Santos — Corinthians : Match Preview and Prediction for October 16,2025

Santos approaches this classic derby in a state bordering on total disarray. This is not an overstatement. The primary concern is the gaping hole in their squad, a direct consequence of Neymar’s absence. The club has officially confirmed that their star player is sidelined until November. Since his return, he has featured in only one of five classic derbies.

Mounting Injury Concerns for Santos

But Santos’ woes don’t end there. Defensive midfielder Tomás Rincón and forward Tiquinho Soares are also out of action, the latter serving a suspension. Adding to this, defender Alexis Duarte is unavailable. Essentially, coach Vojvoda has had the team’s spine ripped out, leaving gaping holes across every line-up position.

Santos’ Deteriorating Form

The team’s recent form perfectly mirrors its personnel issues. Their last match resulted in a crushing 0-3 defeat to Ceará, and they’ve secured only one victory in their last five league games. Sitting 16th in the table is a logical outcome of the current circumstances. Santos is simply not competitive at this juncture of the season.

Struggles at Home

Santos boasts the fourth-worst home campaign in the league, and their attack at home is the second-lowest in all of Serie A, averaging just one goal per game. The culmination of this decline is evident in their last three home matches against Corinthians: two losses, one draw, and zero goals scored.

Now, let’s turn our attention to Corinthians, and the picture changes dramatically. The team is heading into the game on a high, following a convincing 3-0 victory over Mirasol. This result has provided the players with a much-needed confidence boost. “Timão” occupies a far more comfortable 12th place in the table, looking down on their opponent’s struggles.

Corinthians’ Dominance in Head-to-Head Encounters

In 2025, the teams have played three times, with Corinthians emerging victorious on all three occasions. Consider this statistic: in the last seven Serie A matches, Santos has managed to score only one goal against “Timão”. The trend is clear: in 15 of the last 19 direct encounters, Santos has failed to win, signaling complete dominance from Corinthians.

Corinthians’ Squad Depth and Reinforcements

While Corinthians also has its share of absences, the key phrase here is “they have replacements.” As Santos struggles to patch holes, “Timão” is getting stronger: crucial central midfielders Rodrigo Garro and Charles are returning to the squad, along with star forward Memphis Depay. Their presence, even from the bench, provides the coach with tactical flexibility that Vojvoda can only dream of.

The Threat of Yuri Alberto

Special mention must go to Yuri Alberto. This striker is a genuine tormentor for his former club. He is not only Corinthians’ top scorer this season but also consistently punishes Santos, having netted four goals in three head-to-head matches this year.