The race for the top of Brazil's Série B Championship is heating up as seven teams enter the eighth round with a real shot at the lead. Fortaleza, São Bernardo, Sport, Vila Nova, Operário-PR, Criciúma, and Juventude—listed in order of their current standings—are the top-scoring sides in the competition, and any one of them could seize control of the table depending on the results.

The 2026 season has been defined by its balance, with Fortaleza currently sitting at the summit with 14 points. They face a tricky away trip to Avaí on Sunday at 6:30 p.m. at Ressacada. Right on their heels, São Bernardo has 13 points and will have to wait until Tuesday (12) to play Londrina at Vitorino Dias, a match that could shake up the standings. That game kicks off at 7:30 p.m.

Sport enters the weekend with momentum and will travel to Ponte Preta on Saturday at 6:30 p.m. at Moisés Lucarelli. Earlier that day, a classic derby awaits as Vila Nova visits Goiás at Hailé Pinheiro at 4 p.m. This is a crucial fixture for Goiás too, who are currently mired in the relegation zone and desperate for points.

The round also features a high-stakes clash between Juventude and Criciúma at Alfredo Jaconi at 9:15 p.m., while Novorizontino hosts Botafogo-SP at Jorge Ismael de Biasi at 6:30 p.m. With so much at stake, expect a weekend full of drama as the battle for promotion heats up.