Sports Mole previews Wednesday’s Brasileiro clash between Juventude and Atletico Goianiense, including predictions, team news and possible lineups.
Juventude play host to Atletico Goianiense in a rescheduled gameweek five Brasileiro fixture at Estadio Alfredo Jaconi on Wednesday.
The promoted hosts are winless in three league games, and they seek success against an opponent that have found form in recent games despite a slow start to the campaign on their return to the top division.
Match preview
Juventude restarted life in the Brazilian topflight with four points in their opening two games, but they have failed to win in the following three matches.
While Juve notched a point away at Criciuma (1-1) and defeated Corinthians (2-0) on their turf, a 5-0 loss at Botafogo has preceded 1-1 draws against Athletico Paranaense and Fluminense, leaving Roger Machado‘s men 14th in the embryonic table.
Despite the dip after their strong start, fans at Alfredo Jaconi will point to that 5-0 thrashing as a one-off for a club that remain undefeated on home turf since their promotion, securing four points from six.
Their confidence is doubly strengthened by their team’s broader commendable form as hosts, underlined by one defeat in 10 months in all competitions — a 2-1 defeat by Internacional in March.
The next five have ended in wins or draws for Machado’s men, and they seek to extend that streak to six on Wednesday.
Atletico aim to halt the host team’s run without losing on their turf, keen to make the most of a recent turnaround in results.
A wretched start to the campaign saw Jair Ventura‘s men lose their opening three — 2-1 to Flamengo, 1-0 at Botafogo and 3-0 reverse on home turf against Sao Paulo — draw the fourth at Internacional (1-1) and fall to a fourth defeat against Cruzeiro (1-0), but the last two results offer encouragement.
A 4-2 Copa do Brasil victory over Brusque and 2-0 triumph over Vitoria last time out point to the away side possibly turning the tide.
While only a larger sample size of positive results will confirm the third-bottom Dragao finding their feet in the Brasileiro, Ventura hopes two wins on the trot in all competitions (three wins in four) bolsters confidence within the group.
However, Atletico must play better than they did in the corresponding fixture in the second division last term, when they suffered a 3-0 loss at Juventude, to avoid falling back into old habits on their top-flight return.
Juventude Brasileiro form:
Atletico Goianiense Brasileiro form:
Atletico Goianiense form (all competitions):
Team News
Werik Popo is suspended after his sending-off (two yellows) against Fluminense last time out.
While Edson Carioca (thigh) is doubtful for Wednesday, Rodrigo Sam (ankle), Jean Carlos (calf) and Gabriel Taliari (knee) are not anticipated to play any part.
Angelo Araos is missing for the away side because of a severe knee injury, and Yony Gonzalez, Bruno Tubarao and Gustavo Campanharo could join the attacking midfielder on the sidelines.
Vagner Love and Gabriel Baralhas netted in Atletico’s previous game, and the pair could play from the off in midweek.
Juventude possible starting lineup:
Gabriel; Lucas, Boza, Marcos, Ruschel; Conti, Jadson; Marcelinho, Nene, Barbosa; Farias
Atletico Goianiense possible starting lineup:
Ronaldo; Maguinho, Martins, Alix, Romao; Kal, Baralhas, Rhaldney, Shaylon; Cruz, Love
We say: Juventude 1-1 Atletico Goianiense
The hosts have wobbled of late after a strong start on their top-flight return, and that three-game winless sequence could become four against seemingly in-form opposition, even if their unbeaten run on home turf may be extended to six.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.