Atletico GOvs.Criciuma

Neither side has pulled up trees after nine gameweeks, but the hosts are ostensibly in better shape owing to their higher top-flight standing.

Match preview

Nine rounds into Atletico Goianiense's return to the top division, the mood is neither high nor low heading into gameweek 10.

Two victories, two draws and five defeats leave Dragao in 13th heading into the 10th gameweek, two points and a place below qualification for the Copa Sudamericana group stage.

Jair Ventura's men have recovered commendably from the three defeats to start the new term that saw Dragao score once in their 270 minutes of football against Flamengo (2-1), Botafogo (1-0) and Sao Paulo (3-0).

The Goias-based club did not claim maximum points until the campaign's sixth round but have since notched four from the next available nine, losing 1-0 to fellow new boys Juventude in early June.

Dragao's ongoing undefeated run of two games bodes well for their chances against Criciuma, as they hope to avoid defeat for three games running — an undefeated streak not attained since November 2022 (three draws).

Their opponents aim to rain on the recent upswing in Goias, keen to turn the tide after a challenging return to the Brasileiro after a 10-year absence.

Despite playing just seven games, the newly promoted club have not secured maximum points since thrashing Vasco da Gama 4-0 in late April.

Since that laudable triumph, three losses and a draw have followed, leaving Tigre third-bottom in the embryonic table.

Claudio Tencati's men have not had trouble scoring since their promotion, underlined by finding the net in every fixture, but the absence of clean sheets in seven matches points to issues at the other end.

Their defensive bugbear was evident in defeats at the hands of Palmeiras (2-1), Cuiaba (5-2) and Athletico Paranaense (3-1), while notching two against Bahia last time out was not enough as they let in as many in the 2-2 draw.

It remains to be seen if Tencati's side secure the victory to take them out of the dreaded bottom four positions, but entertainment is a near certainty in Goias.

Atletico Goianiense Brasileiro form:

D

L

W

L

D

W

Atletico Goianiense form (all competitions):

L

W

W

L

D

W

Criciuma Brasileiro form:

D

W

L

L

L

D

Criciuma form (all competitions):

Team News

Guilherme Romao returns from suspension for Atletico, having served a one-game ban for accumulated yellow cards against Fluminense.

Alix is doubtful because of an ankle injury while Gustavo Campanharo (knee) is not expected to feature.

Wilker Angel is with the Venezuela squad for the 2024 Copa America, ruling out the Criciuma defender for a few games.

Felipe Vizeu (thigh) and Felipe Mateus (knee) are injury absentees for the away side.

Gustavo will serve a one-match ban after his dismissal (two yellows) in the 2-2 draw against Bahia, forcing the visitors into a goalkeeping change.

Atletico Goianiense possible starting lineup:

Ronaldo; Maguinho, Martins, Henrique, Cruz; Rhaldney, Kal, Baralhas; Shaylon, Rodriguez, Fernando

Criciuma possible starting lineup:

Alisson; Jonathan, Rodrigo, Figueiredo, Hermes; Ronald, Newton, Barreto, Matheusinho; Bolasie, Caike

We say: Atletico Goianiense 2-1 Criciuma

Last season's meetings in the second division saw maximum points claimed by the home side, and the same is expected on Wednesday given their respective forms.

Goals are expected in Goias given recent encounters seeing both sides find the net allied with the away side's inability to keep clean sheets.

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