Vasco da Gama and Atletico Goianiense go head to head for the third time within the space of two weeks when they meet in the Copa do Brasil round-of-16 on Tuesday.
With last week's first-leg ending all square in Goiania, a place in the quarter-finals remains up for grabs and we expect the two teams to go all out at the Estadio Sao Januario.
Match preview
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Vasco da Gama failed to move into the top half of the Brasileiro Serie A standings on Saturday when they played out a somewhat disappointing 2-2 draw with Red Bull Bragantino after throwing away their lead in the 89th minute.
After Jhon Jhon struck in the fifth minute to hand Bragantino a first-half lead, Gabriel Souza and Adson scored in a 10-minute spell to turn the tie on its head but substitute Helinho netted late in the game to snatch a point for the Massa Bruta.
With that result, Vasco da Gama have failed to taste victory in three consecutive Serie A matches — picking up one point from a possible nine — having won four back-to-back games preceding this run.
Rafael Paiva's men, who are currently 11th in the league table, now turn their attention to the Copa do Brasil, where they have enjoyed an impressive campaign as they look to secure their first title since 2011.
Having kicked off the campaign with wins over lower-tier sides Marcilio Dias and Agua Santa, Vasco had to dig deep in their third-round clash against Fortaleza as they edged out the Leao do Pici on penalties after a 3-3 aggregate stalemate.
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Atletico Goianiense, on the other hand, breezed through the opening two rounds as they secured a 3-1 win over Real Brasilia on March 7, before claiming a 5-2 aggregate victory over Serie B outfit Brusque in May.
However, Vagner Mancini's men were denied a first-leg win in the round of 16 last Wednesday as they were held to a 1-1 draw by Vasco when the sides squared off at the Estadio Antonio Accioly.
In a game where Maguinho received his marching orders, Pablo Vegetti came up clutch for the visitors as he netted in the 88th minute to cancel out Emiliano Rodriguez's seventh-minute opener and force a share of the spoils.
Goianiense head into the return leg without a win in 13 straight games across all competitions, picking up five draws and losing eight, including a humbling 4-1 defeat at the hands of Botafogo in Serie A on Saturday night.
While the Dragao will be looking to find their feet and return to winning ways on Tuesday, they will have to be at their best at the Estadio Sao Januario, where they won just one of their last nine visits while losing seven and claiming one draw since May 2009.
Recent results on the road also offer little optimism as Goianiense have lost each of their most recent four away games and have failed to win their last six, conceding 12 goals and scoring four since a 2-1 victory at Fluminense on June 16.
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Team News
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Vasco da Gama remain without the trio of Guilherme Estrella, Joao Victor and Paulinho Paula, who have all been ruled out through knee injuries.
Paulo Henrique and 22-year-old midfielder Mateus Carvalho missed the game against Red Bull Bragantino due to suspension but should return to the fold on Tuesday.
Brazilian full-back Lucas Piton is also a doubt for Paiva's men after missing the aforementioned game due to a muscle problem, meaning 31-year-old Victor Luis should retain his role in defence.
As for Goianiense, Mancini will be unable to name 29-year-old defender Bruno Tubarao, who has been sidelined since picking up a thigh injury against Palmeiras on July 11.
Brazilian goalkeeper Ronaldo Strada has missed each of the last three games through a muscle injury and the 27-year-old is also out of contention for the Dragao.
Vasco da Gama possible starting lineup:
Jardim; Rodriguez, Maicon, Leo, Luis; Souza, Moura, Sforza, Payet; Adson, Gabriel
Atletico Goianiense possible starting lineup:
Rangel; Gustavo, Martins, Felipe, Romao; Freitas, Baralhas, Shaylon; Campbell, Rodriguez, Fernando
We say: Vasco da Gama 2-0 Atletico Goianiense
While Vasco da Gama have suffered a drop-off in form of late, they will be backing themselves against an out-of-sorts Goianiense side who have failed to win their last 13 matches in all competitions. Paiva's men are currently unbeaten in six straight home matches and we fancy them to come away with the desired result.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
Joshua Ojele
