Sports Mole previews Saturday’s Brasileiro clash between Cuiaba and Atletico Goianiense, including predictions, team news and possible lineups.
In-form gourd leapfrogged Atletico Goianiense after the previous Brazilian round, and they hope to consolidate in Saturday’s gameweek 11 match at Arena Pantanal.
Petit‘s men have notched consecutive league triumphs without conceding, and they seek a third straight win over their opponents who have struggled for consistency since returning to the top flight.
Match preview
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Cuiaba can do no wrong right now, underlined by back-to-back clean sheets in victories over Fortaleza (5-0) and Sao Paulo (1-0).
Dourado’s latest triumph ended Sao Paulo’s seven-game undefeated streak in the league, doubly highlighting the home side’s improvement under their Portuguese manager.
They seek a third straight league Brasileiro triumph on Saturday, keen to win that many games since last year when they claimed four league fixtures on the spin from July until August.
Petit’s men should be optimistic, having kept two consecutive clean sheets against Vitoria (0-0) and Fortaleza (5-0), and they hope to make that three against their struggling opponents.
For a side that had failed to score in their opening four Brasileiro matches in front of their fans, the thrashing of Fortaleza a few days back indicated a turnaround was around the corner.
Whether they build on those five goals remains to be seen, but Petit ought to trust in his side’s upswing as the 13th-placed team aim to move into the Copa Sudamericana places by claiming maximum points and hoping results elsewhere go their way.
Standing in their way are Atletico Goianiense, whose top-flight return has been mixed heading into gameweek 11.
Jair Ventura‘s men thought they were set for consecutive league wins after taking the lead in midweek against Criciuma, only for Newton to level for the visitors on the hour and Miguel Trauco to score a stunning free-kick in the 13th minute of second-half stoppage time to break Atletico hearts at the death.
It remains to be seen how Dragao pick themselves up for Saturday’s match against in-form opponents as they seek a third road success this term.
Atletico have fared better on the road than at home, underlined by two away victories in their last three on their travels, pointing to Dragao’s adeptness at showing competence on their travels.
Having avoided defeat in three of the five road matches in which they have found the net — 1-1 at Internacional, 2-0 win at Vitoria and 2-1 win at Fluminense — Ventura’s men hope to avoid similar outcomes to Botafogo (1-0) and Juventude (1-0).
Cuiaba Brazilian form:
Atletico Goianiense Brasileiro form:
Atletico Goianiense form (all competitions):
Team News
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Gabriel Knesovich is touch-and-go for Petit’s side owing to illness, while Deyverson and Derik Lacerda (knee) are unlikely to play any part on Saturday. Denilson was replaced before the hour against Sao Paulo with a seeming injury, making the 23-year-old midfield man doubtful for gameweek 11.
Clayson (three goals) has netted two match-clinching goals since Cuiaba’s hit form, and the wide attacker hopes to have a telling influence this weekend.
Ronaldo was dismissed in second-half stoppage time in the loss to Criciuma, ruling out the Atletico goalkeeper against Cuiaba.
Alix (ankle) and Gustavo Campanharo (knee) are not anticipated to return to action for the visitors on Saturday.
Cuiaba possible starting lineup:
Walter; Alexandre, Marllon, Empereur, Ramon; Mineiro, Sobral; Cafu, Max, Clayson; Pitta
Atletico Goianiense possible starting lineup:
Rangel; Maguinho, Gustavo, Henrique, Romao; Rhaldney, Kal, Baralhas; Shaylon, Rodriguez, Fernando
We say: Cuiaba 1-0 Atletico Goianiense
While surprises are part and parcel of the game, Saturday’s game between Cuiaba and Atletico should go according to form.
Petit’s men are in high spirits following their upswing after a dispiriting start, while Ventura’s side have oscillated between good and bad in their opening 10 games. Thus, backing the hosts for a marginal home success seems the best bet for the gameweek 11 clash.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
