Guide to the Campeonato Brasileiro 2009

[Martin]

Wow, what a goal from Diego Souza! Nice goal by Cleiton Xavier too. You know Cleiton Xavier's absence not so concidentally coincided with Palmeiras late slump. I think he adds a lot of balance to the team's midfield and is a player Dunga should consider.

As Alexao enthusiastically writes, this is Flamengo's title to lose and they'll close at home against Gremio who do not travel well. Flamengo won without Adriano who burned himself on Friday in a home accident. Even when playing well and apparently minding his business he seems to attract problems like a magnet! But Flamengo have been the best team in the 2nd half of the season so it is hard to take away merit from them if they do end up winning the championship. I will be happy for Andrade, who I always liked as a player, if they do end up as champions. He's doing a great job in his first extended time as the club's coach.

Last year it was Sao Paulo on the hot streak as they went on to win the title. This year they are stumbling and it is their usually solid defense which has been letting them down.

[heebeejeebees]

if flamengo win it i'll be pleased for them, went to see them a few times when i was in brazil last year so i have a soft spot for them, amongst other teams. will adriano be fit for the game against gremio? perhaps he'll fire them to the title..

[autogol]

Sao Paulo are collapsing now and that is very surprising for a normally consistent team. And as mentioned it has been the typically reliable defense which has been letting them down. It will take a near miracle for Sao Paulo to lift this year's championship, they'll need Flamengo to lose and Internacional and Palmeiras to either tie or lose while Sao Paulo wins. Highly unlikely, so instead I hope Sao Paulo just focuses on winning and assuring a top 4 finish and a Libertadores spot. They need to be careful of Cruzeiro charging up right behind them.

The celebrations have already started among some Flamengo fans which is of course entirely premature and to get away from the pressure, Flamengo are leaving Rio this week to train at the CBF's training site at Granja Comary where Brazil's national team train.

heebeejeebees, welcome to the discussions, and last I heard Adriano has said his burnt foot should be well enough to play next weekend. Damn Flamengo seem to be getting the good fortune with the scheduling, last weekend it was a less than motivated Corinthians not wanting to help their great rivals Sao Paulo, now Flamengo play Gremio who likely will not be to willing to help out their city rivals Internacional by beating Flamengo! So odds are in my view heavily in favor of Flamengo taking the crown this year. 17 years is a long time between titles for such a big club.