Vila Nova must win and hope to clinch second direct promotion spot
With 66 points, the Tigrão faces Fortaleza away and needs a Juventude slip-up to go up without playoffs.
By gnews Newsroom 3 min read
Vila Nova, a club from Goiânia in central Brazil, sits third with 66 points and must beat Fortaleza, from the northeastern city of Fortaleza, away this Saturday (14) and hope for a slip-up by Juventude, from Caxias do Sul in the south, to secure direct promotion to the 2027 Série A, Brazil's top division.
The Tigrão, as Vila Nova is known, is two points behind the rival from Rio Grande do Sul state, who has 68. If Vila wins and Juventude draws with Botafogo-SP, from Ribeirão Preto in São Paulo state, both clubs would reach 69 points, but the Goiás side would finish ahead on number of wins: 20 to 19.
A Juventude defeat would also favor the Colorado (another nickname for Vila Nova): with a win over Fortaleza, Vila would reach 69 points, while the team from Rio Grande do Sul would stay on 68. If Juventude wins, they will reach 71 points and claim the second direct promotion spot, regardless of the Goiás team's result.
What Vila Nova needs to earn promotion without playoffs
A win is essential to keep the direct promotion possibility alive. If they do not overtake Juventude, Vila will play in the playoffs, as they are already mathematically guaranteed a place among the top six (G-6) that qualify for the promotion playoffs.
Juventude depends only on themselves: a win over Botafogo-SP secures a spot in Série A. A draw or defeat could open the door for Vila Nova to take second place.
Novorizontino, from Novo Horizonte in São Paulo state, has already secured the first direct promotion spot with a round to spare and leads Série B, Brazil's second division, with 70 points. The São Paulo side visits Criciúma, from Santa Catarina state, and needs a draw to reach 71 points and keep the advantage over Juventude if the team from Rio Grande do Sul also wins.
Novorizontino chases the title and Goiás tries to break into the G-6
The leader arrives at the final round on a seven-match unbeaten run, consisting of five wins and two draws. A defeat could allow Juventude to overtake Novorizontino, provided they also win.
Criciúma sits fourth with 62 points and is already in the G-6. The home match against the leader could improve their position before the playoffs.
Goiás, from Goiânia, and Atlético-GO, also from Goiânia, have 58 points and are trying to take the sixth spot from CRB (Clube de Regatas Brasil), from Maceió in Alagoas state, who also have 58. On goal difference, CRB has plus six, while Goiás has minus two.
Goiás, Atlético-GO and CRB fight for the last spot
CRB faces Ceará, from Fortaleza; Goiás visits Sport, from Recife; and Atlético-GO hosts Cuiabá, from Mato Grosso state. Goiás needs a better result than the Alagoas side; a win would take the Esmeraldino (Goiás's nickname) to 61 points.
Atlético-GO is in eighth place and has 15 wins, two fewer than their direct rivals. To reach the G-6, the Dragão (Atlético-GO's nickname) needs to win and count on a favorable combination of results.
The four clubs placed between third and sixth will contest the playoffs for the two remaining spots in the 2027 Série A. The third-placed team faces the sixth, and the fourth plays the fifth, in home-and-away ties; the teams with the better record host the decisive second leg.
Frequently asked questions
What does Vila Nova need to secure direct promotion?
Vila Nova needs to beat Fortaleza and hope that Juventude draws or loses to Botafogo-SP.
Does Juventude secure direct promotion if they win?
Yes. With a win, Juventude reaches 71 points and secures the second direct promotion spot to Série A.
Can Goiás and Atlético-GO still make the G-6?
Yes. Both have 58 points and are fighting for the last spot with CRB, who also have 58.
