Palmeiras will be looking to make it six home wins on the bounce when they play host to Atletico Goianiense in round 16 of the Brasileiro Serie A on Thursday.
Having failed to win any of the last 10 meetings between the teams, the Dragao will journey to Allianz Parque looking to get one over the hosts and snap their six-match winless run.
Match preview
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Highly-rated youngster Estevao turned in another performance of the highest quality as he inspired Palmeiras to a comfortable 2-0 victory over Bahia at Allianz Parque on Sunday.
The 17-year-old, who is set to move to Premier League powerhouse Chelsea next season once he turns 18, opened the scoring just before the half-time break with a sublime finish before setting up striker Rony in the 61st minute.
Palmeiras have now gone unbeaten in 11 of their last 12 matches across all competitions — picking up eight wins and three draws — with a 3-0 loss against Fortaleza at the Estadio Castelao on June 27 being the exception.
This blistering run of results has seen Abel Ferreira's men surge into third place in the Serie A standings, level on 30 points with second-placed Botafogo and just one point shy of league leaders Flamengo.
Next up for Palmeiras is the challenge of taking on an opposing side against whom they are unbeaten in each of their previous 10 encounters, claiming eight wins and two draws since a 2-1 loss in November 2012.
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With the season approaching its midway point, Atletico Goianiense find themselves struggling for results at the wrong end of the table, having picked up just two wins from 15 league matches so far.
Their major struggles have come on home turf, where they are the only side yet to taste victory in the Serie A, losing five and claiming two draws in their seven matches so far.
This was highlighted last Sunday as they suffered a 2-1 defeat against a resilient Athletico Paranaense side when the two teams squared off at the Estadio Antonio Accioly.
In that encounter, Luiz Fernandez struck in the 47th minute to put Atletico Goianiense in front after a goalless first half but Julimar and substitute Lucas Di Yorio found the back of the net for Paranaense to turn the game on its head.
With last weekend's results, Anderson Gomes's men have now gone six consecutive games without a win, losing three and claiming three draws since scraping a 2-1 victory over fellow strugglers Fluminense on June 16.
With 11 points from 15 matches, Atletico Goianiense are currently 19th in the Serie A standings, level on points with 18th-placed Gremio and four points above rock-bottom Fluminense.
Team News
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Palmeiras remain without 25-year-old midfielder Richard Rios, who is currently away on international duty with Colombia at the ongoing Copa America.
Ferreira's side will also take to the pitch without several players down the spine of the team as Murilo Cerqueira (ankle), Lazaro (thigh) and Bruno Rodrigues (knee) continue their spells on the sidelines.
Brazilian midfielder Romulo has missed each of the last eight matches through a thigh injury while fellow midfielder Ze Rafael is set to sit out his third consecutive game after coming off injured against Cortinthans on July 2.
Estevao was involved in both goals against Bahia last time out and the 17-year-old, who now has four goals and three assists in his last eight games, will certainly be one to watch out for.
Goianiense, on the other hand, will have to cope without Derek Freitas, who is suspended after picking up a straight red in last weekend's defeat against Paranaense.
On the injury front, the Dragao will be unable to name the duo of Pedro Henrique and Internacional loanee Gustavo Campanharo, who have been ruled out through thigh and knee injuries respectively.
Palmeiras possible starting lineup:
Weverton; Mayke, Reis, Gomez; Estevao, Moreno, Menino, Veiga, Piquerez; Lopez, Rony
Atletico Goianiense possible starting lineup:
Ronaldo; Romao, Vinicius, Martins, Maguinho; Baralhas, Kal, Roni, Rhaldney; Rodriguez, Shaylon
We say: Palmeiras 3-1 Atletico Goianiense
Atletico Goianiense have struggled for results of late and are in for another tough 90 minutes against a Palmeiras side who are currently firing on all cylinders. Ferreira's men have been near impenetrable at home in recent weeks and we fancy them to come away with all three points.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
Joshua Ojele
