With all the game coming thick and fast, there is little time, if any for a preview.
As I write this Gameweek 14 is in progress with a set of games still to be played today. Gameweek 15 is coming up this weekend with three games on Saturday and seven games on Sunday. Almost half the season is complete and some very interesting trends are now emerging, despite the free for all nature of the league.
Saturday sees two of the top four in action as the frenetic scramble for points continues.
Luiz Felipe Scolari's Palmeiras hosts Gremio as the former seeks to get back ahead of Vasco Da Gama whom they slipped behind following a draw at Coritiba in midweek. Marcos Assuncao scored for the second game in a row and will be looking for three in three against a team that is struggling for goals and has only won once away from home all season. A home win is on the cards. Will Bill ?
Flamengo continues their ominous form as they host cup finalists Coritiba at home. With a 14 game unbeaten stretch having taken them to the threshold of the league lead, Ronaldinho, Thiago Neves and Deivid will be looking to extend than run with a strong home win. Coritiba's up and down season should stutter again with a loss.
The final game on Saturday sees Figueirense travel to Athletico Mineiro hoping to win their first away game of the season. A draw seems likely but both teams have won just once in their last five games each.
Sunday sees seven games as the remaining 14 teams are in action.
Relegation zone, but still non-threatened Santos host Ceara in a game they badly have to win and will hope to as they try to get out of 18th spot and move back up the table. Despite Ceara being several spots higher in the table than Santos, Neymar, Ganso and co will fancy a crucial three points in this fixture.
Internacional host Cruzeiro and with Gremio potentially losing away, should win. Inter are unbeaten in two games and have a handy home record while Cruzeiro have lost three in a row since they upset Corinthians away. Wallyson and Walter Montillo versus Leandro Damiao, Oscar and the Argentine legion.
Fluminense travel to America Mineiro and Corinthians, league leaders still, travel to At Para, in two games that see away wins at the league's two worst clubs.
Later, there is a big Rio derby with Botafogo hosting Vasco Da Gama. Despite Vasco's great recent form, the local rivalry will give the game an extra edge and even things out. Botafogo may have lost three out their last five but are still in the top eight and this game could finish a high scoring draw. Elton versus Elkeson.
The late games on Sunday see Avai host Sao Paulo and At Go travel to Ceara. Although Avai have gone on a tear to edge out of the relegation zone as they head up the table, beating Corinthians enroute, Sao Paulo's excellent away form and all round attack should see them off. Sao Paulo have won five out of seven away from home while Avai have won just once at home. Sao Paulo will also look at this game as an excellent opportunity to put more pressure on Palmeiras and Vasco and get back into the top three. However could William throw a spanner into the works ?
Ceara and At Go should play out a draw, Ceara have lost twice in a row while At Go are unbeaten in three games. Having said that Ceara are a formidable side at home and no team relishes the long trip up North. Anselmo versus Washington.
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