After sealing their place in the knockout phase of the Copa Libertadores in midweek, Atletico Mineiro return to Campeonato Brasileiro duty on Sunday, when they meet local rivals America Mineiro at Mineirao.
The two Belo Horizonte clubs are separated by 11 points and nine places in the Serie A standings, with Atletico pushing for a top-six place and America languishing down in the drop zone.
Match preview
© Reuters
Since coming under the command of veteran coach Luiz Felipe Scolari in mid-June, Atletico Mineiro remain winless in three matches, after their most recent outing ended in a 1-1 draw against Paraguayan club Libertad on Tuesday.
Nonetheless, that result was enough to edge Galo into the Copa Libertadores last 16, securing second spot in Group G behind fellow Brazilians Athletico Paranaense and reaching the knockout phase for the eighth time in a decade.
Scolari's side now return from Asuncion with domestic matters back on the agenda, and fans will be expecting an upturn to begin soon, after a draw at Fluminense in the World Cup winner's first game was followed by last week's loss to Fortaleza, who leapfrogged Atletico in the table as a result.
Having seen their four-match unbeaten streak ended, the 2021 Brasileiro champions will now seek to snap a four-game winless run on Sunday, when they reprise a longstanding rivalry with old foes America.
The state of Minas Gerais will stand still for the latest playing of a derby between two teams that first met back in 1913, and Scolari may need all of his vast experience to handle the occasion.
© Reuters
Nearly 110 years after that groundbreaking encounter, the clubs' most recent meeting came in April of this year, when Atletico won 2-0 to claim the Campeonato Mineiro, contested between teams throughout Minas Gerais.
America were thumped 5-2 on aggregate in a two-legged final despite playing almost half of the second leg with a one-man advantage, and they have generally played the junior partner in the relationship.
Like Atletico, Vagner Mancini's men progressed into the knockout stages of continental competition this week, and in America's case a 2-1 win over Penarol on Thursday secured their place in the Copa Sudamericana playoffs.
Two goals in the final 15 minutes saw Coelho to victory in Montevideo, as strikes from Danilo Avelar and Juninho snatched second place in Group F of South America's second-tier club tournament, and they will now face Chile's Colo-Colo for a spot in the last 16.
However, America sit 19th in the Serie A standings after 12 rounds of Brasileiro fixtures, and last week's home loss to Internacional leaves them with just two league wins to their name this term.
Team News
© Reuters
Still seeking his first win as Atletico Mineiro boss, Luiz Felipe Scolari has several absences to deal with approaching Sunday's derby.
Midfielder Hyoran could miss several weeks following an ankle ligament tear sustained against Fortaleza, while Argentinian full-back Renzo Saravia is suspended for being sent off in the same game.
Midfielder Allan (back) and attacking midfielder Pedrinho (thigh) returned to training this week following injury, but neither is yet fit to return; Bruno Fuchs is still troubled by a thigh problem, so Mauricio Lemos - who deputised in midweek - is set to continue at centre-back.
America coach Vagner Mancini, meanwhile, will have Marcinho back at his disposal this weekend, after the on-loan right-back was ineligible for the Copa Sudamericana clash with Penarol on Thursday.
Having made a number of changes in Uruguay, Mancini could also recall midweek matchwinners Juninho and Danilo Avelar - who both scored after arriving from the bench - plus defensive regular Iago Maidana.
Ricardo Silva, Mateusinho, Mikael and Adyson remain unavailable, though, as they occupy Coelho's injured list.
Atletico Mineiro possible starting lineup:
Everson; Mariano, Lemos, Jemerson, Arana; Battaglia, Zaracho; Pavon, Paulinho, Gomes; Hulk
America Mineiro possible starting lineup:
Cavichioli; Marcinho, Wanderson, Maidana, Avelar; Kal, Breno, Juninho; Azevedo, Aloisio, Everaldo
We say: Atletico Mineiro 2-0 America Mineiro
America have already conceded at least two goals on 10 separate occasions this season, so faced with an Atletico attack led by veteran striker Hulk, they are unlikely to keep a clean sheet at Mineirao. That should lead to three wins from three for Galo in the derby this year.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
Top tip
Jonathan O'Shea
