TFT Issue 479!
FreeHowdy guys and girls!
Firstly, the public service announcement applicable for all International games at all times. Please approach them with real caution!! Many unexpected things can happen in games like these so play low stakes or sit back and observe for future refence.
Additionally, I find it hard to write a lot about these games because International games differ from club games in lots of ways, as you all know. Tactics, line-ups, motivation – they’re all random as hell. I’ll do my best but there’s simply not much to write, sorry – well, perhaps barring the Brazilian game I’m previewing!
Featured game
Japan vs Venezuela – home win with -1 Asian Handicap at 9/10.
Today’s featured game is the International Friendly in Sapporo between Japan and Venezuela.
Initially, I was concerned when I heard that Uchida and Konno were out for Japan as they’re both useful defenders, especially Uchida. Indeed, I even toyed with taking both sides to score, which was priced at evens. It looked good, or so I thought until I realised that Venezuela were bringing…well, nobody.
Japan have a few absentees with Abe and Okubo joining the above duo out of the squad. However, just bask in the brilliance that Japan have brought to play in this game, yeah? A midfield with Endo sat deep, allowing Honda, Kagawa, and Miyaichi to roam forward will cause any side problems. Okazaki etc. need to take their chances but there should be plenty of them, especially with Nagatomo tearing forward from full-back. This is very close to a full-strength Japan side and a very good Japan side, I have to say.
Venezuela, though – oh dear! I’ve championed them a fair bit when they’ve got a full team but when they’ve not, they tend to look very average. Goalkeeper Vega hasn’t made the cut for this experimental squad, which means we’ll see a samba fucker in net as they’re Venezuela’s only alternatives. There’s no Rey nor Rouga at the back, no influential Arango in midfield, nor Guerra, Rincon, Vitali, Gonzalez, and no ever-injured Vargas either. Up front, they opted not to bring current top goalscorer Maldonado, Moreno, and S.Rondon. To put it bluntly; this Venezuelan side is very weak indeed. They’ve managed to bring along Standard de Liege’s Seijas, who is a good midfielder, in my opinion. Lucena adds experience and Oroczo has potential. Rosales and Cichero add some experience at the back but we’re scraping the barrel here, gents.
As long as the Japanese put their backs into it – as they almost always do – then they should realistically record a very straightforward win here. For me, the -1 Asian Handicap looks a steal today at 9/10.
Verdict: Japan to beat the -1 Asian Handicap at 9/10.
Additional games
Croatia vs Switzerland – both sides to score at evens.
Life begins without Slaven Bilic for Croatia today. In his replacement, Croatia have found yet another legendary former centre-back in Igor Stimac. His first squad shows no Simunic, Leko, Klasnic, or Kalinic. The only big absentee there is Simunic, in my view. Strinic and Schildenfeld are ok but neither have the quality that the defenders before them had and that makes Croatia more vulnerable than they’re generally perceived to be. However, Croatia’s strength for the past couple of years has been attacking and scoring goals and is it any wonder? Look at their options; Eduardo, Olic, Jelavic, and Mandzukic can all find the net. Modric, Kranjcar, Rakitic, and Perisic can all make something from nothing. Add Srna and Vukojevic’s free-kicks and you have a very potent Croatian side although it remains to be seen how they perform under Stimac.
I really, really like this Swiss team, though. It’s one of the best I’ve seen since the mid-90’s and with Hitzfeld at the helm, they’re a very well-organised and dangerous side. The absence of Senderos at the back throws their organisation into question and the absence of Derdiyok up front may cause them problems with scoring goals. However, Shaqiri and Barnetta will patrol the flanks whilst the likes of Inler, Fernandes, and Xhaka can support whoever Hitzfeld goes with up front – most likely pacey Emeghara. That makes the Swiss dangerous, as does their height from set pieces, especially if it’s Barnetta who stands over the ball at the time! I’ve little faith in Djorou as he makes too many mistakes so the Swiss will most likely concede here. With Zieler and Lichtsteiner both very adverturous full-backs, however, I see this as a rather attacking Swiss side in a non-attacking formation so there should be some goals here.
