Reigning champions Atletico Mineiro continue their defence of the Campeonato Brasileiro crown on Saturday, as they visit struggling Juventude at Estadio Alfredo Jaconi.
While fifth-place Atletico had won three games on the spin before being held in the Copa Libertadores this week, Juve have won just twice so far this term and are mired inside the relegation zone.
Match preview
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Emerging from a sticky spell during the preceding weeks, Atletico Mineiro recently enjoyed back-to-back victories at home against Flamengo - winning 2-0 in the league, then securing a 2-1 victory in the first leg of their Copa do Brasil last-16 tie - before picking up another win in the Brasileiro last weekend.
It was far from plain sailing, however, against rock-bottom Fortaleza, as with 15 minutes of the 90 remaining Atletico were two goals down and heading for a humbling home defeat.
Rubens set their revival in motion with his 76th-minute strike, and a winner deep into stoppage time ultimately earned the Belo Horizonte outfit the three points their dominance deserved.
Then, in midweek, Antonio Mohamed's men got the knockout stages of the Copa Libertadores under way at Ecuador's Emelec, emerging with a 1-1 draw from the first leg of their last-16 tie.
Still on course for the latter stages, in their quest for a second continental crown, the Alvinegro now head into Saturday's game on a six-match unbeaten run. Given the status of their opponents, they will expect to improve a record of just one win from their last six away games.
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Ending a four-game losing streak, which sees them still occupying a spot near the foot of the Serie A standings, Juventude were able to hold Sao Paulo to a goalless draw last Sunday.
Juve defied their defensive woes - they hold the league's worst record in that regard, with 24 goals conceded so far - and taking home such a point from the Morumbi, after soaking up 29 attempts at their goal, could prove invaluable at the end of the season.
Umberto Louzer's side last tasted victory, though, against Fluminense at the start of June, when former coach Eduardo Baptista was still in charge.
As expected, the side from Rio Grande do Sul look set for another season of struggle, after narrowly escaping the drop last year; finishing 16th in their first Serie A campaign for over a decade.
Having finally arrested their slump, they will now seek to post just a third league win of the campaign on Saturday. Sitting second from bottom of the standings, Juve are still only four points from safety, and victory would lift them nearer to a packed mid-section of the table.
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Team News
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After a relatively successful debut in the dugout, Juventude boss Umberto Louzer could keep faith with most of the side that started the 0-0 draw with Sao Paulo last weekend.
Should he wish to freshen up an underperforming attack, forwards Vitor Gabriel and Isidro Pitta are both set to return to the squad on Saturday, while left-back William Matheus is back from suspension and goalkeeper Felipe Alves is now available.
Paulo Miranda and midfielder Marlon, on the other hand, remain on the treatment table for the hosts, who should field Ricardo Bueno as their lone striker in a 4-2-3-1 formation.
Though Atletico recently confirmed Pedrinho as their third reinforcement ahead of next month's transfer window, the Shakhtar Donetsk midfielder - who has signed on loan until June 2023 - is not yet eligible to play.
Galo coach Antonio Mohamed welcomed back star striker Hulk in midweek, upon the former Porto star's recovery from a foot problem, and Nacho Fernandez is now available again after serving a domestic suspension against Fortaleza.
While Mariano could be involved after some time off for personal reasons, both Matias Zaracho and Jair are expected to be out of action once again.
Juventude possible starting lineup:
Cesar; Alves, Kelven, Forster, Moraes; Yuri, Jadson; Kim, Edinho, Capixaba; Bueno
Atletico Mineiro possible starting lineup:
Everson; Mariano, Nathan, Alonso, Arana; Otavio, Allan; Ademir, Fernandez, Rubens; Hulk
We say: Juventude 0-2 Atletico Mineiro
Despite a recent reshuffle in attack, Juventude have been lightweight up front this season, so have turned to a more defensive approach under new management. However, the attacking options available to Atletico are far superior, and they should post a third straight Serie A win without too much trouble.
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