Two sides hoping to break out of the Campeonato Brasileiro Serie A relegation zone will square off on Sunday, as Atletico Goianiense entertain America Mineiro.

Both teams will be aiming to break losing runs, with the hosts 18th after four straight defeats, while their visitors are just one point better off after three losses in a row heading into the weekend.

Match preview

© Reuters

Atletico Goianiense have had to endure a tough start to the Brasileiro season, as they picked up just seven points from the opening nine games.

The Dragao were then able to improve their standing with victories over Avai, Fluminense and Juventude in a four-match span in June, before taking a point from a 1-1 draw away at Ceara.

That stalemate was followed by a narrow defeat to Sao Paulo, and Jorginho's side have been unable to turn their form around since, now heading into Sunday in a run of four straight defeats.

Following losses to Santos and Fortaleza, the Dragao took on Athletico Parananese last time out in their search for a return to winning ways, but they were comfortably beaten as Tomas Cuello, Agustin Canobbio, David Terans and Leo Cittadini all got on the scoresheet in a 4-1 thrashing, with Kelvin's second-half goal nothing more than a consolation.

Although they sit 18th in the top flight as a result of their slump, Jorginho's men remain just a point adrift of safety at this stage, and they would leapfrog their opponents and likely jump out of the bottom four all together should they post an important win at the weekend.

America Mineiro arrive in an almost identical situation, though, as they also sit in the bottom four following a run of defeats.

Following a relatively positive start to the term, Vagner Mancini's side now find themselves in a dismal run of form, having picked up just one win and four points from their last nine games, with that lone triumph coming after four defeats and a draw.

They have been unable to build on that since, firstly being narrowly beaten by Internacional, before an early Alerrandro brace and a Marcos Vinicios goal condemned them to a 3-0 defeat at home to Bragantino.

Looking to turn their form around, the Coelho faced a particularly tough test against league leaders Palmeiras last time out, and they again came away empty-handed as Gustavo Scarpa's second-half goal made the only difference in a 1-0 triumph for their visitors.

While they should not be too disheartened by a narrow loss against one of the league's standout sides after an improved showing, Mancini's men will be desperate to arrest their slide and gain a crucial result over another struggling side to avoid being cut adrift as the season progresses.

Team News

Attacker Kelvin will be vying to feature from the outset for Atletico Goianiense on Sunday, after he came off the bench and scored against Athletico Paranaense last time out.

Given the lack of goals throughout the squad, Diego Churin will likely keep his place in attack with little competition for places in the front line, while Wellington Rato has chipped in with four goals from the left-hand side in Brasileiro action so far this season.

Marlon Freitas remains a key man at the base of midfield, and he should be partnered by Gabriel Baralhas in a 4-2-3-1 setup, while Edson has just departed the club and will need replacing in the back line.

Henrique Almeida should again lead the America Mineiro line, while veteran winger Felipe Azevedo will hope to retake his place in the starting XI after being reduced to a substitute appearance last time out.

He faces competition though, with Bragantino loanee Pedrinho appearing to be in favour on the left-hand side.

Mancini should avoid making too many changes after a fighting effort against Palmeiras, with Iago Maidana and Benfica loanee German Conti set to keep their places at the heart of the back four.

Atletico Goianiense possible starting lineup:
Ronaldo; Hayner, Wanderson, Camutanga, Jefferson; Baralhas, Freitas; Kelvin, Fernando, Rato; Churin

America Mineiro possible starting lineup:
Cavichioli; Patric, Maidana, Conti, Avelar; Juninho, Eder, Matheusinho; Everaldo, Almeida, Pedrinho

We say: Atletico Goianiense 1-1 America Mineiro

With so much on the line in as much of a relegation six-pointer as is possible at this stage, we expect a cagey encounter on Sunday and cannot quite pick a winner.

Both sides will be fearful of the harm a defeat would cause, while both have struggled for victories throughout the season, and we see a share of the spoils as the most likely outcome as a result.

For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.

Previews by email