Grêmio vs Vasco da Gama — Match Preview
This is not just a match; it’s a “six-point” final in a desperate fight against relegation. Two giants of Brazilian football, Grêmio and Vasco da Gama, collide at the Arena do Grêmio with their top-flight survival on the line.
The table tells a terrifying story. Grêmio, in 14th, is in a “passive” slump, having won only one of their last five matches. They are just five points clear of the 17th-place relegation spot. Vasco da Gama, in 10th, is not much safer and is in a complete freefall. They are on a 3-match losing streak, culminating in a humiliating 1-3 home defeat to Juventude that has fans “crying” with outrage.
The pressure is immense. Grêmio knows a home loss pulls them into the crisis. Vasco arrives with a squad “decimated” by injuries and suspensions, knowing a fourth straight loss could be catastrophic.
Grêmio vs Vasco da Gama — Quick Match Info
- Fixture: Grêmio vs. Vasco da Gama
- Competition: Brazilian Serie A
- Venue: Arena do Grêmio, Porto Alegre
- Date: 19 November 2025
- Time: 23:30 UTC / 05:00 IST (20 Nov)
- Prediction: Grêmio 1–0 Vasco da Gama
- Key Narrative: A high-stakes relegation battle. Grêmio’s home advantage faces a Vasco team in freefall and “decimated” by injuries.
Grêmio vs Vasco da Gama — What’s at Stake
- For Grêmio: This is a “must-not-lose” home match. A win would give them a crucial cushion from the relegation zone and push a direct rival further down. A loss would be a disaster, pulling them right into the center of the survival scrap.
- For Vasco da Gama: This is a test of their will to survive. On a 3-match losing streak and missing key players, a draw on the road would be seen as a “golden point.” A loss would be their fourth in a row, sending the club into a complete crisis.
Grêmio vs Vasco da Gama — Team Form
Grêmio (Last 5): L-D-L-W-L
- Ice cold. Just one win in their last five matches.
- Coming off a 2-2 draw with Fortaleza and a 1-0 loss to Cruzeiro.
- The team is “struggling for goals” and “needs to react,” according to fans.
Vasco da Gama (Last 5): L-L-L-W-W
- Freefall. On a 3-match losing streak, conceding 8 goals in that time.
- Just suffered a humiliating 1-3 home loss to Juventude.
- Their defense has “collapsed” in recent weeks.
Grêmio vs Vasco da Gama — Team News
Grêmio — Team News
- OUT: Alex Santana (MID) and Marcos Rocha (DEF) are both ruled out with muscle injuries.
- DOUBT: Arthur (MID) is a doubt due to physical wear but is optimistic about returning.
- IMPACT: The loss of Rocha at right-back forces a shuffle, but the core of the attack (Braithwaite, Soteldo) is fit.
Vasco da Gama — Team News
- CRITICAL ABSENCES: Vasco’s squad is “decimated.”
- OUT: Paulinho (MID) and Jair (MID) are out with long-term ligament injuries.
- OUT: Adson (FW) is out with a broken leg.
- SUSPENDED: Paulo Henrique (DEF) is suspended after a red card.
- IMPACT: Vasco is missing key players in every single line of the pitch (defense, midfield, and attack).
Grêmio vs Vasco da Gama — Predicted Lineups
Grêmio (4-2-3-1)
- GK: Marchesín
- DEF: João Pedro, Geromel, Kannemann, Reinaldo
- MID: Villasanti, Dodi
- AMC: Pavón, Cristaldo, Soteldo
- FW: Braithwaite
Vasco da Gama (4-3-3)
- GK: Léo Jardim
- DEF: Robert Rojas, Maicon, Léo, Lucas Piton
- MID: Zé Gabriel, Galdames, Coutinho
- FW: Rossi, Vegetti, David
Grêmio vs Vasco da Gama — Spotlight Players
- Martin Braithwaite (Grêmio): The Danish international striker. In a team that struggles to score, the pressure is on him to be the finisher. His movement and experience will be the key to breaking down Vasco’s shaky defence.
- Mathías Villasanti (Grêmio): The Paraguayan midfielder. He is the engine of the team, and his job will be to dominate the “decimated” Vasco midfield and control the tempo of the game.
- Philippe Coutinho (Vasco da Gama): The star. He is the one player on Vasco’s team who can create a goal out of nothing. Everything Vasco does in attack will have to go through him.
- Pablo Vegetti (Vasco da Gama): The veteran #9. He is a physical force and a proven goalscorer, but he will be isolated. He needs a big game to give his defence a rest.
Grêmio vs Vasco da Gama — Head to Head
This is a classic rivalry between two giants. Grêmio has historically had the upper hand, especially at home.
- July 19, 2025: Vasco da Gama 1–1 Grêmio
- July 28, 2024: Grêmio 1–0 Vasco da Gama
- April 14, 2024: Vasco da Gama 2–1 Grêmio
- Dec 3, 2023: Grêmio 1–0 Vasco da Gama
- Aug 6, 2023: Vasco da Gama 1–0 Grêmio
- Trend: This is a very tight fixture. Four of the last five matches have been decided by a single goal.