I would have layed Croatia but their firepower scares me! I like the idea of both sides scoring at evens, though.
Verdict: Both sides to score at evens.
Denmark vs Slovakia – under 2.5 goals at 4/5.
What have we here? An average Danish side hosting a defensive Slovak side? This one must surely go under 2.5 goals!
Denmark have no Sorensen, no Simon Poulsen, no Christian Poulsen, Kahlenberg, Martin Jorgensen, Rommedahl, and no Kjaer today. They’re substantial blows, especially Kjaer’s absence as his natural replacement – Bjelland – is injured. If I had any faith in the Slovak attack then I’d not take this bet but I don’t. Krohn-Deli is in the squad but is AWOL mentally. Bendtner is not fully fit yet. Stokholm is 36; his best years were a long, long time ago. Vibe is still technically a lower league player. There’s a real lack of quality here, en mass, and I fear for Denmark as a result.
Fortunately for the Danes, Slovakia don’t tend to give a shit about attacking. That’s even more apparent for this game as they’ve ditched all of their regular/experienced attackers. Yes, that’s right – Vittek, Jendrisek, Sebo, and Holosko are all outside of this squad, bafflingly. I don’t know who they think will score goals for them because I don’t see anyone good enough. Bakos is good at Gambrinus Liga level and Jakubko has been around but neither are good enough for this level, in my view. Hamsik, Weiss, Stoch,and Sapara can make things happen when it suits them but there are no good strikers on the field so I don’t see what will happen. A Sapara special from a free-kick, perhaps? I don’t know. Durica and Cech sit this one out but Slovakia can afford defensive absentees; Zabavnik, Skrtel, Hubocan, and Pekarik will most likely be the experienced and dependable back four. I view Slovakia as a slightly weaker version of Russia, if that helps – well-organised, strong, defensive, won’t score many goals.
Barring an inspired display from either side, this game should cruise under 2.5 goals at 4/5.
Verdict: Under 2.5 goals at 4/5.
Austria vs Turkey – home win with draw no bet at evens.
Although it’s a fairly long shot, this one is my favourite “fun bet” of the day. Every time I’ve watched Austria in the past twelve months, they’ve impressed me. They never stop working, they’re relentless in their determination to attack, and they always cause sides more problems than they’re given credit for. Perhaps their “golden generation” i saw coming through a couple of years ago is finally emerging. I like Austria’s ability to upset sides and although they’re missing a lot of regular strikers today, I fancy them to apply pressure and really get under the skin of the Turks.
Turkey are obviously the better side, both technically and in terms of player quality. There are some big absentees in defence though, with no Sabri Sarioglu, Hakan Balta, nor Servet Cetin. Goalkeeper Volkan Demirel also misses out, which is another big blow. The Turkish defence is more vulnerable than normal, basically. Their attack is dangerous, though – Burak Yilmaz appears to become even more clinical as the time goes by and he’ll be a threat here, as will Arda Turan, Mehmet Topal, Nuri Sahin, and Caner Erkin. They’re good at attacking when they want to be – which tends to be in big games exclusively – but their defence is a joke so I give the advantage to their hosts here.
As long as Austria work hard, I don’t see them losing this one. The home win with draw no bet at evens really appeals to me against a side that tends to buckle far too easily.
Verdict: Austria to win with draw no bet at evens.
Germany vs Argentina – over 2.5 goals at 4/5.
Do I even need to write anything here? You’ve all seen plenty of both sides in action and recognise most of the players on the field. Gomez isn’t in the squad for Germany, along with Podolski, Lahm, Schweinsteiger, Neuer, and Mertesacker. They should have less organisation and reliability defensively and less leadership on the field, which may be a problem. The likes of Reus, Klose, Muller, Schurrle, and Ozil are good enough to trouble Argentina, though – we all know that. Argentina don’t have any really important absent players but have delightfully brought Aguero, Higuain, Messi, di Maria, and Lavezzi to terrorise a shaky German defence. For me, this game really should go over 2.5 goals, especially with the long-standing rivalry between the two nations.
