Both aiming to boost their chances of avoiding an unthinkable relegation, Criciuma and Vitoria will clash at Estadio Heriberto Hulse for a Brasileiro battle on Wednesday evening.
Tigre are enduring a worrying winless streak as they head into this all-important match, whilst the Red and Blacks are looking to get back to winning ways after defeat last time out.
Match preview
© Imago
Since the two-goal success at home to Atletico Goianiense on October 3, Wednesday evening's hosts Criciuma have endured a four-game winless run in the Brasileiro, severely damaging their chances of avoiding a bottom-four finish and relegation to the second tier of Brazilian football.
Tigre have lost back-to-back contests heading into Wednesday's fixture to Internacional and Cruzeiro on Saturday night, when goals from Kaio Jorge and Gabriel Veron did the damage ultimately, with Allano securing a consolation strike for the visitors in the closing stages.
Approaching the final five matches of the top-tier campaign, Criciuma are languishing down in 16th position in the Brasileiro standings, level on points with 17th-placed Juventude in the highest of the relegation spots, meaning that demotion is a distinct possibility in December.
Formerly a shining star on the Premier League stage at Crystal Palace and Everton, Yannick Bolasie is the danger man this year for Tigre and will be pivotal to their survival charge, with the 35-year-old scoring six goals and providing four assists across 29 Brasileiro matches in 2024.
Securing successes over Red Bull Bragantino, Fluminense and Athletico Paranaense in a row, Vitoria enjoyed their longest league winning run of the calendar year over the past month before suffering a 2-1 defeat at home to Corinthians, who managed to boost their chances of earning a spot in the Copa Sudamericana.
It appeared as if the Red and Blacks were heading towards a fourth straight victory last time out when Alerrandro fired his men ahead after just nine minutes of the contest, but Corinthians were able to complete a turnaround courtesy of strikes from Yuri Alberto and Netherlands star Memphis Depay.
Vitoria's collection of nine points from their last four league matches has allowed them to move out of the relegation zone in the Brasileiro rankings, meaning that Wednesday's visitors are currently occupying 13th spot, one point and four places above Juventude in 17th.
Formerly capped on three occasions by Brazil Under-17s, 24-year-old Alerrandro is the leading star for the Red and Blacks this season, with the striker providing 14 goal contributions across 29 Brasileiro appearances.
Team News
Criciuma remain without the services of first-choice goalkeeper Gustavo, with the 31-year-old out of action since the start of November due to a thigh injury.
As a result, backup option Alisson will retain his spot in between the sticks in the meanwhile, with the shot-stopper failing to keep a clean sheet in six attempts.
Tigre have a pair of notable absentees on Wednesday due to suspension, with both Wilker Angel and Miguel Trauco unable to feature for the hosts.
Vitoria have a duo of stars who will not play again this year, with the losses of Camutanga and Osvaldo major blows to the survival hopes of the visitors.
The Red and Blacks are also without centre-back Caio Vinicius, who is expected back in action at the end of the month following a thigh injury.
Criciuma possible starting lineup:
Alisson; Claudinho, Fagundes, Maia, Dudu; Newton, Barreto, Allano, Matheusinho, Hermes; Caike
Vitoria possible starting lineup:
Arcanjo; Caceres, Edu, Leonardo, Calmon; Machado, Luan, Mosquito, Matheuzinho, Eduardo; Alerrandro
We say: Criciuma 1-2 Vitoria
With major absentees from their backline due to injury and suspension, we are expecting relegation-threatened Criciuma to struggle on home soil on Wednesday evening.
Vitoria have produced some promising performances over the past four matches and should be confident of putting Tigre to the sword during this battle.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
Carter White
