Arena Pantanal plays host to what could be a pivotal match in the Brasileirao relegation battle on Monday as Cuiaba and Corinthians face off with both sides fighting for survival.
Under their fifth manager of the season, the visitors have remained formidable at home but continue to falter away, going five league matches without a win on their travels.
Match preview
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Cuiaba's season has been marked by struggles, finding themselves deep in the relegation zone with only two wins in their last 15 league matches, a stark contrast to their performance last season, where they managed a 12th-place finish — their best result since joining the top flight in 2021.
New manager Bernardo Franco has brought a glimmer of hope, especially in home fixtures, where the team is currently on a four-match unbeaten run even though the pressure to secure points for their survival bid is mounting.
Franco's side have struggled with a lack of firepower, scoring only 25 goals in 30 matches, and their defensive frailties, with 40 goals conceded, have compounded the pressure to perform in every game.
While the 38-year-old manager has been working to tighten the defence, his team's survival hopes will largely depend on finding some offensive spark to complement their recent defensive improvements and start scoring as they have only scored in one of their last seven games.
Off-field tensions between both teams have also added to the build-up, with a dispute over transfer payments for Raniele leading to a public exchange of words between both clubs' chairmen.
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Corinthians' season has been similarly turbulent as they sit inside the relegation zone in 17th place, albeit it level on points with 16th-placed Vitoria, who lead by virtue of more wins and a superior goal difference.
The visitors' last game in league action ended in a thrilling 5-2 win over Atletico Paranaense, a victory that was followed up by back-to-back respectable cups draws against Flamengo in the Copa do Brasil and Racing Club in the Copa Sudamericana.
Timao's away record has been a significant hindrance to their campaign, with just one win from 15 matches on the road and 24 goals conceded in those games, and despite Diaz steadying the ship at home since his arrival, his side's difficulties on the road persist.
Although the visitors boast an impressive record of four wins in seven meetings against the hosts, their current form suggests this encounter will be more challenging than previous editions.
Team News
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Cuiaba will be without forward Derik Lacerda due to suspension for accumulating yellow cards, while defender Alan Empereur is sidelined with a foot injury expected to keep him out for a few more weeks.
The hosts' highest goalscorer, Isidro Pitta, has not contributed a goal since August, a dry spell that has coincided with the team failing to score in six of their last seven matches in all competitions.
For the visitors, midfielder Jose Martinez and forward Yuri Alberto are both suspended for this match due to accumulated yellow cards, with Alberto's absence being particularly significant as he is the team's highest goalscorer.
Forward Hector Hernandez is out for the season with a sprained knee, while Ryan continues to recover from an ankle injury and is expected to return in early November, joining defender Diego Palacios, who is also sidelined with a knee injury.
Cuiaba possible starting lineup:
Walter; Alexandre, Marllon, Alves, Ramon; Sobral, Augusto; Sauer, Fernandes, Clayson; Pitta
Corinthians possible starting lineup:
Souza; Bidu, Caca, Ramalho, Fagner; Charles, Coronado, Carillo, Garro; Depay, Romero
We say: Cuiaba 1-1 Corinthians
We expect this match to end in a draw, with both teams struggling for form as they fight to avoid relegation.
Cuiaba, despite being in the relegation zone, have shown some resilience at home, remaining unbeaten in their last four matches.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
