Sports Mole previews Sunday’s Brasileiro clash between Atletico Goianiense and Athletico Paranaense, including predictions, team news and possible lineups.
Struggling Atletico Goianiense host Athletico Paranaense at Estadio Antonio Accioly on Sunday evening, with both sides looking to bounce back from defeats.
The hosts come into this match on a five-match unbeaten run that has left them in a dire situation, while the visitors have won just one of their last six games.
Match preview
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Newly-promoted Atletico Goianiense have only managed 11 points after their first 14 games in the top flight, leaving them just one place off the bottom of Brasileiro Serie A.
Dragao have already lost seven games, which is 50 percent of their fixtures so far, and this led to the sacking of former manager Jair Ventura in June.
After Anderson Gomes took charge of the side, they went unbeaten in their first three matches, but all were draws, offering little help in moving clear of the relegation zone.
However, things worsened as Atletico-GO lost for the first time under Gomes last Thursday, with Bragantino handing them a 3-1 defeat at Estadio Nabi Abi Chedid.
Dragao return to home soil against Athletico on Sunday, but it might matter little as the hosts have the worst home record in Serie A this season and remain the only side yet to record a win at home.
In addition to their poor home form, the home side also have a terrible record against their next opponents, winning just one of 16 meetings – this sole victory came in the very first encounter between them back in 2007.
Athletico Paranaense’s inconsistent performances continued with a 2-1 loss to Sao Paulo at the Arena da Baixada last Wednesday.
The Rubro-Negro fell behind when Ferreira found the net for the opponents, but they quickly equalised through former Manchester City midfielder Fernandinho.
However, Jonathan Calleri‘s goal on the hour mark sunk Juliano Antonello‘s men to their fourth defeat of the campaign, as both teams finished the game with ten men after Athletico’s goalkeeper Leo Linck received a straight red card and Sao Paulo’s Luis Zubeldia was sent off for a second yellow card.
Athletico PR dropped to sixth in the league table with 22 points after 14 Serie A matches, occupying the final Copa Libertadores playoff spot due to a superior goal difference over seventh-placed Bragantino who are also on 22 points.
The Rubro-Negro ended a run of three matches without an away win with a 1-0 victory over Vitoria on June 30, and now have the opportunity for consecutive away wins for the first time this campaign.
Atletico Goianiense Brasileiro form:
Athletico Paranaense Brasileiro form:
Team News
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Atletico Goianiense have two long-term absentees in Angelo Araos and Campanharo, who are sidelined with cruciate ligament injuries.
Yony Gonzalez, Alix, Gustavo Campanharo and Pedro Henrique are also recovering from different injuries and will miss this clash.
For the visitors, Linck will miss this fixture as he serves suspension for the red card he received against Sao Paulo, leaving Myceal in between the sticks as Bento Krepski is away at the Copa America with Brazil.
Midfielder Agustin Canobbio is also at the Copa America with Uruguay, making him unavailable for selection.
On the injury front, the Rubro-Negro will be missing Tomas Cuello (knee), Nikao (thigh), Gonzalo Mastriani (muscle) and Filipinho (illness), who are all still in the recovery phase.
Atletico Goianiense possible starting lineup:
Ronaldo; Maguinho, Martins, Vinicius, Romao; Kal, Roni; Shaylon, Baralhas, Fernando; Rodriguez
Athletico Paranaense possible starting lineup:
Myceal; Godoy, Rocha, Heleno, Esquivel; Fernandinho, Gabriel, Erick; Cardoso, Pablo, Julimar
We say: Atletico Goianiense 0-1 Athletico Paranaense
Atletico-GO have not taken well to life in the top division and they are especially vulnerable on home soil, which is an advantage for Athletico PR on Sunday. The visitors have both history and form on their side and it is difficult to look beyond another win for them here.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.