Verdict: Over 2.5 goals at 4/5.
Belgium vs Netherlands – away win at 6/5.
Although I won’t deny that there aren’t many games that Belgium would want to win more than this one, I can’t help but feel that we’ll see a predictable Netherlands win. It’s Van Gaal’s first game this time around and he’s opted to play a more attacking(!) side than his predecessor van Maarwijk, which speaks volumes about what to expect here.
Belgium have a great team on paper. However, the general complaint from the Belgians is that they’re only good on paper and I agree to a certain extent. Despite the quality players they have, this side rarely plays as a unit and thus the players that unite them are the most important. Who unites their defence? Kompany. Who isn’t here? Kompany. With him alongside them, Vermaelen, Vertonghen, and Van Buyten all look more solid. Without him, I just don’t see it. There’s no Fellaini to break up the Dutch dominance in midfield, which subsequenly means that Hazard, Defour, Mertens, Witsel, and Lukaku will have less time to examine a rather shaky Dutch defence. Don’t get me wrong here; Belgium have the firepower to score against their bitter rivals. However, from a quality perspective and a reliability perspective, 6/5 on the Netherlands win looks a bit of a steal here. Scroll down to the bottom of the page to see the named line-up.
Verdict: Netherlands to win at 6/5.
Serbia vs Republic of Ireland – home win at 4/5.
Both sides have left out a number of regulars for varying reasons but the difference between the two sides is that the Serbian side doesn’t look like a pub team. Ok, so Vidic and Lukovic are out. No big deal, really – Subotic, Kolarov, and Ivanovic are all in the squad, as is goalkeeper Stojkovic. There’s plenty of experience and reliability in the back four, which is no surprise for a side governed by Sinisa Mihailjovic. Let’s hope that they don’t adopt his approach to temper control, though! In midfield, they’ve ditched Krasic, Jankovic, Kacar, Stankovic, and Milijas. They do look a bit thin on the ground there, admittedly, but Ninkovic, Tosic, and the ever-impressive Duricic should have enough to trouble Ireland. They need to get the ball forward a lot as there’s no Zigic, Sulejmani, nor Pantelic in their squad and thus the one leading their attack will be Lekic with the potential for pacey Markovic to get involved at some stage. As long as Serbia play a patient game and serve Lekic properly, though, I don’t see how they’ll not hold a lead that they should ultimately get.
Ireland have to cope without Given, Dunne, Kilbane, and St.Ledger here, which basically means that their defence is O’Shea. There’s no Lawrence, Andrews, Duff, nor Stephen Hunt, which means that their midfield is…McGeady. There’s no Doyle or Keane so that means that their attack will be…Long. These are good individual players but they’re carrying a team here; it’s just not enough. Whelan, Cox, Walters, Kelly – they’re all grafters but are generally a bit short in the quality department. Although Ireland are renowned for the ability to defend against sides, I don’t see how they’ll manage here with so many players out.
For me, there’s value on under-strength Serbia beating unrecognisable Ireland at 4/5, although I’d leave it if the odds drop.
Verdict: Serbia to win at 4/5.
France vs Uruguay – both sides to score at evens.
Deschamps has already said that he’ll be giving the kids an opportunity to shine for him today and looking at his squad, he’s not lying. Their defence is virtually unrecognisable with only Evra/Clichy with any real experience as Rami, Abidal, Mexes, Sagna, and Reveillere are out of the squad. Yanga-Mbiwa of Montpellier will get a chance to impress but he’s got to deal with Uruguay, which is far from easy at the best of times. In midfield, there’s no Cabaye, Ben Arfa, Alou Diarra, Nasri, nor Gourcuff. Ribery and Valbuena are present to lend a hand in attack but again, France are short of experience and will struggle to dominate the game, irrespective of Deschamps’ tactical supremacy. Benzema is in the squad though, which helps – France should really score in this game with the ability between both him and Ribery.
