Corinthians welcome Sao Paulo to Neo Quimica Arena in Sao Paulo this Sunday, January 18, 2026. The match kicks off at 19:00 GMT+0. This fixture forms part of the regular phase of the Campeonato Paulista A1, with no referee information confirmed yet in available sources.
The Derby Paulista always carries extra intensity, especially early in the state championship season. Corinthians come off a heavy defeat but showed promise in their opening Paulista win, while Sao Paulo seek to recover from a poor start. Corinthians vs Sao Paulo prediction today centres on defensive solidity and the hosts’ home advantage in this classic rivalry clash.
Betting Tips and Match Insights
This Paulista derby tends to produce cautious, low-scoring battles given the stakes and familiarity between the sides. Corinthians vs Sao Paulo prediction today focuses on recent defensive records and head-to-head trends that frequently limit goals. Both teams have shown vulnerability in transitions lately. Key patterns from form and past meetings point toward a tight contest. The following sections break down the data to help spot the most reliable angles.
Corinthians Results
Corinthians begin their Paulista campaign with mixed signals from recent outings. The home side aims to bounce back strongly at Neo Quimica Arena. Fans expect a reaction after the heavy loss in their most recent game.
| Date | Competition | Matchup | Result | Outcome |
| 16.01.26 | PAU | Bragantino vs Corinthians | 3-0 | L |
| 11.01.26 | PAU | Corinthians vs Ponte Preta | 3-0 | W |
| 21.12.25 | COP | Vasco vs Corinthians | 1-2 | W |
| 18.12.25 | COP | Corinthians vs Vasco | 0-0 | D |
| 14.12.25 | COP | Corinthians vs Cruzeiro | 1-2 | L |
Corinthians collected two wins, one draw and two losses in those five matches. They kept two clean sheets while scoring in three games. Home performances delivered goals and points in the Paulista opener. Defensive lapses appeared in losses against stronger opponents. Momentum at Neo Quimica Arena remains a key strength.
Sao Paulo Results
Sao Paulo enter this derby after a disappointing league start. The visitors look to turn things around quickly. Recent results show inconsistency across competitions.
| Date | Competition | Matchup | Result | Outcome |
| 16.01.26 | PAU | Sao Paulo vs Sao Bernardo | 1-0 | W |
| 12.01.26 | PAU | Mirassol vs Sao Paulo | 3-0 | L |
| 07.12.25 | SA | Vitoria vs Sao Paulo | 1-0 | L |
| 04.12.25 | SA | Sao Paulo vs Internacional | 3-0 | W |
| 28.11.25 | SA | Fluminense vs Sao Paulo | 6-0 | L |
Sao Paulo secured two wins and three losses across the five games. They failed to score in three of those matches. Defensive issues surfaced in heavy defeats. Wins came against weaker opposition with clean sheets. Away form remains a concern heading into this rivalry.
Corinthians vs Sao Paulo Head-to-Head (Last 5 Matches)
The Derby Paulista delivers fierce competition with frequent high drama. Recent clashes show Sao Paulo holding an edge in several meetings. Results often swing on fine margins or individual moments.
| Date | Competition | Matchup | Result |
| 21.11.25 | SA | Corinthians vs Sao Paulo | 3-1 |
| 20.07.25 | SA | Sao Paulo vs Corinthians | 2-0 |
| 27.01.25 | PAU | Sao Paulo vs Corinthians | 3-1 |
| 29.09.24 | SA | Sao Paulo vs Corinthians | 3-1 |
| 16.06.24 | SA | Corinthians vs Sao Paulo | 2-2 |
Sao Paulo won three of the last five encounters, Corinthians took one and one ended level. Four matches produced three or more goals total. Sao Paulo dominated in away wins against Corinthians. Clean sheets proved rare in these fixtures. The pattern suggests competitive, goal-involved derbies.
Predicted Starting Lineups
These are the predicted starting lineups for the Corinthians vs Sao Paulo Paulista match on January 18, 2026. The selections reflect the most frequently used formations by each team in recent games and consider current player availability. Official lineups will be confirmed closer to kick-off, so view these as educated estimates based on the latest patterns.
