The 2011 Brazilian championship has proved to be one of the most unpredictable and tense of recent times, and FIFA.com takes a closer look at the club situation in this footballing hotbed.
The Brasileirao title race is, once again, extremely wide open. This year, though, the top six sides are all from only two states. FIFA.com takes a closer look.
Brazilians Alex and Ibson are hoping their UEFA Champions League exploits with Spartak Moscow can help them win a place in A Seleção.
Spartak Moscow comfortably saw off Alania Vladikavkaz 3-0 in today's only fixture in Russia's Premier Liga.
Chelsea centre-half Alex will miss Brazil's forthcoming FIFA World Cup qualifiers and the FIFA Confederations Cup to undergo surgery on a hernia.
Rubin Kazan climbed to third with a 2-1 victory at Grozny, while FC Moscow overcame Spartak Moscow 3-1 for their first win of the campaign.
