FIFA's new Club World Cup adds uncertainty to Brazilian title race

The Brazilian championship has become increasingly predictable, but a mid-season interruption may make it less so this year

- TIM VICKERY

As money flows in and financial gaps open up, the Brazilian championship has become more and more imbalanced, but a change to the usual routine could help level the playing field. The league kicks off at the end of March, earlier than usual, and will pause for a month in the middle of June to accommodate the FIFA Club World Cup, where four Brazilian teams are in action.

Three of them are the big hitters, but reigning domestic and continental champions Botafogo are giving cause for concern. It had been expected that they might keep their all-conquering team together until the Club World Cup, but key players have gone, along with coach Artur Jorge - who had yet to be replaced by the end of February, with his assistant Claudio Cacapa in interim charge. Over the last two successful years Botafogo have made a point of starting slowly, pacing themselves by coasting through the local state championship. But owner John Textor may now be distracted by problems at Lyon, one of his other clubs.

But the Flamengo-Palmeiras duo look strong. Now coached by Filipe Luis, Flamengo boast a squad of enviable depth - with the exception of the centre-forward position, where Pedro remains an injury casualty.