Athletico Paranaense can temporarily climb out of the Brasileiro Serie A relegation zone with a victory over Atletico Mineiro on Saturday at Arena de Baixada.
A 2-1 defeat versus Sao Paulo last weekend dropped El Paranaense down to 18th in the table, while Mineiro are 10th after playing to a 0-0 draw with Flamengo in midweek.
Match preview
© Imago
For months, El Paranaense have suffered one disappointing result after another, winning just one of their previous 14 league fixtures (3-0 over Cruzeiro).
Six of their last seven matches in this competition have ended in defeat, putting them three points below the relegation line, but with a game in hand on Bragantino and Juventude, the two sides right above them in the table.
That poor form has put them in danger of being relegated from the Brazilian top flight for the first time since 2011, when they won a mere 10 Serie A fixtures.
They have just one fewer victory than that after 32 Brasileiro matchdays this year, though Atletico Goianiense are the only one of their remaining opponents currently below them in the table, so there will be many opportunities for them to catch up.
Under Lucho Gonzalez, since late September, they have only claimed one victory across all competitions, with their last three domestic defeats being by a single goal.
The previous three competitive victories by Furacao took place at Arena de Baixada, though they have netted a goal or fewer a dozen times at home in this competition.
© Imago
Lately, goals have been hard to come by for Atletico Mineiro, who have failed to find the back of the net in four of their previous five matches across all competitions.
They have not scored in two successive Brasileiro away contests and have not won a domestic encounter outside Arena MRV since early September (3-2 over Gremio).
Gabriel Milito's side are winless in their last six games across all competitions, claiming just two points from their previous four league affairs.
Galo may need to defeat Botafogo in the Copa Libertadores final at the end of the month to have any hope of returning to that tournament next year, as they are currently 15 points below Sao Paulo for a place in the qualifying stage of that competition.
There are only six Serie A matchdays remaining and Atletico are winless in their previous five away matches in this competition, earning just two points over that stretch.
In their last four domestic visits to El Paranaense's home ground, Mineiro have claimed three victories and have not suffered a single defeat in any of those instances.
Team News
© Imago
Muscle injuries forced Agustin Canobbio, Christian and Thiago Heleno to miss the El Paranaense meeting with Sao Paulo last week, while Madson was sidelined due to an ankle issue.
Gonzalo Mastriani will not be back this season after undergoing knee surgery, Fernandinho is dealing with physical discomfort and Felipinho will be suspended after collecting another yellow card.
Julimar had the only goal for Furacao in their defeat last Saturday, his team-leading sixth of the 2024 Brasileiro Serie A campaign.
On Wednesday, Mineiro were again missing Cadu, who has yet to recover from his knee surgery, while Paulo Vitor will be suspended for this contest because of an accumulation of cautions.
Several of their players will be away with their national teams for World Cup qualifying, including Eduardo Vargas (Chile), Junior Alonso (Paraguay), Alan Franco (Ecuador) and Guilherme Arana (Brazil).
Everson stopped all six of the targeted efforts by Flamengo on Wednesday, collecting his first domestic clean sheet since September 22 against Bragantino (3-0 win).
Athletico Paranaense possible starting lineup:
Mycael; Godoy, Belezi, Gamarra, Fernando; Erick, Zapelli, Julimar; Praxedes, Pablo, Cruz
Atletico Mineiro possible starting lineup:
Everson; Saravia, Battaglia, Lyanco; Scarpa, Vera, Otavio, Zaracho; Hulk, Paulinho; Deyverson
We say: Athletico Paranaense 1-1 Atletico Mineiro
Atletico seem to be looking ahead to the Libertadores final, and even though we believe they have the superior team, Paraense may benefit from having a few extra days of rest and claim a point.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
Joel Lefevre
