Khaya’s picks

Palmeiras aim to edge closer to the title by claiming all three points when they host Fluminense in tonight’s Brazilian Serie A match.

Five points ahead with just five games left, it would take a terrible run of form for Luiz Felipe Scolari’s side to lose their grip.

Given when Scolari returned to the club the side looked well out of the title running, the turnaround has been remarkable and they’ve soared into their current position courtesy of a run of 13 wins from 18 matches.

They have also won a staggering 10 league matches in a row on home soil.

Meanwhile, Fluminense were whistled off the pitch by their own fans in their weekend stalemate at home to Sport Recife.

Fluminense are 10th, but are just four points above the drop zone. They therefore need the points from this match to avoid being dragged into the relegation quagmire.

But having lost four of their last six away matches, their prospects don’t exactly look very bright going into it. I therefore predict an easy win for Palmeiras. Pool code: S6 V3 P2 M1: Vasco da Gama v Atletico Paranaense. Away victory for Atletico. TIP: Atletico = 3 M2: Cruzeiro v Corinthians. Cruzeiro to edge this one. TIP: Cruzeiro = 1 M3: Palmeiras v Fluminense FC. Previewed above. TIP: Palmeiras = 1 M4: Flamengo RJ v Santos. Victory for Flamengo. TIP: Flamengo = 1 M5: Sao Paulo v Gremio. Share of the spoils. TIP: Draw = 2 M6: Internacional v America Mineiro. Win for Internacional.

TIP: Internacional = 1