As far as winning the game goes, though, you have to favour Uruguay. They’re not at 100% with Suarez and Cavani both joining Fucile, Caceres, and Arevalo out of the squad. Oscar Tabarez is a very good manager, though – he knows how to win games. He’s brought in old “Loco” Abreu and the legendary Diego Forlan so it’s hardly a bad replacement duo for the afore-mentioned. In Abel Hernandez, they have a very promising striker and in Lodeiro they have a playmaker who is keen to re-establish himself. The two Pereiras, Gargano, Cristian Rodriguez – they’re all very good attacking players in their own way. Lugano and Godin will most likely be sat in front of goalkeeper Muslera and Lugano’s experience in France with PSG will no doubt give Uruguay a bit of an advantage here. Uruguay should be more than capable of scoring in this one but may well concede to a team that they’re frankly not going to know a lot about because most are newcomers to this level of football. My call is for both sides to score at evens.
Verdict: Both sides to score at evens.
Armenia vs Belarus – home win at 11/10.
Ah, you guys know how fond I am of Armenia by now!! I love watching their enthusiastic and effective attacking football. They can’t defend for shit, as is proven by the fact that 39-year old Hovsepyan will be leading the defence with their usual high line. However, they’re absolutely lethal in attack, even without former Ajax youngster Manucharyan, who misses out today. Pizzelli and Movsisyan will be the focal points of their attack today with Shakhtar Donetsk midfielder Mkhitaryan and Metalurg Donetsk midfielder Ghazaryan supporting them. Manoyan has looked good and it’ll be interesting to see if he features here. Traitor Ozbiliz is in the squad, too – he’s always capable of producing a surprise or two. I really fancy this attack-minded Armenia to do well in front of their beloved fans in Yerevan today!
I rate Belarus pretty highly but they’re missing far too many players here for my liking. Up front, Rodionov and Vyacheslav Hleb both miss out. There’s no Aliaksandr Hleb in midfield, nor Kulchiy, Kalachev, Krivets, and Karytska. Shitov, Yurevich, and Amelyanchuk are all out too so this is a rather inexperienced Belarusian side. The talented Renan will no doubt start as playmaker and the pace of Baga, Dragun, and Putsila will almost certainly have the Armenians shitting themselves. However, Kornilenko is not clinical enough to punish them, in my opinion. Their defence is a joke and given that that’s their strongest area, it’s hard to see them getting a result here.
For me, there has to be value on Armenia winning today.
Verdict: Armenia to win at evens.
Azerbaijan vs Bahrain – home win at evens.
Eh, Azerbaijan are simply a better side than Bahrain, in my view. Bahrain are very well-organised and hard to penetrate but that’s in Asia. They’re taking on an Azeri side with European experience and that look good going forward. Only Sukurov is missing; the rest are all present for the game in Baku. Captain Sadygov will start in defence, which immediately gives the Azeri side the confidence to attack properly. Huseynov, Certoganov, Subasic, and former CSKA Moscow hitman Javadov are all in the squad. The Azeri side are clearly intent on giving some promising youngsters a go as Umarov, Ozkara, and Gokdemir are all in the squad. However, there’s still more than enough in their ranks for them to beat Bahrain today, in my view.
Verdict: Azerbaijan to win at evens.
Singapore vs Hong Kong – home win at 6/5.
It’s unlikely that we’ll see a repeat of the game in June here today. After all, Singapore welcome back a lot of their internationals that didn’t travel to Hong Kong for that game. There are a number of problems with the Singaporean back four (mostly related to a lack of quality!) but their attack is strong. It’s packed with experience and pace that matters here, in my view – Singapore often look too slow. Helpfully, Hong Kong have brought a rather experimental squad with ten players under the age of 23 and they also miss captain Chan Wai Ho. Although Singapore can be exploited at the back, today’s hosts should be able to overcome their inexperienced opponents at 6/5.
