Atletico Mineiro take on Palmeiras in a top-of-the-table clash on Saturday evening at the Estadio Governador Magalhaes Pinto.

The two sides go into the match separated by just two points and with Atletico having stolen top spot from the visitors in the last round of games after they lost 3-2 to third-placed Fortaleza.

Match preview

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Cuca's side are on a spectacular run of form, with eight consecutive wins in the league moving them from the upper end of mid-table to the summit, but they will now face a sterner test from the 10-time champions.

Fresh from a 1-0 win in their first ever meeting with River Plate in the quarter-final of the Copa Libertadores - having eliminated the ever-imposing Boca Juniors on penalties in the previous round - this talented squad are justifiably running high on confidence.

In fact, the only loss they have suffered since June was against Bahia in the second leg of the Copa do Brasil, where their 2-0 lead from the first leg rendered the result moot.

They have scored first in every one of their home games this season, they have kept a clean sheet in their last four, and there are many other statistics that fall in their favour.

There is one important one, however, that does not. They have won only once in their last six games against Palmeiras.

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The Alviverde looked at one point to be sailing towards a double, with a comfortable lead at the top of the standings, but a couple of poor results has seen that lead disappear.

A 0-0 draw with Sao Paulo was followed up a week later by that dramatic loss at home to Fortaleza - their first this season - where Igor Torres delivered a pivotal winner deep into injury time, shortly after the hosts had been reduced to 10 men.

Palmeiras will be determined to bounce back and immediately have the opportunity to reclaim top spot. They can feel confident in their head-to-head record, having won three of their previous six games against Atletico.

There is also a high chance of drama in a match already fuelled by the battle for the title, with at least one red card in three of the last 10 meetings and a penalty in 57% of the Alvinegro's Brasileiro games so far this season.

Team News

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Atletico Mineiro have a few key players edging closer to a return but still resigned to the sidelines for now, such as goalkeeper Rafael and forwards Marrony and Keno.

Guilherme Arana - who picked up a gold medal representing Brazil at the Tokyo Olympics - is in contention to return but may be rested a little longer with Dodo continuing to deputise at left-back.

Up front, Hulk's strong form - 17 goals in all competitions - has proved to Cuca that there is room in the squad for both the 35-year-old and Eduardo Vargas in a 4-3-3.

Palmeiras are looking a little thin at the back - Victor Luis serves a one-game ban for the aforementioned red card against Fortaleza, Jorge remains out with a long-term ACL injury and Luan Silva looks likely to miss the tie with an abscess.

Deyverson and Wesley are set to return to the starting XI after sitting out the Copa Libertadores game against Sao Paulo on Wednesday, with manager Abel Ferreira likely fitting them into a 4-2-3-1 system.

Atletico Mineiro possible starting lineup:
Everson; Guga, Silva, Rabello, Dodo; Tche Tche, Allan, Fernandez; Savarino, Vargas, Hulk

Palmeiras possible starting lineup:
Weverton; Mayke, Luan, Gomez, Victor; De Paula, Ze Rafael, Scarpa, Veiga, Wesley; Deyverson

We say: Atletico Mineiro 1-1 Palmeiras

It is a tight game that could go either way and, whilst Atletico are riding the crest of a wave, Palmeiras will do everything in their power to prevent them taking all three points and opening up a five-point lead at the top.

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