Palmeiras moves closer to winning 10th Brazilian league title

Sociedade Esportiva Palmeiras will have the first of three opportunities this week to mathematically clinch its 10th Brazilian Championship title, as long as it defeats America Mineiro and Flamengo and Internacional lose or draw in their respective matches.

On Wednesday, Palmeiras, managed by Luiz Felipe Scolari, will host a struggling America Mineiro at Allianz Parque in Sao Paulo.

America Mineiro is trying to avoid relegation to the Second Division, with only three matchdays left in the tournament.

Scolari, unbeaten in the league since his return to Palmeiras in July, will not have star midfielder Gustavo Scarpa, who is suspended, on the field against America Mineiro.

The Palmeiras manager, however, will have his offensive trio of Willian Gomes de Siqueira, Eduardo “Dudu” Pereira Rodrigues and Colombian Miguel Borja on the field.

Under Scolari, the Sao Paulo-based club has 13 wins and nine draws in the past 19 matches, and has moved up from sixth place in the standings to a step away from earning another league title.

Despite the surprising home draw against Parana, which has already been relegated to the Second Division, Palmeiras is confident it will defeat America Mineiro and reach the 74 points needed to celebrate a new title - if Flamengo and Internacional, the club’s closest pursuers, stumble.