Verdict: Singapore to win at 6/5.
Northern Ireland vs Finland – away win with draw no bet at 4/5.
Much like their bitter rivals to the south, Northern Ireland miss a whole host of integral players here. David Healy may be fatter than before and somewhat out-of-form but he’s still one of the most clinical finishers that they’ve ever produced and they do miss him. Feeney’s absence will also be felt with only grafter Paterson and occasionally capable Lafferty available to them. Brunt, Davis, and Baird bring experience into the squad as well as a smattering of potential. However, no McCann, Hughes, Maik Taylor, or Jonny Evans makes this Northern Ireland side somewhat bereft of a spine and I think that they’ll struggle against a slowly arising Finnish side today, irrespective of their passionate home support.
Finland are notorious for their lack of width, especially as that’s a rather fundamental problem with their usual 4-5-1. Happily, their only good winger – Hamalainen – is in the squad and Finland have already named a somewhat adventurous 4-4-2 with Kuqi and Pukki up front. Kuqi is a surprise but Pukki is very good; a real match-winner. Forsell is out of the squad, no doubt due to him not having a contract with a club at present. The two Eremenkos will start in midfield, which means that Finland should dominate possession without much fuss, especially with Sparv there to support them. They need a big game from Toivio with Lampi and Pasanen both out, especially with newcomer Maenpaa in goal. However, this Finnish side looks too strong for the Northern Irish, in my view – there’s actual cohesion and firepower in their ranks! I think taking Finland with draw no bet cover is well worth it at 4/5, especially with the likes of Sjolund and Riski able to lend a hand if required although I have to admit that I’m a bit concerned that Finland have already named their starting line-up, which has always been a very stupid thing to do, in my opinion.
Verdict: Finland to win with draw no bet at 4/5.
Iceland vs Faroe Islands – home win with -1.5 handicap at evens.
You all know that I love following Faroese football because I’m sad like that. However, this derby should see them take a beating, I’m afraid. I’ve been extremely impressed with this Icelandic side and it’s no surprise at all because I was extremely impressed with their U21 side a couple of years ago, who are now part of the senior team. Subsequently, the core of this side has a very good understanding with one another. Iceland play attractive attacking football and they’re bloody good at it too. Gylfi Sigurdsson pulls the strings whilst Ajax hitman Sigthorsson and new Helsingborg striker Finnbogason score the goals. Danielsson is there if Sigurdsson is having an off day and Iceland can also call upon the pace of Gudmunsson or Hallfredsson, not to mention the skill of Bjarnason. Ottesen and Sigurdsson should hold things together at the back but either way, this Iceland side looks more than capable of smashing a few goals past their local rivals with some very talented and underrated players in their ranks.
The Faroe Islands will go defensive here because that’s simply what they do. Their tactics are as plain as day; it’s long ball all day long. Why? Well, all the attackers that they’ve named are very quick and everyone else is defensive! Holst, Samuelsen, Edmundsson, Justinussen, Elttor – they’re all very quick players. Benjaminsen pulls the strings from the centre of the park but at his age, I wonder if a youthful and tenacious Icelandic midfield will be too much for him to handle. They did bring Suni Olsen to bail them out if they get free-kicks in dangerous locations but he’s pulled out with an injury. With full-back Tor Naes (who has played in Iceland for a couple of years so they know him!) their most experienced defender, I fancy them to struggle here. The fact that Mikkelsen is still their number one at what – 39? 40? – tells you how bad the goalkeeping situation is there. I’ve lost count at the number of times that he’s come out of retirement to bail them out. Davidsen is a decent defender and Faero has been immense since returning to B36 Torshavn from his studies in Scotland. However, the Faroe Islands look out of their depth here, in my opinion.
Wolves striker Sigurdarson pulled out of this game but this delightfully allows a heroic return for legend Eider Gudjohsen to re-enter the Icelandic setup. As long as Iceland turn it on, this should be a very one-sided game. I like the Iceland -1.5 handicap at evens very much, especially with Gregersen out of the centre of defence for the Faroese.
