looking to continue an impressive unbeaten seven-game home run, with five wins coming in that period.

Corinthians are also on 40 points, and they look set to better last season's 12th-placed finish.

They saw a 10-game unbeaten run come to an end on October 9, when they lost to Sport Recife, and Corinthians followed that defeat with a victory against Fluminense before losing to local rivals Sao Paulo in their most recent fixture.

Jonathan Calleri scored in the seventh minute for Sao Paulo in the derby and that goal was enough to condemn Corinthians to a 1-0 defeat.

Sylvinho will be hopeful that his side can get a positive result on Sunday, with Corinthians only suffering three away defeats in the league this term.

Although, their form on the road has dipped of late, with Sylvinho's side winless in their last four away games.

Internacional Brasileiro form:

• L
• D
• W
• W
• L
• D

Corinthians Brasileiro form:

• W
• D
• W
• L
• W
• L

Team News

Internacional will be without Daniel and Paolo Guerrero, who are both absent due to injury.

Vinicius Mello will also miss out, with the forward set to miss the rest of the season.

After returning to the starting lineup and scoring last weekend, Mauricio will keep his place in the side.

Corinthians are without Willian and Roni, who have thigh and knee problems respectively.

Ruan Oliveira is out for the rest of the season with an ACL injury.

Fagner will come into the side after returning from suspension, but Sylvinho will have to cope without Joao Victor, who is suspended due to yellow card accumulation.

Internacional possible starting lineup:
Lomba; Saravia, Rocha, Cuesta, Moises; Johnny, Dourado, Taison; Mauricio, Patrick, Alberto

Corinthians possible starting lineup:
Cassio; Fagner, Gil, Gustavo, Santos; Pereira, Giuliano, Cantillo, Augusto, Adson; Guedes

We say: Internacional 1-1 Corinthians

With the sides on the same number of points, this is close contest, but given the fact that five of the previous six meetings between the two have ended all square, we think this encounter will end in a draw.

Top tip

Our expert tipster partners at Sporita.com are predicting a double chance bet on a home win or draw in this match. Click here to find out what else they are predicting for this game and for more of their tried-and-tested football tips.Home/Draw:data

ID:468098:1false2false3false:QQ:: from db desktop :LenBod:collect8904: