With only a point separating fifth-placed Grêmio and third-placed São Paulo, their weekend clash has all the signs of an interesting encounter. This Brasileirão ninth match of the season will be played on Sunday at the Arena do Grêmio. The hosts are coming off a 1-0 win in the Cup competition making it a five-game unbeaten run in all competitions. They have won the last three in a row which should keep them confident for this match. Additionally, they have lost just once across nine matches in all competitions, so they are picking up form at the right time. Grêmio have also won their last two league games, so they will be targeting a win here to upstage their visitors in the table.
São Paulo are in better form than their hosts having stitched five wins in a row. That included a Cup win last time out, which extended their unbeaten run to 13 matches in all competitions. Even in the league, they are unbeaten since starting the season with a loss to Botafogo. They are now unbeaten in seven league games, winning four and drawing three. The only concern is their away form as São Paulo are yet to win on the road this season. The matchday one defeat came on the road after which they drew three straight away league games.