Verdict: Iceland to beat the -1.5 handicap at evens.
Faroe Islands U21 vs Denmark U21 – away win with -1.5 handicap at 4/5.
This tip goes against the grain for me as I rate the Faroese at home. Their artificial turf and windy conditions tend to make it a nightmare to take them on at home. However, they have a huge problem; they just don’t score goals. They attack well enough but they’re nowhere near clinical enough to score here! Famous last words, perhaps, but they’re so wasteful that I think they’d have to have a penalty or some Danish assistance to score in this game, especially with Hallur Hansen having been drafted to the senior team for their game with Iceland, as have defender Joensen and goalkeeper Joensen. Eysturoy has pulled out of this game with injury, which further depletes the Faroese defence. I fear the form of Bartalstovu and Olsen but they’re all that bother me here.
Denmark, on the other hand, look dangerous enough to win this by a few goals if they adapt to the conditions of their former colony properly. Emil Larsen of OB Odense, Mads Albaek of Midtylland, and Andreas Laudrup of Nordsjaelland should be able to run riot here, just as Denmark did at home when they won 4-0 earlier in the current campaign. There’s experience at the back in Vestergaard and Christiansen of Nordsjaelland has done little but impress for a year or two now.
I just see a big gulf between these two sides right now. I don’t easily write off the Faroese but with the above in mind, taking Denmark to beat the -1.5 handicap at 4/5 looks very interesting.
Verdict: Denmark U21 to beat the -1.5 handicap at 4/5.
Atletico Goianiense vs Atletico Mineiro – away win at evens.
Lastly, we head to Brazil to see samba relegation outfit Atletico Goianiense host league leaders Atletico Mineiro. Star striker Wesley sits this one out for the hosts, which is a pretty hefty blow as he tends to be involved in either making or scoring the goals that Goianiense do score. Marcos and Rafael Cruz return for Goianiense but their defence is shocking anyway; that doesn’t really concern me. Midfielder Bida is still suspended following the doping allegations and although Goianiense have impressed lately with their battling skills, I just think that they’re out of their depth against a smooth and accomplished Atletico Mineiro today.
Atletico Mineiro have only failed to score once in their last four away games and enter this game on the back of a morale-boosting win against title rivals Vasco da Gama. It was hard work but Ronaldinho and Jo eventually combined (surprise, surprise!) to give Atletico Mineiro the goal that won them the game. They miss regular defender Leonardo Silva here and pacey attacker Danilinho is still out but this Atletico Mineiro side has an outstanding attack with Ronaldinho pulling the strings and Jo scoring the goals. Those two should be too much for plucky Goianiense to handle, in my view.
Don’t be surprised if Atletico Goianiense score here as that’s simply what they do best. I do think that they’ll find it hard to do that without Wesley, though. However, Atletico Mineiro are better at it and they’re in a good vein of form so the away win at evens does look tempting today.
Verdict: Atletico Mineiro to win at evens.
Team news
International Friendlies:
Scotland – Forrest, Dorrans, Bardsley, Mackie, Whittaker, Brown, Miller, and Fletcher are absent.
Australia – Herd, Kennedy, Cahill, and Kewell are absent.
Japan – Kiyotake and Sakai are absent.
Turkey – Gokhan Gonul, Volkan Demirel are absent.
Sweden – Kallstrom, Wiland, Bajrami, Elmander, M.Olsson, Rosenberg, Jarand Gerndt are absent. Ibrahimovic is a doubt.
Bulgaria – Berbatov, M.Petrov, S.Petrov, Bozhinov, and Georgiev are absent.
Serbia – Vidic, Pantelic, Zigic, Stankovic, Krasic, Jovanovic are absent.
Israel – Ben-Haim is unlikely to feature.
Croatia – New boss – Igor Stimac.
Italy – Balotelli is absent, along with a whole host of regulars, who are outside of the squad. Balzaretti is a doubt.
