Sao Paulo vs Corinthians Predictions

Sunday’s Brazilian Serie A action sees local rivals Sao Paulo and Corinthians doing battle at the Morumbi. A close and tight affair is expected to be in order, with more than just the 3 points at stake.

The season is running along in solid, if unspectacular fashion for Sao Paulo, with the side on course to achieve their minimum aim of a Copa Libertadores place but little more. Dogged by injuries throughout the campaign and having previously struggled for goals under Cuca, Tricolor currently lie 5th with 40 points from 24 outings.

New boss Fernando Diniz, who is typically a more attacking style of manager has struggled to shake old habits out of the team since arriving, with 2 of his first 3 games in charge ending in dull 0-0 draws. A win in the derby would go a long way towards lifting some of the pressure building on the team but having won just 1 of their 4 home games, Sao Paulo don’t really look like getting it.

Meanwhile, Corinthians are running along in a similar fashion in that they’re short of the points needed to be part of the title race but do look like finishing in the top 6. Also like their opponents here, Fabio Carille’s men aren’t the most exciting of sides to watch and tend to play in a fairly conservative manner, much to supporter’s dismay.

With 43 points from 24 games, Corinthians are currently 4th and they’ve been strong and consistent in Serie A over recent months. Indeed, they’ve lost just 1 of their last 16 matches in the league but the fact they’ve drawn 7 of said games is somewhat disappointing and they arrive for this game off the back of sharing the spoils in each of their last 2 matches, as well as in 5 of their last 7 away games.

Ultimately, derbies in South America tend to be tight and cagey given the sheer magnitude of them and this one certainly looks like following the pattern. Neither Sao Paulo or Corinthians have been regular good watches in Serie A this season and this isn’t a game that’s likely to be one for the footballing purist.

All things considered, we find the two very difficult to separate and it’s backing a draw that looks the best way to play as far as the betting is concerned. As mentioned above, both teams frequently share the spoils in their respective matches and given the last time the two met in Morumbi it ended 0-0, we fancy that scoreline to be repeated again this Sunday.