Preview: Goias vs. Cuiaba - prediction, team news, lineups

With only three league wins apiece so far this term, the points will be fiercely contested - particularly as the hosts' last victory came six games ago.

Match preview

Having made the last 16 of the Copa do Brasil for the first time since 2018, on Wednesday, Goias battled their way to a goalless first-leg draw with local rivals Atletico Goianiense.

As a result, Jair Ventura's side have not scored for over 300 minutes in all competitions, following a 1-0 league loss at Corinthians last weekend.

Verdao had previously managed to claw their way back into several fixtures - picking up five points from losing positions at half-time during this month alone - but their lack of goal threat leaves them amid the relegation places.

Netting no more than one goal in 10 of their last 11 matches indicates the priority for Ventura's work on the training ground, and such form in the final third has seen Goias win only one of their last seven league games.

After July 18, when the season's second transfer window opens, the Esmeraldino will be able to boost their options, having already agreed a loan deal for Rio Ave left-back Savio, who will shortly arrive from Portugal. Between now and then, though, the existing squad will hope to turn the corner.

Still mired inside the drop zone following a 0-0 draw last weekend, Cuiaba were frustrated by a Ceara side under new management at Arena Pantanal.

The club from Mato Grasso now travel to Goiania in search of a change of fortunes, having lost their fourth consecutive away match in Serie A last time out on the road, at Flamengo.

With just nine goals from their opening 13 games of the season, Dourado are suffering a similar drought of attacking ideas to their latest opponents, and sit one point below Goias - occupying 18th place in the table heading into the weekend.

Since slipping out of the Copa Sudamericana at the group stage last month, Antonio Oliveira's men have accumulated just five points in the Brasileiro, and they had a blank diary in midweek due to their early exit from the Copa do Brasil.

The Auriverde manager - formerly coach of Benfica B - could be set for a challenging campaign at the helm of a club which narrowly escaped relegation last year, so putting a rare away win on the board would ease some of the pressure on the 39-year-old's shoulders.

Goias Brasileiro form:

Goias form (all competitions):

Cuiaba Brasileiro form:

Cuiaba form (all competitions):

Team News

Aiming to end a lean spell for Goias in front of goal, striker Pedro Raul will be targeting a seventh league strike of the season on Sunday, as he continues his loan from J-League club Kashiwa Reysol.

Sidimar (Achilles) and Hugo (knee) are sidelined by injury once again, joining long-term absentees Matheusinho and Luiz Filipe - both victims of ACL tears - out of commission for the home side.

Cuiaba, meanwhile, could have defender Alan Empereur back from a muscular problem, though the former Hellas Verona centre-back is expected to start on the bench after his return to full training. Joaquim Henrique should therefore keep his place.

The Auriverde employed a 4-1-4-1 formation away to Flamengo, but Antonio Oliveira may instead persist with the 4-4-2 setup deployed against Ceara last week, which would see Felipe Marques joined by Andre up front.

Goias possible starting lineup:

Tadeu; Dieguinho, Da Silva, Reynaldo, Juan; Elvis, Bastos, Auremir; Maguinho, Raul, Vinicius

Cuiaba possible starting lineup:

Walter; Lucas, Marllon, Joaquim, Uendel; Luis, Camilo, Gava, Osorio; Marques, Andre

We say: Goias 1-0 Cuiaba

Goals are likely to be thin on the ground at Estadio da Serrinha, as both teams are short of confidence and the stakes are already high at this stage of the season - with either side hoping to escape the bottom four. Home advantage should swing a tight contest the way of Goias.

Previews by email