Palmeiras vs Sao Paulo: Abel Ferreira Banned for Choque-Rei

PalmeirasPAL

Murilo Cerqueira Paim 45+1'
Vitor Roque 50'

Serie A

2–0

Full Time

HT 1–0

Allianz Parque

São Paulo, São Paulo

Sao PauloSAO

Sent off:Luis Osorio Messias De Oliveira 39'

AI ForecastsGraded

Palmeiras sit second in the table and boast a formidable home record with only one defeat at the Allianz Parque. The absences of Barboza and Freitas through suspension weaken their spine, yet São Paulo’s travel sickness — a single away clean sheet all season — and the weight of…

Match ResultHome Win60%

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Match Stats

Top Stats

2.43xG1.29

58%Possession42%

19 (7)Shots (on target)8 (2)

3Big Chances Created2

Attacking Play

2.37xG on Target0.57

1.55Expected Assists (xA)0.47

60Final Third Entries42

27Penalty Area Entries16

Possession & Passing

527 · –Passes (accuracy)405 · –

9Corners6

20Poss. Won — Def 3rd22

15Poss. Won — Mid 3rd17

Duels & Pressing

41 (39%)Duels Won64 (61%)

15 (52%)Aerial Duels Won14 (48%)

49Ball Recoveries46

8.7PPDA (Pressing)12.0

Defending & Discipline

2Saves5

21Fouls12

+0.57Goals Prevented+0.37

Palmeiras vs Sao Paulo: Abel Ferreira Banned for Choque-Rei

Published Mon 7 Sept

Palmeiras host Sao Paulo in Round 27 of the Campeonato Brasileiro Serie A on September 12, 2026, in another highly anticipated edition of the Choque-Rei derby. The home side arrive as league leaders, but they must navigate this fixture without their manager on the touchline.

Ferreira Touchline Ban

Palmeiras boss Abel Ferreira will miss this derby after receiving a two-match suspension for kicking a microphone. With their manager confined to the stands, the hosts must rely on their domestic momentum. They currently sit top of the Serie A table with 52 points from 25 matches and recently secured a 3-0 aggregate victory over Santos to reach the Copa do Brasil semi-finals. However, their schedule is unrelenting, with this league fixture sandwiched around a Copa Libertadores quarter-final tie against Ecuadorian outfit LDU Quito.

Team News and Injury Latest

Ferreira's absence is compounded by a growing injury list on the pitch. Palmeiras are officially without Joaquin Piquerez and Jefte, while their attacking options are depleted by injuries to Jhon Arias, Ramon Sosa, and Paulinho. This lack of wide and creative options could force a tactical shift to a 3-4-2-1 formation.

For the visitors, manager Dorival Junior is dealing with his own selection headaches. Sao Paulo remain without talisman Lucas Moura due to a prolonged elbow injury. Midfielders Damian Bobadilla, Newton, and Victor Sa are also sidelined. There is some positive news, however, as striker Jonathan Callieri has recovered from a left ankle sprain and is available after being rested in their recent fixture against Atletico Mineiro.

Managing Continental Fatigue

Both clubs are battling deep into South American competitions, making rotation and recovery critical. While Palmeiras are dealing with their Libertadores commitments against LDU, Sao Paulo enter the Choque-Rei on the back of a demanding trip to Argentina to face Boca Juniors in the Copa Sudamericana. The visitors currently sit mid-table in Serie A on 30 points, meaning domestic consistency is vital if they are to climb the standings, but heavy legs following their Argentine excursion could dictate Dorival Junior's tactical approach.

A victory in this derby would help Palmeiras consolidate their lead at the top of the Campeonato Brasileiro, keeping chasers like Flamengo at bay. Sao Paulo, meanwhile, will look to use the fixture as a springboard to build momentum for the remainder of their demanding domestic and continental campaigns.