May 10, 2026, 18:06 BRT — Santos, Brazil.
- Neymar is in the starting lineup for Santos as they face RB Bragantino at Vila Belmiro, where kickoff is scheduled for 18:30 local time.
- Santos sit 16th with 15 points, matching Corinthians, who occupy the top spot among Brazil’s bottom four.
- RB Bragantino sit seventh with 20 points, coming in off back-to-back victories.
Santos have listed Neymar among their starters for Sunday’s Brasileiro Série A clash with RB Bragantino, a must-win at home as the club sits just clear of the drop and hasn’t recorded a victory in seven. Kickoff for the 15th round at Vila Belmiro is set for 18:30 Brasília time.
There’s no mistaking the pressure here. Santos are on 15 points, stuck in 16th, side by side with Corinthians—who begin the round in the relegation zone. Bragantino, with 20 points, sit seventh and are looking to close the gap on the top five.
Cuca’s team arrives on the back of a 1-1 Copa Sudamericana draw with Recoleta, still searching for ways to finish games after going ahead. Bragantino handled Chapecoense 2-1 in league play, then hammered Blooming 6-0 in Bolivia in their Sudamericana fixture.
Santos lined up with Diógenes, Igor Vinicius, Lucas Veríssimo, Adonis Frías, Escobar, João Schmidt, Christian Oliva, Rollheiser, Barreal, Neymar, and Gabriel Bontempo. Notably, Gabriel Barbosa—better known as Gabigol—was absent from the starting eleven announced before kickoff.
Bragantino started with Tiago Volpi, Hurtado, Alix Vinícius, Gustavo Marques, Juninho Capixaba, Gabriel, Nacho Sosa, Lucas Barbosa, Herrera, Henry Mosquera, and Isidro Pitta, coach Vagner Mancini’s lineup. Brazilian fans could only catch the action on Premiere’s pay-per-view. In the U.S., Bolavip pointed viewers to Fanatiz and Premiere as the streaming options.
Santos is still wrestling with missing players. According to Globo’s ge, keeper Gabriel Brazão was out with a suspension. Thaciano, sidelined due to a right-thigh muscle issue. Gabriel Menino, Lautaro Díaz, Gustavo Henrique and Mayke weren’t available or fit either. In that context, starting Diógenes in goal stood out as a straightforward decision for an otherwise depleted lineup.
Bragantino turned up with a crowded injury list—ge noted Davi Gomes, Fabricio, Ryan, Matheus Fernandes, Eduardo, and Fabinho all sidelined, plus Agustin Sant’Anna and Guzmán Rodríguez still easing back from physical issues. What separates them? Mood. Bragantino brought points, goals, and a bit of breathing space in the standings.
Eduardo Sasha, fresh from netting in the 6-0 rout of Blooming, told the club’s website that Bragantino had “every chance to seek victory” and just had to keep “getting used to winning.” The Vila Belmiro clash, he admitted, wouldn’t be easy. Still, he backed the team to push its streak further. Red Bull Bragantino
Santos can’t afford another draw here—Cuca’s side is still tangled up in the same battle, with Corinthians lurking close enough that even goal difference and total goals could tip things. Bragantino’s challenge: a quick turnaround after their continental trip, plus several key injuries. The visitors bring form, but their squad isn’t at full strength.
Santos hasn’t had much luck lately, either. Sports Mole tallied four Bragantino wins in their last eight head-to-heads since 2023; Santos managed just two, with the other two matches drawn. In Bragantino’s official preview, the teams’ overall record came in at 22 wins for Santos, 18 draws, and 12 Bragantino victories from a total of 52 meetings.
