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

Though both teams will be looking over their shoulder, they will also be aiming to try and obtain a Copa Sudamericana place, with the hosts currently occupying one of those spots heading into the weekend.

Match preview

Athletico Paranaense clinched an important win against Santos last time out to reach the semi-finals of the Copa do Brasil, which was a much-needed confidence boost, after a poor run of form in the league

This weekend's hosts experienced a disappointing loss in their last league fixture when they travelled to relegation-threatened America Mineiro last weekend.

America Mineiro scored twice in the second half courtesy of goals from Felipe Azevedo and Lucas Kal, which extended Athletico Paranaense's winless league run to seven games.

This weekend's hosts are effectively in freefall in the league and have not won a fixture in Campeonato Brasileiro since July 25, when they won 2-1 against Internacional with David Terans and Vitinho getting on the scoresheet.

The start to the league campaign for Athletico Paranaense was positive, they were fifth after 12 matches with 23 points, but a point from their last seven fixtures has seen them plummet down the table and they will aim to turn things around this Saturday.

Positively, for the home side, they won comfortably 3-0 against Saturday's opponents back in June, with Jadson scoring a brace and Nikao grabbing a goal on that occasion.

Juventude have experienced a raft of draws recently with four of their previous five fixtures ending level, and a failure to convert those draws into victories sees them sit two points above the relegation zone heading into the weekend.

Like their hosts, Juventude are not in the best of form after failing to win in their last five encounters and the last win came just over a month ago, when they clinched a 2-1 victory away to Bragantino.

Juventude gained promotion from the second tier last season, and would most likely gauge success by remaining in the top flight.

The away side will be aiming for a better away trip than the last time they travelled to play Athletico Paranaense in 2007, which resulted in a 4-0 defeat.

Although Juventude have only won once away in the league this season, they can take confidence from the fact that they have picked up five draws on the road this campaign and have only suffered three league defeats on their travels.

Athletico Paranaense Brasileiro form:

Athletico Paranaense form (all competitions):

Juventude Brasileiro form:

Team News

Athletico Paranaense are without defender Lucas Halter and forward Matheus Babi, who are both long-term injury absentees.

Leo Cittadini has not featured since the start of the month, after the midfielder test positive for Covid, and it is unlikely he will return this weekend but should return to training next week.

Antonio Oliveira could name the same side that started during the week in the cup win over Santos.

Juventude will be without midfielder Elton, who is out with a long-term knee injury.

The visitors have William Matheus and Marcos Vinicios suspended after both players picked up their third yellow card of the season last time out, so the pair will serve a one-match suspension.

As William Matheus is out, head coach Marquinhos Santos has to make a decision about who will play left-back, with Alyson, Duda and Rafael Forster all in contention.

Athletico Paranaense possible starting lineup:

Santos; Henrique, Heleno, Ze Ivaldo; Marcinho, Erick, Richard, Abner; Nikao, Terans, De Souza

Juventude possible starting lineup:

Carne; Henrique, Mendes, Quintero, Forster; Dawhan, Jadson, Castilho, Wagner; Boia, Bueno

We say: Athletico Paranaense 2-1 Juventude

After their cup victory during the week, Athletico Paranaense enter this game buoyant after making the Copa do Brasil semi-final and that might just propel them to some better results.

Juventude will cause them some problems, but Athletico Paranaense might just have enough quality to win this affair.