TEAM NEWS
After spending almost the entire year in the medical department recovering from a knee injury, center back Breno is fit again, but will only return next season, as they still want to give him more time to prepare.
As for Santa Cruz, midfielder Jadson is back from suspension, but they might miss some other players, as after getting relegated they already allowed some of their biggest to go on vacation, which is the case of striker Grafite, whom they are expecting back for this match.
Sao Paulo
Suspended: None
Doubtful: None
Injured/unavailable: Lucas Fernandes (thigh), Wesley (thigh), Ytalo (thigh)
Santa Cruz
Suspended: None
Doubtful: None
Injured/unavailable: Tiago Costa (ankle), Wellington Cezar (thigh)
MATCH PREVIEW
This is match does not mean much for any of these two clubs, as they don’t fight for anything left in the league, with Sao Paulo preparing for next season when they will have their biggest idol back as a coach and Santa Cruz trying to sign players for their fight to get back to the first division.
However, even though Brazilian clubs don’t really care about the Copa Sudamericana, a win here will qualify Sao Paulo and for a club that likes continental cups, they should be interested in that especially after beating Atletico Mineiro 2-1 away.
The good thing for them is that it really doesn’t matter which players Santa Cruz will use as their main squad is poor enough to allow Sao Paulo to leave with a win and now that they are far from being motivated, they should lose this one and see the hosts leave with a high score.
Head To Head
Sao Paulo won 2-1 at Santa Cruz earlier in the season in the first meeting since a bad-tempered cup tie in 2011 which saw 4 players sent off.
Sao Paulo vs Santa Cruz Stats
Santa Cruz away games average 3.06 goals per game this term. They've let in 1.73 goals per game on average, the worst defensive record in the league. Sao Paulo have lost only 1 of their last 8 home league games.
Sao Paulo Team News
Christian Cueva should start despite a knock. Kelvin is available again but may only be on the bench with Luiz Araújo likely to be preferred to youngster David Neres in attack.
Santa Cruz Team News
Rookie goalkeeper Luiz Miller is expected to be given a chance with usual keeper Tiago Cardoso not in the squad. Santa Cruz may also blood some other youngsters as they look towards next season and Serie B.
