Mauricio’s Brasileirão Preview

The most balanced national championship in the world begins this Saturday: the Brazilian Championship, or if you prefer Brasileirão! You can follow everything here with the summary of the main matches of the round, predictions and the main highlights. The championship is the same as previous years, with 20 clubs disputing 38 rounds.

The first six enter in Libertadores Cup, from 7th to 12th they enter in Sul-Americana Cup and the last four go to the second division.

Below is an overview of each team and it’s main players. The order of the teams is my prediction for where they will finish at the end of the championship.

1 PALMEIRAS

Current champions, the team is favourite again. Palmeiras keep the last year’s players, bringing signings like Guerra and Borja, but lost its main player Gabriel Jesus. In addition, it started a difficult year, but last week changed his manager, bringing back, after only 5 months, his former manager Cuca.

Main players: Dudu and Yerri Mina.

2 FLAMENGO

The team that have the biggest fans in Brazil can hope for another Brazilian title. After a good championship in 2016, the year started well with the Carioca title. The team trained by Zé Ricardo is ready, and it is hoped that the young Vinicius Junior, who is practically sold to Real Madrid, shows all his talent.

Main players: Guerrero and Diego.

3 ATLÉTICO MG

Despite losing one of his main players for this season, Lucas Pratto, transferred to São Paulo, “Galo” once again is a candidate for the title. A hiring of the young manager Roger Machado, adept of a quality football, with many touches of the ball, already resigned the title of the Mineiro championship. With two of the best forwards of Brazil, with experienced Fred and Robinho, Atletico have everything to win the title after 47 years.

Main players: Fred and Robinho.

4 GRÊMIO

The Brazilian Cup champion will fight for a position at Libertadores Cup, but don’t worry if compete for the title. Despite the loss of midfielder Walace, to Hambuger SV, Grêmio signed with players to compose the team, that was reduced, besides the centre-forward Lucas Barrios. Despite a not so good start to the year, the “King of Cups” commanded by his greatest idol in history, Renato Portaluppi, can perceive.

Main players: Luan and Miller Bolaños.

5 CORINTHIANS

After a start of the year with the distrust of the technician Fabio Carille, “Timão” won the state classics and the Paulista championship. With a strong defense, with a scheme focused on the counterattack, the team does not enter in the championship with an expectation to play Libertadores Cup again. With the force of his passionate fans, it can never be doubted.

Main players: Jadson and Rodriguinho

6 FLUMINENSE

Discredited at the beginning of the year, Fluminense showed one of the best games of Brazil in this four months. With an experienced manager and a young team, who plays in a fast way, they can surprise everybody.

Main players: Gustavo Scarpa and Sornoza

7 CRUZEIRO

A team without big stars, but with reinforcements for the season. With the former Brazilian manager in charge, Mano Menezes, Cruzeiro despite a good start of the year, has to confirm his good football.

Main players: Arrascaeta and Thiago Neves

8 BOTAFOGO

Candidate to goes to the second division and classified to Libertadores Cup. This is Botafogo of the young manager Jair Ventura, the son of former Brazilian national team player Jairzinho. The lack of options without many players may be a problem a long championship.

Top Players: Camilo and Montillo

9 SANTOS

A team that can dispute the title or not stay near of Libertadores Cup. This is Santos and their uncertainties. Despite a good cast, we don’t know what the team can show us.

Main players: Lucas Lima and Ricardo Oliveira

10 ATLETICO PR

With an experienced manager, with an experienced team, complemented by good young values. This is an ideal setting for a football team, but it is not what CAP showed this year. In addition to losing the championship of Paraná, it could be disqualified from Libertadores Cup.

Main players: Weverton and Lucho González

11 SÃO PAULO

A team trying to find your identity. With his biggest idol as manager, Rogerio Ceni has a great challenge ahead. The beginning of the year showed great difficulties for the “Tricolor Paulista”.

Main players: Lucas Pratto and Cueva

12 SPORTS

The biggest club in the Northeast will try to prove in Brazilian championship its value. With a team that plays together for a long time, Sport must win a lot of games in its stadium, Ilha do Retiro.

Main players: Diego Souza and Rithely

13 CORITIBA

Surprised at the beginning of this year as the winner of the state championship. In recent years Coritiba has struggled not to be relegated to the second division, but probably it will not happen this year.

Main Players: Kleber and Anderson

14 PONTE PRETE

With a second place of the main state championship of the country, Ponte Preta lost its main player. Let’s see how the “Macaca” will react with this loss.

Main Players: Emerson Sheik and Fernando Bob

15 VITÓRIA

Can an undefeated champion team dismiss the coach? 99.9% of the time not, but that’s what happened with Vitória. Although state champion, the team that made several signings in the season did not play well. Work starts from scratch, and we don’t know where it will stop.

Main Players: Cleiton Xavier and Willian Farias

16 CHAPECOENSE

After one of the greatest tragedies of football, Chapecoense tries to rebound. And with a whole new cast, they got his first title. The second team of all Brazilians will have to show again its value.

Main Players: Reinaldo and Luiz Antonio

17 VASCO

The great Vasco da Gama returns to the first division and the first objective will be not to be relegated, which has happened three times in the last 10 years. With an experienced team, Vasco will try to show his greatness.

Main players: Nenê and Luís Fabiano

18 BAHIA

With the same coach and the same team that went up to the first division last year, Bahia will have to improve a lot to remain in the first division. Difficult mission difficult, but not impossible.

Main players: Régis and Hernane

19 AVAÍ

A strong candidate for relegation, Avaí will have to surprise Brazil to remain in the first division.

Main players: Marquinhos and Betão

20 ATLÉTICO GO

Despite being the champion of the second division, the team did not reach the final of its state championship. With a small and weak team, it will be difficult to escape of relegation.

Main players: Walter and Jorginho

So, what do you think? Do you agree with my predictions? Let’s talk on my twitter: @mwgremio

See below the matches of the first round, according to BR Time.