Internacional vs Palmeiras: Lineups locked for Thursday’s 8:30 pm ET kickoff at Beira-Rio

Two contenders collide in Porto Alegre as Internacional welcomes Palmeiras for a third-round clash in the 2026 league season, with both sides naming unchanged starting elevens and seeking early-season momentum.

Match context and kickoff

Kickoff is set for Thursday at 8:30 pm ET at Beira-Rio. Internacional arrives in front of its home crowd still hunting a first league victory in 2026, buoyed by a recent away draw against Flamengo and a timely push into the state semifinal earlier this week. Palmeiras travels with confidence after taking four points from its opening two league fixtures — a draw away and a home win — and a narrow derby triumph that underlined the team’s improving rhythm.

Confirmed lineups

Both coaches stay the course. Paulo Pezzolano repeats the side that earned a point on the road last time out, while Abel Ferreira keeps the same XI used in successive victories.

Internacional starting XI: Rochet; Bruno Gomes, Gabriel Mercado, Victor Gabriel, Bernabei; Ronaldo, Paulinho Paula, Vitinho, Alan Patrick; Carbonero, Rafael Borré.

Palmeiras starting XI: Carlos Miguel; Khellven, Gustavo Gómez, Murilo, Piquerez; Marlon Freitas, Andreas Pereira, Allan, Mauricio; Flaco López, Vitor Roque.

Team news and absences

Internacional enters nearly at full strength. Benjamin continues to build fitness following a right-thigh issue and is not involved. No players are on yellow-card watch and there are no suspensions reported for the hosts.

Palmeiras travels without three notable names. Paulinho progresses in his recovery work, Felipe Anderson remains in physical transition, and Jhon Arias is unavailable. Like Inter, Palmeiras has no players listed on caution watch and no suspensions for this round.

Form guide and tactical outlook

Inter’s continuity should give the hosts a stable platform. The midfield blend of Ronaldo and Paulinho Paula offers bite and balance, freeing Alan Patrick to knit play between the lines. With Carbonero’s acceleration off the flank and Rafael Borré’s movement across the back line, Inter can stretch the field and look to isolate defenders in transition. At the back, the experience of Gabriel Mercado next to Victor Gabriel provides aerial presence and leadership, with Bernabei supplying width on the overlap.

Palmeiras counters with structure and steel. The central duo of Marlon Freitas and Andreas Pereira supports quick regains and early forward distribution, while Allan and Mauricio add creativity and late runs into the box. Fullbacks Khellven and Piquerez are key to the visitors’ width, especially when pinning Inter’s wingers deeper. Gustavo Gómez and Murilo anchor a defense that thrives on duels and set-piece organization. Up front, Flaco López’s penalty-area instincts and Vitor Roque’s dynamism create a two-pronged threat that can punish any lapse between Inter’s lines.

Key matchups to watch

• Alan Patrick vs the Palmeiras pivot: Inter’s chief creator will try to find pockets behind Marlon Freitas and Andreas Pereira; how much time and space he gets could define Inter’s chance creation.
• Rafael Borré vs Gómez and Murilo: The hosts’ No. 9 excels at dragging center-backs out of position. Palmeiras will rely on communication and timing to prevent rotations from opening central lanes.
• Flank battles: Bernabei’s overlaps against Khellven, and Piquerez’s forward surges against Carbonero, should shape which team controls territory and crossing volume.
• Transitions and first press: Both sides favor quick counters. The first five seconds after a turnover — how fast either team organizes or breaks — could swing momentum.
• Goalkeepers’ distribution: Rochet and Carlos Miguel will be tested not only shot-stopping but also in starting buildup under pressure.

Officials and atmosphere

The match will be overseen by referee Davi De Oliveira Lacerda, with assistants Victor Hugo Imazu dos Santos and Douglas Pagung. The video assistant is Pablo Ramon Goncalves Pinheiro, and the fourth official is Luciano da Silva Miranda Filho. A charged Beira-Rio crowd should amplify a high-tempo contest, with both teams motivated to solidify top-half positioning early in the campaign.

What it means

For Internacional, a win would validate early signs of cohesion and convert home advantage into a much-needed first league victory. For Palmeiras, three points away would underline title credentials by pairing defensive solidity with sharp finishing on the road. With both lineups settled and confidence rising, the margins are likely to be slim — and a single decisive play in either box could shape the night.