Both in different states as they aim to avoid relegation, Athletico Paranaense and Atletico Goianiense will lock horns at Ligga Arena on Wednesday night for a Brasileiro clash.
The Red and Black managed a narrow home victory last time out in the top tier, whilst the Dragon were frustratingly held to a share of the spoils at their base.
Match preview
© Imago
Following back-to-back losses in the league to Vitoria and Sao Paulo at the beginning of the month, Athletico Paranaense managed to get their November ambitions back on track on the weekend, when Wednesday's hosts secured a hard-fought maximum over Atletico MG at Ligga Arena.
Despite enjoying just 30% possession over the course of the 90 minutes, the Red and Black created the lion's share of the clear-cut chances and made their visitors pay in the 28th minute, when Argentinian winger Tomas Cuello fired home only his second top-flight goal of the calendar year.
Hitting double digits for wins in the league courtesy of the success over Atletico MG last time out, Athletico Paranaense have moved up to 14th place in the Brasileiro table, level on points with 17th-placed Juventude, meaning that Lucho Gonzalez's side still face an almighty scrap for survival.
The Red and Black will take relative confidence from their recent record at Ligga Arena ahead of Wednesday's battle, with the hosts collecting six points from their last three Brasileiro matches at the venue, including maximum points from a 3-0 smashing of Copa Libertadores-chasing Cruzeiro on October 26.
Earning promotion following a fourth-placed finish in Serie B during the 2023 term, Atletico Goianiense appear set for an immediate return to the second tier in December, with the 2024 season in the Brasileiro turning out to be extremely difficult for the top-flight minnows.
That being said, the Dragon have only lost one of their last four matches in the division, with Wednesday's visitors keeping their faint hopes of safety alive by securing a goalless draw against Red Bull Bragantino at Estadio Antonio Accioly on Saturday night.
Approaching the final five contests of the top-tier campaign, Atletico GO are occupying bottom spot in the Brasileiro standings, three points behind 19th-placed Cuiaba and a mammoth 11 points adrift of Criciuma in 16th, meaning that relegation could be confirmed before the end of the week.
With the Atletico GO winning just two of their 16 away matches in the division so far in 2024, travelling supporters at Ligga Arena will arrive in hope more than expectation, with only Juventude (8) managing fewer points on the road than the Dragon's nine to date.
Team News
Athletico Paranaense remain without the services of winger Agustin Canobbio, who is expected to be sidelined until the end of the month due to a muscle injury.
The Red and Black will be unable to call upon the talents of Gonzalo Mastriani for the remainder of the campaign, limiting their options at the focal point of attack.
Focusing on the backline, 32-year-old Madson is fighting to feature again this season after picking up a troublesome ankle issue in October.
Atletico GO have a pair of high-profile suspensions for Wednesday night, with Gonzalo Freitas and Rhaldney Norberto both unable to feature for the Brasileiro's whipping boys.
Playing just three league matches this year due to an Achilles tendon injury, midfielder Jorginho is unlikely to feature before the start of December for the Dragon.
Athletico Paranaense possible starting lineup:
Mycael; Godoy, Belzi, Heleno, Esquivel; Erick, Gabriel, Cuello, Nikao, Cruz; Pablo
Atletico Goianiense possible starting lineup:
Ronaldo; Tubarao, Martins, Vinicius, Romao; Shaylon, Baralhas, Lacava, Fernando, Techera; Hurtado
We say: Athletico Paranaense 2-0 Atletico Goianiense
After a solid home success over Atletico MG last time out, Athletico Paranaense should be confident of putting the final nail in the coffin of Atletico Goianiense's survival dreams.
The Dragon have been extremely poor travellers across 2024, and we cannot envisage the visitors managing a miraculous victory at Ligga Arena.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
Carter White
