The herd is thinning.
Corinthians and Vasco took massive strides towards the title with wins that keeps them atop the standings. The former saw off relegation threatened At Para 2-1 at home with goals from Paulinho and Emerson while Vasco went one better notching a huge win over title rivals Botafogo at home, 2-0. Fellipe Bastos and Dede scored for the league leaders in a reuslt that all but cuts Botafogo loose. With the defeat Botafogo's season is all but over as they slump to fifth spot on 5 points, six behind the leaders.
Also seeing their title charge go up in smoke were former leaders and one time favourites Flamengo. They lost 2-0 at Coritiba to drop to sixth, also on 55, also six behind the leaders. Fellow Rio side Fluminense also slipped up losing 2-1 at home to bottom two America Mineiro, but remain in third, on the outside looking in with 56 points.
Promoted Figueirense, on the other hand, continued their excellent season with another win, this time over America's neigbours Atletico to improve to fourth place, a surprising return in a memorable season. Also on 56 points they are behind Flumiense on head to head records. Having lost 3-0 earlier in the season, they square off on the weekend in week 36.
In other results Santos won again, their third in a row and fourth in five games, with a 3-2 win at Ceara. They move up to eighth but are surely too far behind to challenge for the title. In other games Internacional lost for the second round in a row 1-0 at Cruzeiro, Palmeiras and Gremio drew 2-2, while Bahia picked up a precious 1-0 win at At Go. Finally, Sao Paulo picked up an important win, 1-0 over Avai, to remain in the top eight, their title hopes in tatters.
Four games remain for everyone and we look at the run in below:
Conrinthians:
Games Remaining - @ Ceara, v Atletico Mineiro, @ Figueirense, v Palmeiras
While an opening trip to the remote Northern outpost of Ceara can be daunting, especially with their opponents fighting relegation, it is followed by a match against Atletico who have escaped relegation and sit rudderless in lower midtable. A test at Figueirense in the second last round is the biggest challenge before they look to round out a championship season at home to local rivals Palmeiras. On paper three of their last four games are against teams in the bottom half.
Outlook - 10 points, Champions.
Vasco Da Gama:
@ Palmeiras, v Avai, @ Fluminense, v Flamengo
Three of their final four games are difficult matches with trips to Palmeiras and Fluminense, before hosting Flamengo, who remain at large. A welcome game at home to rock bottom Avai will be provide some relief from a daunting run in. This will be the stretch of games that sees Vasco quest for a double run aground.
Outlook - 6 points, Runners-Up.
Fluminense:
v Gremio, @ Figueirense, v Vasco, @ Botafogo
A gimme over Gremio is followed by a crunch game at Figueirense in a game that should decide third place. Hosting Vasco in aother crunch game is followed by a second consecutive Derby away to Botafogo. While at least three wins are the basic remit for a title tilt, in actuality six points are the most they can hope for.
Outlook - 6 points, Fourth.
Figueirense:
@ Flamengo, v Fluminense, v Corinthians, @ Avai
Their destiny is in their own hands. The title will also pass through their stadium. Essentially everything is up to the team who most forget, only came up from Serie B in the offseason. Their away form has been exemplary, their home form strong and they have won six games in a row and are unbeaten in 13. I reckon they'll improve on their placing further with two wins and two draws
Outlook - 8 points, Third.
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