Palmeiras enter Paulistão 2026 final as kickoff nears in Barueri
palmeiras face Novorizontino in the first leg of the Campeonato Paulista 2026 final at Arena Crefisa Barueri, with the club playing as the home side in Barueri while Allianz Parque finishes its renovation.
What happens when Palmeiras meet Novorizontino with a title on the line?
The final begins with palmeiras and Novorizontino scheduled for 8: 00 p. m. Brasília time on Wednesday at Arena Crefisa Barueri, before a second leg on Sunday at Estádio Jorge Ismael de Biasi in Novo Horizonte (SP). Palmeiras arrive at another decision after finishing the first phase in second place with 16 points, behind Novorizontino on goal difference, then eliminating Capivariano and São Paulo in the knockout rounds.
The matchup also revives a contrast from earlier in the competition: the side that takes the field now is described as completely changed compared with the team that lost 4–0 to Novorizontino in the first phase. Palmeiras’ path carries an added layer of narrative weight as the club seeks to lift a trophy again after two years, with its last title noted as the Paulista in 2024.
Novorizontino reach their first Paulistão final with the best campaign, and they enter the decision riding three consecutive victories after eliminating Santos and Corinthians. Even with the return leg set to be played at their stadium, the team under head coach Enderson Moreira is framed as aiming to leave Barueri with a strong result in the opener.
What if lineup decisions and absences tilt the first leg?
On the Palmeiras side, head coach Abel Ferreira is expected to repeat the lineup from the semifinal win over São Paulo, with one player highlighted as applying pressure for a place: the attacking midfielder Jhon Arias. The reinforcement has been a substitute and is presented as a contender for the roles occupied by Allan and Mauricio.
There are also fitness and availability questions. Emiliano Martínez remained in physical transition on Tuesday but could still appear among those selected. Paulinho is out while in physiotherapy, and additional absences listed include Figueiredo in transition and Emiliano Martínez with a calf injury.
A separate update on Vitor Roque adds another layer to the selection picture. Palmeiras explained that the match against São Paulo left the forward in pain after impacts during the game, prompting intensive treatment in recent days. In a club statement, Palmeiras said he would be available on the bench due to the importance of the final.
Probable Palmeiras lineup presented for the final build-up: Carlos Miguel; Khellven, Gustavo Gómez, Murilo and Piquerez; Marlon Freitas, Andreas Pereira, Mauricio (Arias) and Allan; Flaco López and Vitor Roque.
For Novorizontino, the most straightforward absence is Rômulo, who cannot play because Novorizontino did not pay a R$ 1 million penalty to Palmeiras. Enderson Moreira is described as having one main doubt for the night, with Juninho and Titi Ortíz as the leading candidates for the role associated with the No. 10 shirt, and Tavinho also in the mix. The coach is also dealing with five injury-related absences and is expected to keep the base of the team that beat Corinthians.
Probable Novorizontino lineup presented: Jordi; Alvariño, Dantas, Patrick and Mayk; Léo Naldi, Luís Oyama, Matheus Bianqui and Juninho (Titi Ortíz); Vinícius Paiva and Robson. Players listed as out include Rômulo, Marlon, Hélio Borges, Maykon Jesus, plus Arthur Barbosa and Renato Palm in physical transition.
What happens when the final is decided over two legs?
The first leg at Arena Crefisa Barueri sets the tone for a two-match final that ends in Novo Horizonte. Palmeiras’ status as a frequent finalist is central to the framing of the occasion: this is their seventh consecutive Paulista final, with six of those runs coming under Abel Ferreira. On the other side, Novorizontino’s first-ever appearance in the Paulistão final is paired with a sense of momentum after a sequence of eliminations and recent wins.
Match officials listed for the first leg include referee Matheus Delgado Candançan, assistants Danilo Ricardo Simon Manis and Evandro de Melo Lima, fourth official Murilo Tarrega Victor, and VAR Marcio Henrique de Gois.
With the second leg set for Sunday, the opener in Barueri becomes a key moment for both teams’ planning: Palmeiras aim to take advantage of the home designation despite the stadium switch, while Novorizontino seek a result that protects their position ahead of the return match on their ground.
