America Mineiro and Cuiaba will be out to end their winless runs across all competitions when they go head to head at the Arena Independencia in Brasileiro action on Saturday.
The hosts picked up an impressive draw at then-league leaders Corinthians last weekend, whilst the visitors suffered yet another defeat as they dropped into the relegation zone.
Match preview
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Despite the excellent point earned at leaders Corinthians last time out, Mineiro boss Vagner Mancini will have been disappointed that his side did not return home with all three.
A fantastic defensive display saw his side limit their hosts to very little action in front of goal, whilst also possessing a constant danger on the counter attack at the other end of the pitch.
Once Aloisio had given Mineiro the lead midway through the second half, Mancini will have been expecting his side to see out the rest of the game and record a memorable victory, particularly after entering the final 10 minutes with the one-goal advantage still intact.
However, Gustavo Silva equalised for Corinthians eight minutes from normal time to send Mineiro home with a share of the points instead.
Despite putting in an admirable display and picking up a positive result, Mineiro now find themselves on a five-game winless streak across all competitions, with a disappointing cup exit in the Copa Libertadores coming a few days prior to the trip to Corinthians.
However, Saturday's hosts still find themselves in a comfortable position of 10th in the Brasileiro heading into matchday nine, remaining consistent with their eighth-placed finish upon their return to the top flight in the 2021 campaign.
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Meanwhile, Cuiaba head to the Arena Independencia on Saturday still under the stewardship of youth team coach William Araujo following the departure of Pintado back in May.
Araujo oversaw an excellent victory at River Plate in the Copa Sudamericana in his first game in temporary charge, but has since gone on to draw with Internacional, and lose successive games against Melgar and Athletico Paranaense.
As a result, it is just one win in 10 games across all competitions for Cuiaba ahead of Saturday's Brasileiro encounter with Mineiro, whom they have beaten just once in six previous meetings in the top flight and Serie B.
Last weekend's 1-0 defeat to Paranaense sees Cuiaba begin the weekend inside the relegation places, but with only eight games into the 2022 campaign, there remains plenty of time for Araujo and his side to turn their fortunes around.
Having picked up six of their eight points so far on their travels this season, Cuiaba will perhaps possess greater confidence being away from the Arena Pantanal on Saturday, so should they manage to turn their home form around, continued success on the road could see them climb back up the table at an impressive rate over the coming weeks.
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Team News
Following such an impressive result last time out, Mancini could well name an unchanged lineup for Mineiro on Saturday.
Juan Pablo Ramirez is ruled out due to a sprained knee, whilst as many as five players remain doubtful to return following recent injury absences.
German Conti, Paulinho Boia, Wellington Paulista, Everaldo and Orlando Berrio are all listed as questionable for the hosts.
As for the visitors, Alesson will be unavailable to make the trip due to picking up another yellow card in last weekend's defeat, which sees the on-loan winger miss out through a one-match suspension.
Fellow forward Elton looks to potentially be the only other absentee however, with Camilo having returned from injury with a half-time substitute appearance against Paranaense.
Joao Lucas and Rafael Gava both return from suspensions served last week, but whilst the former is expected to slot back in on the right-hand side of the Cuiaba defence, the latter is likely to take his place amongst the substitutes.
America Mineiro possible starting lineup:
Jailson; Patric, Maidana, Patrick, Lopes; Juninho, Kal, Ale; Gustavinho, Aloisio, Azevedo
Cuiaba possible starting lineup:
Walter; Lucas, Marllon, Empereur, Uendel; Rivas, Pepe; Marquinhos, Valdivia, Marques; Jenison
We say: America Mineiro 2-1 Cuiaba
This encounter is expected to continue with the trend of recent meetings in our view, with the hosts likely to see off the challenge of their visitors by a narrow margin.
Neither are in particularly decent form heading into this clash, and although Cuiaba have been stronger on the road so far this campaign, Mineiro certainly possess the greater quality that should see them return to winning ways.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
Top tip
Matthew Tranter
