Brasileirão latest – Everton on fire

Not so fast – Everton halts São Paulo in their tracks (Roberto Viní­cius/Agência Estado)

After the break for the World Cup, the Brazilian Serie A is back and the games are coming thick and fast. São Paulo have been doing very well, but last night Grêmio, and their in form winger Everton (nicknamed cebolinha), stopped them in their tracks. Continue reading

Brasileirão 2018 preview

Will it be a straight fight between Palmeiras and Corinthians? (Pic: Amanda Perobelli /Estadao)

The Brasileirão kicks off this weekend. Palmeiras are the bookies’ favourites. Corinthians are the pundits’ favourites. Cruzeiro, Grêmio and Flamengo will want to have something to say about that. Here’s a lowdown of all the teams, the major ins and outs, players to watch, my predictions and the latest betting odds. Continue reading

Grêmio begin Libertadores title defence

Staying. At least until June. (pic: AFP)

The 2018 Copa Libertadores group stages get under way this week, just three months after the 2017 competition finished. Defending Champions Grêmio play Defensor Sporting, from Uruguay, on Tuesday. While Corinthians play Millionarios (Colombia) and Flamengo take on River Plate (Argentina) on Wednesday. Continue reading

Série A update: Corinthians still top

Former Man City striker Jí´ has scored 9 league goals in 15 games (Photo: Agencia Corinthians)

The games sure do come thick and fast in Brazil. It’s been just over two months since I published my Série A preview on the eve of the competition and here we are in gameweek 16 already. Did I mention the Copa do Brasil, Copa Libertadores or Copa Sulamericana? Here’s what’s happened since my last Série A update. Continue reading

Excellent Corinthians march on

Jadson celebrates his winner on Sunday (Photo: Agencia Corinthians)

Corinthians continued their excellent form by beating Grêmio on Sunday, and opening up a four point lead at the top of the Série A. They don’t play the sort of football that you might associate with Brazilian league leaders – its more like the stuff that Arrigo Sacchi would be proud of. But they are well organised, hardly concede any goals and know how to win football matches. On current form, nobody will stop them. Can they keep it up? Continue reading