Having finally arrested a worrying slump with their cup win in midweek, America Mineiro welcome Goias to Estadio Independencia on Sunday.
Victory would take the hosts above their visitors in the Serie A standings, amid a tightly-contested Campeonato Brasileiro.
Match preview
© Reuters
For the fifth successive game, America Mineiro were unable to find the net last weekend, as they followed their 1-0 loss at lowly Fortaleza with a crushing 3-0 defeat to Flamengo.
Vagner Mancini's men have stumbled badly of late, collecting just one point from their five most recent league matches, so it came as something of a relief when they reversed their fortunes on Thursday, in the opening leg of their Copa do Brasil last-16 tie.
After going ahead as early as the sixth minute, America were out of sight by the hour mark, as they cruised into a three-goal lead ahead of the return match against Botafogo later this month.
They will now seek to use that success as a springboard to jump out of the Brasileiro relegation zone, into which they have slid by virtue of goal difference.
The side from Belo Horizonte may have failed to win any of their last seven away matches, but their home victory in the cup follows three from six in the league so far at Independencia.
© Reuters
After previously drawing the first leg of their Copa do Brasil tie with local rivals Atletico Goianiense, promoted Goias went one better last Sunday, as they edged out fellow Serie A strugglers Cuiaba at Estadio da Serrinha.
The Goiania club's fourth league win of the season came courtesy of Pedro Raul's 80th-minute strike, and moves them just clear of the relegation zone.
Also only four points adrift of the top six, in a compressed section of the table, Jair Ventura's side had endured a five-game winless run before last week's success, but confidence will have been lifted ahead of their latest road trip.
With a mere seven away points on the board to date, Verdao are one of several teams awaiting the opening of the transfer window this month, having already agreed a loan deal for Rio Ave full-back Savio.
They may hope to bolster their options up front, too, as Ventura's men have scored only four times in their last six outings, with top scorer Raul doing most of the heavy lifting alone up front.
- W
- L
- L
- D
- L
- L
- L
- L
- D
- L
- L
- W
- W
- D
- D
- L
- L
- W
- D
- D
- L
- L
- D
- W
Team News
As they attempt to post their first league victory in almost a month, America should have goalkeeper Jailson back in action on Sunday, after his return to training following a bout of tonsillitis - deputy Matheus Cavichioli therefore makes way.
However, defensive duo Iago Maidana and German Conti are expected to remain out injured for the home side, who generally favour a 4-1-4-1 formation.
Pedrinho is pushing for a place in Vagner Mancini's misfiring attack, with Aloisio also in contention to return, as Henrique Almeida most likely drops to the bench.
Meanwhile, Goias will have both William da Silva and Maguinho back from suspension this week, so the places of Yan Souto and Caio Vinicius are under threat.
Leading the line up front, striker Pedro Raul will be targeting an eighth league strike of the season, as he continues his loan from J-League club Kashiwa Reysol.
America Mineiro possible starting lineup:
Jailson; Patric, Eder, Avelar, Marlon; Kal; Everaldo, Juninho, Ale, Pedrinho; Aloisio
Goias possible starting lineup:
Tadeu; Dieguinho, Da Silva, Reynaldo, Juan; Elvis, Bastos, Auremir; Maguinho, Raul, Vinicius
We say: America Mineiro 1-0 Goias
As it is fair to say that neither side is prolific, a low-scoring affair is in prospect. America should edge it, as they have conceded only five goals at home this term and their opponents' glaring lack of firepower remains unresolved.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
Top tip
Jonathan O'Shea
