Three runaway teams, three lead changes, three different leaders.
How the 2011 Brazilian Serie A keep on ticking, with thrills and spills aplenty. Week 16 kicks off this weekend and we preview the action right here.
All 20 teams are in action with four games on Saturday and six more on Sunday.
Saturday:
First up Sao Paulo hope to keep up the pressure when they host second from bottom At Para. Shorn of five of their team, on duty with the U20 side at the World Cup, Sao Paulo are still formidable and will look to have early goals to wrap up the points. Para have improved in recent weeks but this is a bridge too far for them. Expect Lucas and Dagoberto to score for the home team while Anselmo might get one back for Para.
Cruzeiro host Avai and will try to use this as a home banker for three points to get hem back into the mix. Avai have lost three of the last five but only one of their last four, including a win over Corinthians. Cruzeiro, after a similar win over Corinthians have lost four on the trot. Can they turn things around ? Walter Montillo and Wallyson hold the key to their hopes.
In a bottom of the table clash, Santos visit At Go. Normally this would be a good pick for an away win but Santos have blown hot and cold this season. With Neymar and Ganso returning from international duty in midweek, expect Santos to still struggle against a resurgent At Go who may well fancy a home win.
Finally, Botafogo host bottom side America Mineiro. Expect a pasting to be dealt out as the Rio side look to break into the top four. Elkeson alert, the striker leads Botafogo with five goals.
Sunday:
Joint leaders Corinthians host Ceara and should pick up an easy three points. While Corinthians have only won once in their last five games, Ceara have lost three in a row including just one away win.
Vasco Da Gama face much stiffer opposition as they host Palmeiras in the game of the round. Cup winners Vasco are tied with Palmeiras on 27 points but the visitors have a far superior difference of +11. Expect a cagey affair that should end in a draw. There are too many goalscorers for this to end nil-nil but both teams will look to prevent the other from winning at all costs.
Figueirense host Flamengo as the league's only unbeaten side puts its record on line with a trip to Florianopolis. Fig have won two after losing two, can they keep the streak alive ? Flamengo are bursting with confidence and forward momentum, expect an away win with Ronaldinho scoring the points off a free kick.
Cup finalists Coritiba take on Atletico Mineiro in a game that both teams will hope to win to end a run of losses and dropped points. Mineiro have the firepower and personnel but have been tepid this season after a decent start. Close away win.
Gremio play Fluminense in another high octane matchup that features last year's winners and one of the heavyweights going at it it. Gremio have only lost once at home but have drawn four other games as its attack is still not lighting things up. Fluminense have won three times in their last five games but lost last week. The return of national team striker Fred should help them out. High scoring draw.
Finally Bahia host Internacional. Shorn of Oscar, on duty with the U20 side, Inter are blunted but still possess enough quality to see off the northern giants. Bahia have only lost once in their last five and could upset the applecart but Jobson and Reinaldo apart contain few notables. A draw may be the most likely result.
Santos visit to At Go and Palmeiras visit to Vasco are the two key games of the round. With a loss Santos could fall back into the relegation battle while the latter match is a top of the table six pointer.
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