While most of Europe will reach a climactic end to another long season this weekend,  Brazilian fans find themselves sitting smugly on the opposite end of the spectrum as they prepare for the inaugural round of another chaotic season - one that many are tipping to be the best in the league’s recent history. Brasileirao 2011 kicks off this weekend. And it promises to be as enthralling as ever.

Fixture Pile-Up

However, as always, the clubs will have to battle against the odds both on and off the pitch, with nobody certain to finish the season with anything like the squads with which they will kick off this weekend. Running from May to December, the Brazilian domestic football calendar piles the pressure on its clubs, leaving them a plethora of logistical challenges along the way. This year, not only will they have to overcome the usual struggle of making it through the finale of the Copa Libertadores (South America’s Champions League), the Copa Sudamericana (its Europa League equivalent) and a European transfer window in which a number of the league’s biggest talents historically flee to Europe, but also a Copa America that runs through July and the U20 World Cup in Colombia that follows.

The big kick-off also arrives directly after the archaic State Championships. By the end of the year, the majority of the players would have played pretty much all year round. Moreover, the five clubs that competed in the Libertadores (Fluminense, Santos, Gremio, Internacional and Cruzeiro), of which only Santos remain, have already been battling on two fronts since January. Throw in a couple of major international competitions and it is clear that fatigue will yet again play a role in the outcome of this season’s championship. Any coach harbouring real title aspirations will have to use their entire squads effectively.

Better Than Ever

Those squads, however, are looking as healthy as ever. A booming Brazilian economy and the increasing professionalism of the clubs’ marketing departments has seen a significant rise in talent not only flocking back to its biggest sides, but, perhaps most significantly, sticking around that little bit longer, resulting in a league that on paper can boast to be the best in recent memory. A championship that is notoriously difficult to predict, though we still have a go, it has been won by no less that eight different clubs in the last ten years, with only Sao Paulo exerting any type of domestic dominance when Muricy Ramalho led them to three straight titles between 2006-08.

Big names, both young and old, are back in their homeland: Football Ramble favourite and free-kick maestro Juninho Pernambucano has returned to Vasco; former Manchester City star Elano is back at Santos; Luis Fabiano and Ilsinho have reappeared at Sao Paulo; Atletico Mineiro brought Guilherme and Mancini back from Europe; while Flamengo secured the biggest signing of all by grabbing Ronaldinho.

The Challengers

With so many deep squads this season, Brazil looks set for one almighty battle for the title and a number of clubs believing they stand a real chance of lifting the trophy come December.

If Santos can hold on to Neymar and Ganso, and cope without them during their inevitable absences through international duty and the odd knock or bout of fatigue, then they’ll count themselves among the real contenders – especially with Ramalho at the helm.

The coach joined Santos in last month after leading Fluminense to last season’s title in what was his fourth league championship in five seasons. His departure leaves Flu in a real state of transition. A staunch pragmatist, Ramalho resigned citing serious structural problems within the club. Flu can count on He-Man though after clinching the signing of Rafael Moura from relegated Goias, and in Argentine playmaker Dario Conca they have the league’s outstanding performer last year.

Cruzeiro are many peoples’ favourites and will fancy their chances after adding striker Brandao from Marseille. Another Argentine playmaker, Walter Montillo, has been a revelation since arriving from Chile and Cuca’s men will hope their substantial firepower boasting the likes of Wallyson, Ernesto Farias, Jose Ortigoza and Thiago Ribeiro can see them do one better after finishing as runners-up in 2010.

Sao Paulo, too, will be hoping for improvement after failing to reach the Libertadores last year. They will hope Fabiano can shoot them towards a challenge for the championship, while new Internacional coach Falcao will be desperate for silverware after crashing out of the Libertadores shortly after taking the reigns.

Inter have made some astute signings including Argentine pair Maro Bolatti and Fernando Cavenaghi and will also be hoping for big things from young Leandro Damiao up front. Ronaldinho’s Flamengo see themselves as favourites, but he’ll have to improve – the former World Player of the Year has been disappointing since arriving in Rio.

Corinthians are among the bookmakers’ favourites having signed Liedson from Sporting, Alex from Spartak Moscow and to a lesser extent free-agent Adriano – who is already injured, out of shape, and a major concern for the Timao.

Gremio would delighted if they could secure a return to the Libertadores after losing the country’s leading scorer, Jonas, to Valencia while Vasco and Luiz Felipe Scolari’s struggling Palmeiras remain huge outsiders.

Opening Fixtures
Flamengo vs Avai
Ceara vs Vasco
Atletico Mineiro vs Atletico- Paranaense
Santos vs Internacional
Palmeiras vs Botafogo
Gremio vs Corinthians
Coritiba vs Atlético-GO
Figueirense vs Cruzeiro
Fluminense vs São Paulo
America-MG vs Bahia