Sports Mole previews Wednesday’s Copa do Brasil clash between CRB and Atletico Mineiro, including predictions, team news and possible lineups.
CRB and Atletico Mineiro will do battle in the first leg of their Copa do Brasil round-of-16 meeting at Estadio Rei Pele on Wednesday night.
The home side defeated Ceara in the last round of this year’s Brazilian Cup in which their visitors just about got the better of lower league side Sport Recife.
Match preview
© Imago
Albeit to no significant consequence off the back of a 2-0 triumph in the first leg prior, Atletico Mineiro suffered a shock 1-0 defeat in the second leg of their cup tie against Sport Recife on May 23.
What followed was a dismal run of three wins from 11 domestic matches before Gabriel Milito‘s men picked up consecutive victories over Vasco da Gama and Corinthians.
Overall, it has been a largely underwhelming campaign for O Galo, who sit ninth in the Brasileiro table, but are closer to the relegation zone than they are to top spot.
Atletico Mineiro will now be looking to avoid exiting Copa do Brasil at this stage for the second year running having been knocked out by Corinthians last time out.
Wednesday’s visitors boast a perfect record against their hosts, picking up two wins from two games so far, although their away displays of late have been far from convincing with just two wins from seven leading up to this one.
© Imago
CRB recorded a pair of 1-0 wins three weeks apart to ease past the challenge of fellow Serie B outfit Ceara in the teams’ round-of-32 clash.
Daniel Paulista‘s men have blown hot and cold since then but are currently on a five-game unbeaten run, winning three times and drawing twice in that time to amass 11 points out of possible 15.
O Galo da Praia now set out to extend their cup journey having already outdone their performance from last season where they fell to Athletico Paranaense.
While the prospect of taking on more illustrious opportunities usually represents a daunting assignment, Wednesday’s hosts are unbeaten in 17 consecutive home matches and will certainly pose a stern test here.
CRB Copa do Brasil form:
CRB form (all competitions):
Atletico Mineiro Copa do Brasil form:
Atletico Mineiro form (all competitions):
Team News
© Imago
Hulk has scored four goals in his last two matches for Atletico Mineiro, and the veteran attacker will be looking to deliver the goods once again.
Brazilian duo Alisson and Everson are ruled out for the home side here through ankle and finger injuries respectively.
Matias Zaracho also misses out with a groin problem, which has seen him sit out each of the last seven matches.
Defender Vitinho is still out of contention for CRB through a long-term injury as he remains without an appearance since early March.
Thirty-six-year-old Anselmo Ramon has found the back of the net in three of his last five matches for the visitors, making him one to keep an eye on.
CRB possible starting lineup:
Albino; Hereda, Saimon, Alemao, Carlos; Falcao, Pedro, Gege; Kleiton, Pereira, Ramon
Atletico Mineiro possible starting lineup:
Mendes; Fuchs, Battaglia, Alonso, Arana; Otavio, Vera, Scarpa, Bernard; Hulk, Paulinho
We say: CRB 1-1 Atletico Mineiro
Atletico Mineiro boast the better squad on paper but CRB have shown on multiple occasions they are no pushovers on home turf.
We can see the teams matching each other over the course of the 90 minutes to settle for a share of the spoils in the end.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.