Cuiaba and Bragantino are separated by seven places in the Brasileiro table going into Saturday's gameweek 13 clash at Arena Pantanal.
The hosts are undefeated in four consecutive league matches, and they seek to make that five against an opponent coming off a loss to high-flying Botafogo.
Match preview
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Cuiaba have recently been revived to overcome a wretched start to the campaign in which wins and goals were at a premium in the opening weeks.
Petit came in during a winless six-match start (five losses) that saw Cuiaba also fail to find the back of the net.
However, the origin of Dourado's transformation can be traced to the 5-2 triumph at Criciuma at the start of June, with a 2-1 loss against Cruzeiro on June 13 the team's last defeat this term.
Two wins and as many draws have followed that reverse at Cruzeiro, and Petit's men aim to extend that sequence to five when they welcome Red Bull Bragantino to Mato Grosso.
Having seemingly prioritised results over scoring a bucket load of goals — Cuiaba have netted two in their last three matches, significantly down from 11 in the preceding three — it remains to be seen if that approach pays dividends on Saturday.
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RB Bragantino are seven places ahead of their hosts, but the recent results in Sao Paulo have been mixed.
Three losses in the last five have seen the initial start to the new campaign peter out, with Pedro Caixinha's men slipping to seventh in the table.
The drop-off is underscored when considering the club's first six games vis-a-vis the next six, in which one loss was suffered in the former and an additional three in the recent gameweeks.
Despite the undoubted slide, success on Saturday could take Massa Bruta into the Copa Libertadores places, with Athletico Paranaense (19) just one point ahead of the seventh-placed side before visiting relegation-threatened Vitoria.
On the other hand, losing in Cuiaba could see them drop as low as 11th if results elsewhere go against them — with 10th-placed Fortaleza (17 points) hosting Juventude (16) in 11th, Caixinha's team cannot fall below the continental qualification positions.
Team News
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Ramon returned to the Cuiaba side after serving a one-game ban (accumulation of yellow cards) and the defender should retain his place in the side for Saturday's match.
However, absent for Petit are Max Alves, Gabriel Knesowitsch and Deyverson due to injury worries or illness.
Only Flamengo's Pedro has netted more match-clinching goals than Cuiaba's Clayson, and the wide attacker hopes to make a telling impact this weekend.
Andres Hurtado is unavailable for RB Bragantino as he is with the Ecuador squad participating at the Copa America.
Henry Mosquera was absent for the trip to Botafogo because of suspension, but the winger should return to the squad and could make his 12th appearance at Cuiaba.
It remains to be seen if Cleiton returns between the sticks for the away side, having missed the midweek loss for an undisclosed issue.
Matheus Fernandes (thigh) and Nathan Camargo (knee) are not anticipated to feature at the weekend because of injury worries.
Cuiaba possible starting lineup:
Walter; Alexandre, Marllon, Empereur, Ramon; Augusto, Mineiro, Denilson; Cafu, Pitta, Clayson
Bragantino possible starting lineup:
Lucao; Santos, Henrique, Candido; Vitinho, Jadsom, Raul, Capixaba; Helinho, Borbas, Evangelista
We say: Cuiaba 1-0 Bragantino
Goals for and against have been at a premium in recent games involving Cuiaba, and Saturday's match could follow the same pattern. If Petit's men avoid another late concession — they let in an 86th-minute equaliser at Corinthians last time out — Dourado should nick maximum points in Saturday's gameweek 13 clash.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
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