Corinthians predicted lineup
Souza (GK), Matheuzinho (DF), Ramalho (DF), Henrique (DF), Bidu (DF), Dieguinho (MF), Bahia (MF), Bidon (MF), Vitinho (MF), Negao (FW), Alberto (FW).
Sao Paulo predicted lineup
Rafael (GK), Toloi (DF), Franco (DF), Sabino (DF), Soares (MF), Bobadilla (MF), Antonio (MF), Alisson (MF), Ferreira (MF), Luciano (FW), Tapia (FW).
Injured and Questionable Players
Several key players from both teams are sidelined or doubtful for this Paulista derby due to injuries or inactivity. Corinthians have depth in most areas despite some absences, while Sao Paulo face more concerns in attack and defence.
| Team | Player | Reason |
| Corinthians | Depay M. | Inactive |
| Corinthians | Garro R. | Inactive |
| Corinthians | Martinez J. | Inactive |
| Corinthians | Raniele | Inactive |
| Sao Paulo | Andre Silva | Knee Injury |
| Sao Paulo | Ryan Francisco | Knee Injury |
| Sao Paulo | Diaz E. | Hip Injury |
Key Match Factors and Team News
This Paulista derby arrives early in the season with both sides still finding rhythm. Home advantage and historical intensity will play major roles. Several elements could tip the balance one way or another.
- Corinthians boast a strong home record in recent Paulista campaigns;
- Sao Paulo struggled defensively in their opening league defeat;
- Andre Ramalho leads Corinthians scoring early this season;
- Sao Paulo kept a clean sheet in their Paulista opener;
- Recent head-to-head favours Sao Paulo in multiple meetings;
- Corinthians showed resilience in cup competitions late last year;
- No major injury concerns reported for either squad yet;
- Derby motivation remains extremely high for both sets of players.
Free Tips on Corinthians vs Sao Paulo
This section provides targeted, stats-driven free betting tips extracted purely from the teams’ recent results, scoring patterns and their direct head-to-head record in Paulista and Serie A clashes. These observations highlight recurring trends that stand out in the data for this specific Derby Paulista on January 18, 2026. They focus on angles that emerge from the numbers without overlapping the main tactical or news factors already discussed.
- Sao Paulo have won three of the last five meetings against Corinthians and kept a clean sheet in two of those victories, showing a historical ability to shut out the hosts in big derbies;
- Four of the previous five head-to-head encounters produced three or more total goals, yet the most recent Paulista clashes between these sides often stayed under 2.5 when played at Neo Quimica Arena;
- Corinthians failed to score in their latest outing and have alternated high-scoring home wins with low-output defeats in recent months, pointing to inconsistent finishing at home;
- Sao Paulo conceded heavily in three of their last five matches across competitions but managed a shutout in their Paulista opener, suggesting defensive improvement against weaker opposition but vulnerability under pressure;
- Andre Ramalho has emerged as Corinthians’ early-season top scorer with a goal from defence, while Sao Paulo’s attack has been led by a defender as well, indicating both teams may rely on set-pieces or unlikely sources for goals in this derby.
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Corinthians vs Sao Paulo Match Prediction 2026
Corinthians hold a slight edge thanks to home advantage at Neo Quimica Arena and their ability to score in big games. Sao Paulo have troubled Corinthians in recent derbies but arrive with defensive questions after conceding heavily. The hosts’ early Paulista win displayed attacking intent, while Sao Paulo’s clean sheet came against weaker opposition. Corinthians vs Sao Paulo odds position the home side as favourites in a tight contest. Expect a cagey first half with chances limited by cautious approaches. Corinthians should edge it through better organisation and crowd support. A low-scoring home win fits the profile, with one side likely to keep a clean sheet.
Our Prediction: Corinthians 1-0 Sao Paulo
| Prediction Type | Prediction | Odds |
| Match Result | Corinthians Win | 2.04 |
| Both Teams to Score | No | 1.75 |
| Total Goals | Under 2.5 | 1.61 |
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