Sports Mole previews Wednesday’s Brasileiro clash between Corinthians and Cuiaba, including predictions, team news and possible lineups.
Ending a five-match winless streak will be the major objective for Corinthians when Cuiaba come visiting the Neo Quimica Arena on Thursday.
The away side, meanwhile, set out to continue their recent resurgence which has seen them go unbeaten in five of their most recent six involvements.
Match preview
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Corinthians played out a share of the spoils against Athletico Paranaense following a 1-1 draw as the teams faced off at the Ligga Arena on Sunday evening.
Antonio Oliveira‘s men were undone on the stroke of half time by Christian‘s opener before restoring parity in second-half stoppage time through Caca.
As a result, Todo Poderoso have dropped down to 18th place in the Brasileiro table, albeit just one point adrift of safety.
Awaiting them next is the challenge of an opposing outfit who have won just one of the six previous editions of this fixture, losing four of the other five.
Having lost just one of their most recent 10 matches on home turf, Thursday’s hosts have been a huge force to reckon with in front of their fans of late.
Cuiaba were denied a third victory on the bounce courtesy of a goalless stalemate against Atletico GO at the Arena Pantanal on Saturday.
Petit‘s men had their backs against the wall for large spells of the contest and had their goalkeeper to thank for coming away with a hard-fought point.
With 11 points picked up from as many matches so far, Auriverde da Baixada sit 14th in the league standings, two points clear of relegation danger.
Off the back of three wins from their last four away involvements across all competitions, Thursday’s visitors now go in search of another big scalp on the road.
Corinthians Brasileiro form:
Corinthians form (all competitions):
Cuiaba Brasileiro form:
Team News
Corinthians’ Maycon is yet to fully recuperate from a long-term knee injury and will not play any part in Thursday’s contest.
Ruan Oliveira is also a guaranteed absentee for the hosts, while Pedro Henrique closes in on a return to action after almost two months on the sidelines.
Brazilian duo Deyverson and Gabriel will not feature for Cuiaba here, although the latter is drawing increasingly closer to making a comeback.
Defender Max Alves is a huge doubt for the away side here after coming off with a first-half injury scare against Atletico GO last time out.
Corinthians possible starting lineup:
Donelli; Hugo, Caetano, Menezes, Mana; Garro, Bidon, Raniele; Wesley, Raul, Mosquito
Cuiaba possible starting lineup:
Walter; Alexandre, Marllon, Empereur, Rikelme; Mineiro, Alves, Sobral; Cafu, Pitta, Clayson
We say: Corinthians 2-1 Cuiaba
Corinthians have enjoyed the better of this fixture and will be confident of getting the job done on their own patch. We just about fancy the hosts to emerge victorious come the end of the 90 minutes.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.