Grêmio vs Vasco da Gama — Tactical Outlook
Grêmio Tactical Approach
- Right-Side Attack: Grêmio’s style is to attack down the right flank and take long shots.
- Counter-Attacks: With Vasco in disarray, expect Grêmio to press high, win the ball, and launch quick counters, using the pace of Soteldo and Pavón.
- Weakness: They “struggle to keep possession” and are “very weak” at defending set pieces, which could give Vasco a chance.
Vasco da Gama Tactical Approach
- Left-Side Attack: Vasco’s style is to play short passes and attack down the left flank (via Piton and David).
- Desperate Defence: With so many players missing, their main goal will be to defend. However, their biggest weakness is “stopping opponents from creating chances.”
- Weakness: Their defence is in “freefall” and they are “very weak” at “avoiding individual errors.” This is a terrible combination against a desperate home crowd.
Grêmio vs Vasco da Gama — Key Battles
| Matchup | Battle Type | Edge |
| Braithwaite (GRE) vs. Maicon & Léo (VAS) | Finisher vs. Shaky Defence | Grêmio |
| Soteldo (GRE) vs. Robert Rojas (VAS) | Pace vs. Replacement | Grêmio |
| Coutinho (VAS) vs. Villasanti (GRE) | Creativity vs. Engine | Even |
| Grêmio’s Set Pieces vs. Vasco’s Defence | Tactical | Grêmio |
Grêmio vs Vasco da Gama — Statistical Snapshot
| Metric | Grêmio (14th) | Vasco da Gama (10th) |
| Points | 40 | 42 |
| Relegation Risk | 2.7% | (Higher than Grêmio, given form) |
| Form (Last 5) | L-D-L-W-L (4 pts) | L-L-L-W-W (6 pts) |
| Goals For (League) | 35 | 50 |
| Goals Conceded (League) | 43 | 49 |
Grêmio vs Vasco da Gama — Fan Reactions
Grêmio Fans:
- “We only have a 2.7% chance of relegation, but we NEED to react!”
- “This is a final. At home, against a broken team? A win is the only option.”
- “If we lose this, we are in a real crisis. Wake up!”
Vasco da Fans:
- “I was ‘crying’ after that Juventude loss. It was humiliating.”
- “Another loss? To a direct rival? We are going down.”
- “With all these injuries and suspensions… just pray for 0-0.”
Grêmio vs Vasco da Gama — Where to Watch
- USA: Paramount+, Fanatiz, DirecTV
- Brazil: Premiere, TV Globo
- India: (No confirmed broadcast, likely Fanatiz)
- UK: (No confirmed broadcast)
Grêmio vs Vasco da Gama — Match-Defining Factors
- Vasco’s “Decimated” Squad: The number of injuries and suspensions for Vasco is the single biggest factor. They are bringing a “B-team” to a “six-point” final.
- The “Crisis” Factor: Both teams are in terrible form, but Vasco’s is worse (3 straight losses). Their confidence is shattered.
- Home Advantage: The Arena do Grêmio will be a loud, desperate, and hostile environment. This will be a huge boost for Grêmio.
- The First Goal: If Grêmio scores first, Vasco’s morale will likely collapse. If Vasco can somehow score first, the home crowd will turn on their own players.
Grêmio vs Vasco da Gama — Prediction
Grêmio 1–0 Vasco da Gama
Why:
This will be an ugly, nervous, and low-quality match. Both teams are in terrible form. However, this match will be decided by two things: home advantage and squad availability.
Grêmio is at home, and while they are playing poorly, they are facing a Vasco da Gama side that is completely “decimated” by injuries and suspensions and is on a 3-match losing streak. Grêmio has the better attackers (Braithwaite, Soteldo) and will find one goal to win a “must-win” game, while Vasco’s crisis will get even deeper.
Grêmio vs Vasco da Gama — Final Word
This isn’t about beautiful football; it’s about survival. It’s a “six-point” game between two of Brazil’s most historic clubs, and both are staring into the abyss of relegation. Expect a tense, foul-heavy, and desperate 90 minutes.
Grêmio vs Vasco da Gama — FAQs
Q1: What time is the match?
05:00 AM IST on Thursday, November 20, 2025.
Q2: Why is this match so important?
It’s a “six-point” relegation battle. Both teams are just a few points above the relegation zone, and a loss here would be disastrous.
Q3: Who is missing for Vasco da Gama?
They are “decimated.” They are missing key midfielders Paulinho and Jair, forward Adson, and defender Paulo Henrique (suspended).
Q4: Who is the favorite?
Grêmio is the strong favorite due to their home advantage and Vasco’s crippling injury and suspension crisis.
Q5: Key players to watch?
For Grêmio: Martin Braithwaite (FW) and Mathías Villasanti (MID). For Vasco: Philippe Coutinho (MID).
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