It’s springtime in Europe. Blossom and leaves are returning to the trees, birds are chirping louder than ever, while for a hardy subset of the football-loving world, the internet’s blurriest, most unreliable streams beckon anew. That’s right, after a meagre four-month lay-off, the Campeonato Brasileiro crashes back into our lives this weekend, promising thrills, spills and unpaid bills.
This year’s edition is set to be even more fraught than usual; as you may have heard, there’s a bit of a football thing happening in Brazil in June and July. The Brasileirão has therefore been split into two chunks: a starter course before the Copa and the rest after. With the transfer window also guaranteed to play havoc with squads, fans are preparing themselves for what might just be the most disjointed league season in recent memory.
Here, divided into categories, are the runners and riders:
Title challengers
Having romped to the title last term, Cruzeiro are understandably among the favourites this time out. Blessed with a staggering array of resources – particularly in attack – and a savvy, positive manager in Marcelo Oliveira, the Foxes had six players in the WhoScored team of the season last term and will take some beating.
Their biggest challenge may come from Belo Horizonte rivals Atlético Mineiro. The Galo took their eye off the ball in Série A last term, choosing to focus on the fated Club World Cup campaign, but boast a sturdy defence and plenty of options – from Ronaldinho to the rejuvenated Guilherme – further forward. The intimating atmosphere of the Independência suits their energetic, direct game (no side last term won more aerial duels per game than their 16.7) and that should also be a factor.
Grêmio will also be gunning for the title after falling just short last term. The Tricolor, who poached promising young coach Enderson Moreira from Goiás, have added Dudu and Alan Ruiz to their squad this term, while youngsters Ramiro and Luan look to be excellent prospects.
The chasing pack
Flamengo crashed out of the Libertadores at the group stage, but still look a good bet to reach the upper echelons of Série A. In Hernane and Alecsandro they have two reliable – if not exactly aesthetically pleasing – goalscorers, while Lucas Mugni and Éverton are intriguing signings.
Internacional have lost Leandro Damião, Nacho Scocco and Diego Forlán, but have invested wisely at the back and can count on rejuvenated playmakers Andrés D’Alessandro and Alex. They enjoyed more possession than anyone in the division last time out (averaging 54.8% per game) but probably used too many long balls (a whopping 66 per match). São Paulo have greater star power, but Luís Fabiano, Alexandre Pato and Paulo Henrique Ganso have been about as dependable as a Reliant Robin in recent months. Slight underachievement with tippy-tappy passing in midfield (they averaged 401 short passes per game in 2013) beckons.
Having just about come to terms with the departure of Neymar, Santos now look well placed to kick on this term. They were impressive in the Campeonato Paulista (well, until the final) and should be buoyed by the emergence of another batch of youth prospects. Key for them will be keeping hold of the criminally underrated Cícero if (or when) Europe comes calling again. He was the second best player in the division last term according to WhoScored ratings, and chipped in with 15 goals from midfield.
Despite having spent last season in Série B, Palmeiras are also shaping up nicely. Gilson Kleina has a settled squad that positively bustles with industry, from the lung-bursting runs of striker Alan Kardec to the midfield energy of Wesley. They won't win it, but the Libertadores is a realistic aim.
Mid-table mediocrity
A squad boasting the attacking talents of Fred, Darío Conca, Rafael Sóbis and Walter should really be aiming for the top, but Fluminense's disappointing recent form shows no sign of abating. That quartet will plunder goals aplenty but cannot make up for all the shortcomings elsewhere. They spent last season attempting too many dribbles (9.3 per game - the most in the league) and going missing at the back. Rio rivals Botafogo, meanwhile, have been weakened by the departures of Clarence Seedorf and Rafael Marques who, along with Vitinho, were their best performing players last term with WhoScored ratings of 7.25 and 7.17, and sacked coach Eduardo Hungaro after elimination from the Libertadores.
Last season's surprise packages, Goiás and Atlético Paranaense, are both likely to find things more tricky in 2014. The former have lost their best player (Walter) and are managerless at time of writing. The Hurricanes have at least managed to hold onto star forward Éderson (for now), who should receive decent support from Marcelo and Bruno Mendes.
Corinthians are preparing for what is likely to be another transitional season. The return of Elias is a major boon, but with the last vestiges of the Club World Cup-winning squad fading from view, Mano Menezes has quite a rebuilding job on his hands. The Timão scored a measly 27 goals last season, averaging just 3.9 shots on target per game. A cup run is perhaps more likely than a title challenge.
Heads above water
Salvador pair Bahia and Vitória have both been busy in the transfer market since last season. The former have brought in Lincoln, Rhayner and Maxi Biancucchi, the latter from their city rivals, who have themselves acquired little-and-large forwards Caio and Souza. Both could struggle for fluidity, especially early on. Coritiba, meanwhile, who were awful in the latter half of 2013, should have enough quality to stave off the threat of relegation this time out.
Relegation scrappers
Sport and Figueirense have both yo-yoed between Séries A and B in recent times, and a glance at their squads suggests they could be in for another battle for survival. The Recife outfit's new-look centre-back pairing of Durval and Ewerton Páscoa will be crucial for them, while Figueira must hope free-kick expert Marcos Assunção has some gas left in the tank.
And so to the basement. Criciúma stunned even themselves last term by escaping the drop in 2013 but have since lost a significant chunk of their squad: Wellington Paulista, Sueliton, Matheus Ferraz and Helton Leite are among those to have left. They scored eight of their goals last term from the penalty spot and will need similar good fortune in 2014. Chapecoense, who have surged through the divisions in the last five years, hope to emulate the Tigers' achievement but may find this a bridge too far.
There you have it, then. Get your streams going on Saturday night and stick with WhoScored for previews of every match throughout the season. See you on the other side.
What are your predictions for the upcoming Brasileirão season? Let us know in the comments below
