Burkina Faso
Czech Republic
Hungary
Lithuania
Nigeria
South Korea
United Arab Emirates

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

sportsmole.co.uk, 9 September 2021, 22:21
Athletico Paranaense will look to break a six-game league winless run on Saturday, when they make the trip to take on America Mineiro.

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.

Show more

Top News

21 March 2025 sportsmole.co.uk Liverpool left-back Andy Robertson is reportedly set to hold 'crunch talks' with the Reds hierarchy over his future at the end of the season. 21 March 2025 talksport.com Follow all the action as Thomas Tuchel takes charge of his first game as England manager against Albania, live on talkSPORT. 21 March 2025 talksport.com Chelsea's first opponents at this summer's Club World Cup have been expelled from the competition, FIFA has announced. 21 March 2025 sportsmole.co.uk Arsenal have reportedly learned how long Riccardo Calafiori will be out for with a knee injury following the defender's withdrawal from the Italy squad. 21 March 2025 sportsmole.co.uk Ruben Amorim has been told that Brighton & Hove Albion winger Kaoru Mitoma has the quality to play for Manchester United. 21 March 2025 sportsmole.co.uk Liverpool have confirmed that Alisson Becker has pulled out of the Brazil squad after the goalkeeper suffered a worrying injury scare against Colombia. 21 March 2025 talksport.com There were huge smiles at Wembley commentary with Stuart Pearce returning to action after his heart scare. 21 March 2025 talksport.com A brand new football competition begins next week as some of the sport's legends combine with famous faces for six-a-side action. 21 March 2025 sportsmole.co.uk England head coach Thomas Tuchel made the right decision not to call up Arsenal's Ethan Nwaneri, but the 18-year-old is still a safe bet for the 2026 World Cup squad, expert Charles Watts believes. 21 March 2025 talksport.com Cristiano Ronaldo has revealed that he and Georgina Rodriguez are not currently married despite huge speculation. 21 March 2025 sportsmole.co.uk Tottenham Hotspur could reportedly come forward with a 'super offer' to sign Sporting Lisbon hotshot Viktor Gyokeres in the summer transfer window. 21 March 2025 sportsmole.co.uk Premier League giants Manchester City will reportedly attempt to sign Swedish starlet Roony Bardghji from Copenhagen. 21 March 2025 talksport.com Lee Carsley is back in his role as England Under-21 head coach and his strong Young Lions squad take on France tonight. 21 March 2025 sportsmole.co.uk Slovenia will welcome Slovakia for the second leg of their UEFA Nations League playoff tie on Sunday evening, with the contest delicately poised following a goalless draw in the first leg on Thursday night. 21 March 2025 talksport.com Reading face the prospect being thrown out of the Football League unless the club is sold imminently. 21 March 2025 talksport.com Walsall boss Mat Sadler claimed the decision not to request a postponement this weekend was 'out of' the club's hands. 21 March 2025 sportsmole.co.uk Chelsea attacker Joao Felix - currently on loan at AC Milan - could apparently still be offered an escape route out of Stamford Bridge by Aston Villa this summer. 21 March 2025 sportsmole.co.uk Hoping to extend their quest for a first UEFA Nations League crown, Italy will try to overturn a one-goal deficit in the second leg of their quarter-final tie against Germany. 21 March 2025 talksport.com England manager Thomas Tuchel is set to take charge of his first game tonight, but he won't be singing the national anthem. 21 March 2025 sportsmole.co.uk Arsenal are on the verge of agreeing a new five-year contract with teenage sensation Ethan Nwaneri, according to a report. 21 March 2025 sportsmole.co.uk Ipswich Town have reportedly identified Kalidou Sidibe as a replacement for Kalvin Phillips, who could leave the club in the summer should they be relegated. 21 March 2025 sportsmole.co.uk Ultimately seeking a first UEFA Nations League title this summer, Germany will conclude their quarter-final clash with Italy on Sunday evening, leading by one goal from the first leg. 21 March 2025 sportsmole.co.uk Portugal head coach Roberto Martinez is set to name an unchanged side for the second leg of their UEFA Nations League quarter-final against Denmark on Sunday night. 21 March 2025 sportsmole.co.uk Portugal will attempt to recover from a one-goal deficit when they welcome Denmark to Lisbon for the second leg of their UEFA Nations League quarter-final on Sunday night. 21 March 2025 sportsmole.co.uk On top in a tussle between two football titans, Germany will aim to seal progress into the UEFA Nations League semi-finals by finishing the job against Italy on Sunday evening. 21 March 2025 sportsmole.co.uk Netherlands head coach Ronald Koeman will be forced into a defensive reshuffle for Sunday's UEFA Nations League quarter-final second leg against Spain, with Jorrel Hato out of the match through suspension. 21 March 2025 sportsmole.co.uk Bournemouth centre-back Dean Huijsen is expected to make his full debut for Spain in Sunday's UEFA Nations League quarter-final second leg against Netherlands. 21 March 2025 sportsmole.co.uk France head coach Didier Deschamps will likely axe Ibrahima Konate from his starting XI for Sunday's UEFA Nations League quarter-final second leg against Croatia at the Stade de France. 21 March 2025 sportsmole.co.uk With one half of the 2018 World Cup final revenge mission complete, Croatia seek to finish the job against France in the second leg of their UEFA Nations League quarter-final on Sunday evening at the Stade de France. 21 March 2025 sportsmole.co.uk Spain and Netherlands will lock horns for the second leg of their UEFA Nations League quarter-final on Sunday evening, with the tie delicately poised following a 2-2 draw in the reverse fixture in Rotterdam.