Preview: America Mineiro vs. Athletico Paranaense - prediction, team news, lineups

The hosts have enjoyed an upturn in form after a poor start to the season, while their visitors have dropped to ninth spot in the Campeonato Brasileiro Serie A table following their difficult spell.

Match preview

After winning promotion last year, America Mineiro had a particularly tough start to life in the top flight, collecting just three points from their first seven games to immediately fall into the drop zone.

While they bounced back with consecutive victories over Bahia and Santos, Vagner Mancini's side went on another five-game winless run in the Campeonato Brasileiro Serie A but seem to have found more consistency since.

Following commendable draws with Gremio and Atletico Goianiense, the Coelho defeated Fluminense 1-0 thanks to Ademir's second-half winner and bounced back from a defeat to title-chasing Bragantino with a 2-0 home victory over Ceara last time out.

Fabricio hit a brace to fire Mancini's men to a crucial win, seeing them rise to 17th spot as a result.

Now sitting just three points adrift in the relegation zone and six points off the top half, they will be fully aware that they can quickly climb the table if this improved form can be continued, with Saturday presenting a good opportunity to topple a side lacking confidence.

Athletico Paranaense enjoyed a strong start to the Brasileiro campaign, winning six of their opening eight games to sit in second spot.

Their form has taken a major dip since then though, with El Paranaense picking up just one victory from their last 10 games in the Brazilian top flight, as they defeated Internacional 2-1 on home turf in July.

That win was followed by a five-game losing run in the Campeonato Brasileiro, as they fell to defeats at the hands of Atletico Mineiro, Sao Paulo, Cuiaba, Corinthians and Palmeiras, scoring just twice in those games while conceding eight goals at the other end.

Antonio Oliveira's side did manage to break their league losing run last time out though, playing out a goalless draw at home to Sport Recife, seeing them keep hold of their spot in the top half as a result.

Since that draw, The Rubro-Negro took on Cascavel in the second leg of their Campeonato Paranaense semi-final tie, and after a 1-1 draw in the home leg, their woes were continued as they were handed a 2-1 defeat on the night to drop out of the competition.

Now with just a two-point lead over 15th-placed Sao Paulo, Oliveira will be desperate for his side to finally make a return to winning ways in league action on Saturday to avoid slipping any closer to the drop zone, but they face another tough task against an America Mineiro side with renewed confidence.

America Mineiro Brasileiro form:

Athletico Paranaense Brasileiro form:

Athletico Paranaense form (all competitions):

Team News

Fabricio should certainly play a key role in the America Mineiro attacking line, after he hit both goals in their win over Ceara last time out.

He should again support forward Ribamar, who has netted two goals in the Brazilian top flight so far this season.

Chrigor, Ze Ricardo, Jori, Ale and Leo Passos all tested positive for COVID-19 prior to the Ceara clash, but with that coming in late August, they should be back with the squad after quarantining.

Athletico Paranaense goalkeeper Santos and attacker David Terans have been in action for Brazil and Uruguay respectively in the recent round of international games, and with both nations playing their final games on Friday, the duo are unlikely to feature in Saturday's trip to America Mineiro.

That should mean Bento continues to deputise between the sticks, while Renato Kayzer could lead the line.

Nikao will offer vital quality going forward, after he got on the scoresheet in the 2-1 defeat to Cascavel last time out, taking the winger's tally to six goals and seven assists in all competitions this season.

America Mineiro possible starting lineup:

Cavichioli; Patric, Potiguar, Eduardo, Paulo; Juninho, Kal; Ademir, Fabricio, Azevedo; Ribamar

Athletico Paranaense possible starting lineup:

Bento; Marcinho, Henrique, Heleno, Abner; Richard, Erick; Nkao, Christian, Rocha; Kayzer

We say: America Mineiro 1-1 Athletico Paranaense

While Athletico Paranaense have the quality to punish their hosts, Olivera's men have struggled to click recently and face a side in a much-improved run of form.

We see the newly-promoted side battling to earn another positive result, but ultimately expect the visitors to avoid defeat while failing to impress.