Grêmio Hosts São Paulo in Crucial Match on Thursday Night

PORTO ALEGRE, Brazil (AP) — Grêmio will host São Paulo at the Arena in Porto Alegre on Thursday at 7 p.m. local time, a match critical for both teams in the 28th round of the Brasileirão.

Grêmio comes into the game after a controversial 1-0 loss to Red Bull Bragantino. The gaúchos have faced player suspensions, with Marlon and Kannemann currently unavailable due to yellow cards from that match. Their club is seeking to overturn these suspensions with the STJD, but no decision has been reached yet.

Currently, Grêmio sits in 13th place, with 33 points from 27 matches, struggling to regain form after their latest setback. Manager Mano Menezes is optimistic about fielding regular players Marcos Rocha, Cuéllar, and Carlos Vinicius, who have returned from previous absences.

On the other side, São Paulo is also looking to bounce back. They suffered a 3-2 defeat against Palmeiras that ignited further debate about the refereeing in their matches. The club is determined to secure a spot in the G-6, aiming for Libertadores qualification. São Paulo currently ranks 8th with 38 points.

Head coach Hernán Crespo has to cope with several injuries, including notable absences from Rafael Tolói and Luan. Despite these setbacks, the team is relying on players like Luciano and Tapia to make an impact during the match.

Both teams will vie for points as they aim to reverse their fortunes in the league. The game promises to be closely contested, with Grêmio slightly favored due to their home advantage. Fans can follow the action live on Sportv and Premiere.