Two teams at opposing ends of the Brasileiro league table will meet on Wednesday as sixth-placed Athletico Paranaense will host Atletico Goianiense, who currently sit in the relegation zone.
Both will be hoping to get back to winning ways in midweek after neither were able to pick up three points during their most recent outings.
Match preview
© Reuters
Athletico Paranaense have put together some strong performances throughout this season, which has led them to sixth place at the moment.
Despite that, their most recent outing led to a goalless draw against Internacional, even though they dominated the game with 60% of the possession.
Prior to that, they were able to progress into the next round of the Copa do Brasil by knocking out Bahia with a 4-2 win on aggregate, showcasing their attacking qualities.
Luiz Felipe Scolari's men have been more dominant at home than they have away, having only lost a single match in front of their own fans which will provide plenty of confidence to them heading into this one.
A victory could see them end up in joint first place if other results go their way as well, adding even more motivation to pick up three points here.
For the visitors, a win is something they are searching for, but with a differing reason as they are currently in the relegation zone.
Atletico Goianiense are currently sitting 18th in the league table, having only won four games throughout the entire campaign to this point.
Their most recent performance resulted in a 1-0 loss against Fortaleza where they were unable to hold on as Moises scored a 74th-minute goal to secure the result.
The defensive side of the game is where the visitors have struggled the most, with only three teams in the entire division having conceded more goals than them at this point.
Away from home they have struggled the most, having only managed a single victory on the road, which is something they will need to address in order to start moving up the table.
- D
- W
- W
- W
- L
- D
- W
- W
- D
- L
- W
- D
- L
- W
- D
- L
- L
- L
- L
- L
- W
- L
- W
- L
Team News
© Reuters
Christian is a doubt for the hosts this week after he has missed the last five matches due to a fitness problem, and he is unlikely to be brought back into the team just yet.
Thiago Heleno and Julimar are also unlikely to be used on Wednesday as they have both been ruled out with longer-term issues that will see them miss out on a lot of the season.
Despite concern over his fitness heading into the previous game, Edson was able to overcome the doubts in order to start the game, and he will likely retain his place in the team this week.
At the other end of the field, Diego Churin is someone who is expected to lead the line at the front of the attack as a lone striker in a bid to try and provide some goals.
Athletico Paranaense possible starting lineup:
Bento; Khellven, Henrique, Hernandez, Abner; Moura, Erick; Canobbio, Terans, Cuello; Pablo
Atletico Goianiense possible starting lineup:
Ronaldo; Dudu, Wanderson, Edson, Jefferson; Freitas, Baralhas; Airton, Jorginho, Rato; Churin
We say: Athletico Paranaense 2-0 Atletico Goianiense
Because of the league positioning that these two teams have right now, it is the hosts who will be the heavy favourites in a bid to pick up the victory here.
That is something that they should do as well considering the quality of their squad, and the fact that they have been more dominant throughout the campaign.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
