Brazilian Serie B Portuguesa Ponte Preta Title Fight

On one side, the leader Portuguesa, with 67 points already guaranteed a spot in next year's Serie A and tries to secures the second division Championship. On the other, the vice leader Ponte Preta, totals 57 points and is very close to return to the elite competition of the country. With these features they face each other in a title fight atmosphere, Lusa and Macaca as they are both called, at 6:30pm EST in the Caninde Stadium.

Even though they have already secured a spot in next year's Serie A, there's no celebration climate on Portuguesa's side. During the week, the red and green team were quoted giving respect to their rivals from Campinas. Besides that, a victory against one of the direct adversaries in the title race can leave Lusa very close to the Championship.

"We will face the match against Ponte like a final. If Portuguesa can win it's going to be very difficult for the other teams. Our thoughts are with the Serie B title and I believe it's going to be a great game." says the attacking midfielder Guilherme.

In case of a victory by the red and green team, Portuguese will open a 13 points advantage in relations to the second spot with only five rounds to go until the end of the season. For the match, the coach Jorginho will not be able to field the two starting central defenders. Rogerio, with a knee injury, and Mateus, with muscular pain, won't face the Macaca and should give opportunity to Leandro Silva and Renato in the red and green defense.

On Ponte Preta's side, the players are also facing the match like a final. Very close to the promotion, the Macaca will go to Sao Paulo with two problems. With the absences of midfielder Renato Caja and defender Wescley, it is expected that Gilson Kleina will repeat the formation that beat Parana in the last round.

"Ponte is facing all the matches as finals. We have still not reached our goal and we got to do our part and play all the games very seriously. To win this Friday, against the leader, it is very important." says the midfielder Caio.




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