The teams who can stop Cruzeiro from clinching their third consecutive Brasileirão title

The most exciting domestic league in South America has finally kicked-off once again, in the form of the Campeonato Brasileiro Série A.

More commonly known as the Brasileirão, Brazil’s top flight features some of the biggest stars and clubs on the continent, as well as thoroughly entertaining football and a never-ending conveyer belt of young stars lighting up pitches from May until December.

Back-to-back Brasileirão champions Cruzeiro will be looking to become the first club to win three consecutive titles since São Paulo achieved the feat from 2006 to 2008. Despite losing key stars Lucas Silva and Brazilian international Everton Ribeiro, the Raposa still boast a richly talented side featuring the likes of Marcos Vinícius and Leandro Damião. Furthermore, eyes will also be on tricky youngster Gabriel Xavier, who has already been turning heads in the Copa Libertadores since his arrival from Portuguesa in February.

Marcelo Oliveira’s side are well-placed to capture another title, but in one of the most fiercely competitive domestic leagues in world football, there will be no shortage of teams biting at their heels. Here, in no particular order, are the teams most likely to wrestle the title away from Cruzeiro.

São Paulo

Arguably the strongest team in South America on paper, São Paulo enter this year’s Brasileirão as tournament favourites, and look the most likely candidate to wrestle the title away from Cruzeiro. Brazil’s most successful club finished second to the Raposa in 2014, but now feature an even stronger team than the Belo Horizonte-based defending champions. Managed by Milton Cruz, Tricolor feature established names such as Alexandre Pato, Michel Bastos, Luis Fabiano, Alan Kardec and Paulo Henrique Ganso, as well as some of the continent’s best young talents, including teenage right-back Auro and recently acquired Argentinean wing-wizard Adrián Ricardo Centurión. At their best, the three-time Copa Libertadores champions play some of the most scintillating football on the continent, and are hotly-tipped to capture their first Brasileirão title since 2008.

Corinthians

Along with São Paulo, Cruzeiro’s biggest challenge will come from Corinthians. The Timão finished fourth last season, but like São Paulo also feature one of the most talented squads in South American football. Corinthians have been a real force in recent years, winning the 2011 Brasilerão as well as the Copa Libertadores and FIFA Club World Cup in 2012. Managed by fan-favorite Tite, the Timão’s squad features experienced stars such as Ralf, Brazilian international Elias, Vágner Love, Jádson and goal-machine Paolo Guerrero. The side also boasts two of the continent’s best upcoming stars in the form of electrifying winger Malcom and Paraguayan star Àngel Romero (whose twin brother Oscar replaced São Paulo’s Adrián Centurión at Argentinean champions Racing). With a squad so full of attacking talent that also features a strong backbone, expect Corinthians to mount a serious title challenge this season.

Santos

Pele’s beloved Santos have not been as strong in recent seasons since the departure of Neymar and Paulo Henrique Ganso to Barcelona and São Paulo respectively, but still boast a squad more than capable of challenging for top domestic honours. The Peixe finished a disappointing ninth in last year’s Brasileirão and are now managed by former Santos star Marcelo Fernandes, who took charge of the club earlier in the year. His side enters this year’s edition of the Brasileirão fresh from winning the Campeonato Paulista earlier in the month after defeating Palmeiras on penalties. Santos legend Robinho is the team’s most established star, along with the likes of former Manchester City star Elano and teenage goal scoring sensation Gabriel Barbosa (Gabigol). The Peixe won’t necessarily be tournament favourites, but after beating a host of top sides to the 2015 Paulistão, they’ll certainly be one to watch.

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Palmeiras

It cannot be easy being a Palmeiras fan. Brazil’s most successful domestic club suffered relegation woes in 2012 despite winning the Copa do Brasil the same year. The club finished perilously close to the relegation zone in last year’s Brasileirão, only a year after gaining promotion back into Brazil’s top flight. Their astonishing underachievement is appears all the more remarkable when you take a look at the Alviverde’s side and realise that they have by far and away one of the strongest teams in the country. Arouca, Alan Patrick, Zé Roberto, Chilean showstopper Jorge Valdivia and Palmeiras’ trio of frighteningly talented tricksters Kelvin, Leandro Moura and diminutive Argentinean genius Agustín Allione complete one of the most vastly talented teams on the continent. Their run to this year’s Paulistão final where they lost to Santos proves that they are capable of delivering, and the Alviverde should, realistically, mount a serious challenge for their first Brasileirão title in 21 years.

Atlético Miniero

Cruzeiro’s city rivals and 2013 Copa Libertadores champions Atlético Miniero may no longer be considered the force of old by some now that Ronaldinho and Bernard have departed. However, make no mistake, this is still one of the best teams Brazil has to offer. Galo finished a respectable fifth in last year’s Brasileirão, and also clinched another Campeonato Miniero title earlier this year after defeating Cruziero in the semi-finals and then Caldense in the final. Levir Culpi’s side still features veteran striker Jô, a key member of their 2013 Libertadores-winning team, as well as former Wolsburg midfielder Josué and Lucas Pratto, another veteran goalscorer who was brought in from Argentina’s Vélez Sársfield earlier in the year to replace Diego Tardelli. Galo can certainly challenge for this year’s Brasileirão, boasting one of the most experienced line-ups in the country.

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Internacional

Porto Alegre based powerhouse Internacional have consistently been one of the best teams in Brazil over the past decade, and their current squad looks as strong as ever. Despite winning two Copa Libertadores in 2006 and 2010 respectively, and finishing an impressive third in last year’s Brasileirão, it comes as quite a surprise when you learn Inter haven’t won the Brasileirão since 1979. Diego Aguirre’s men are well-placed to break their 36 year title drought though, and will undoubtedly be one of the biggest threats to Cruzeiro’s crown. They’ve already enjoyed a hugely successful Copa Libertadores campaign so far, and boasting a hugely talented and experienced team featuring the likes Nilmar, Réver, Juan, Andrés D’Alessandro, Lisandro Lopez and Charles Aranguiz, it’s no wonder.

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