Hungary – Gera, Hajnal, Rudolf, and Elek are absent. Szalai returns.
Norway – Carew, Tettey, Berisha, Parr, and Soderlund are absent.
Poland – New boss – Fornalik. Matuszczyk is absent.
Finland – Raitala and Arajuuri are absent. Line-up named – Maenpaa, Arkivuo, Toivio, Moisander, Uronen, Hamalainen, R.Eremenko, Sparv, A.Eremenko, Pukki, Kuqi.
Russia – Kerzhakov and Kombarov are absent. Logashov will start. New boss – Capello.
Denmark – C.Poulsen, Bjelland, Sorensen, and Rommedahl are absent.
Estonia – Piiroja, Klavan, Stepanov, and Rahn are absent.
Netherlands – New boss – van Gaal. Starting eleven named – Stekelenburg, van Rhijn, Heitinga, Mathijsen, Willems, van der Vaart, de Jong, Sneijder, Narsingh, Huntelaar, Robben.
Spain – Xavi, Puyol, Negredo, Villa, Alba, and Mata are absent.
Brazilian Serie A:
Cruzeiro – Alex Silva, William Magrao, Marcelo Oliveira, and Victorino are absent. Elber returns.
Fluminense – Marcos Junior, Deco, Wellington Nem, and Valencia are absent. Anderson and Vieira may return.
Gremio – Vilson, Werley, Marcelo Moreno, Julio Cesar, and Fabio Aurelio are absent.
Portuguesa – Valdomiro, Lima, Leandro Silva, and Guilherme are absent.
Atletico Goianiense – Wesley, Bida, Adriano Pimenta, Felipe Brisola, and Leonardo are absent. Marcos and Rafael Cruz may return.
Atletico Mineiro – Leonardo Silva, Danilinho, and Triguinho are absent. Neto Berola may return.
Ponte Preta – Rildo, Rene Junior, Tony, Nikao, and Wescley are absent. Roger may return.
Bahia – Danny Morais, Fahel, Titi, Vander, Kleberson, Madson, Coelho, Elias, Jeferson, and Claudio Pitbull are absent. Souza and Avine return.
Botafogo – Marcio Azevedo, Amaral, Lodeiro, Mattos, Zen, Dantas, and Willian are absent.
Sport Recife – Cicinho, Henrique, Gilberto, Reinaldo, and Bruno Aguiar are absent. Diego Ivo returns.
Nautico – Jean Rolt and Rogerio are absent. Martinez returns.
Sao Paulo – Luis Fabiano, Canete, Welington, Fabricio, and Bruno Uvini are absent. Lucas Moura returns.
Palmeiras – Daniel Carvalho, Wesley, Roman, Luan, and Maikon Leite are absent. Leandro Amaro and Valdivia return.
Flamengo – Gonzalez, Caceres, Maldonado, and Airton are absent. Thiago Medeiros and Amaral are doubts. Leo Moura returns.
Polish Liga 1:
Nieciecza – Jarecki is absent.
Sandecja Nowy Sacz – Borovicanin is a doubt.
Kolejarz Stroze – No news.
Miedz Legnica – Bledzewski and Grzegorzewski are absent.
Bogdanka Leczna – No news.
Brzesko – Krzak, Szymonik, Dynarek left.
LKS Lodz – No news.
Stomil Olsztyn – Remisz, Koprucki, and Leszczynski are absent. No fans allowed at this game.
Olimpia Grudziadz – Szczot is absent.
Dolcan Zabki – Jaron may debutise.
Flota Swinoujscie – No news.
Polonia Bytom – No news.
Katowice – Goncerz and Beliancin are doubts.
Warta Poznan – Mysiak is absent.
Zawsiza Bydgoszcz – Jankowski, Stefanczyk, Popek, and Kaczmarek are absent. Hermes is a doubt.
Tychy 71 – Kopczyk is absent. Chomiuk returns. Babiarz and Zunic may debutise.