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

The visitors, meanwhile, will be aiming to extend their current unbeaten run to six matches in all competitions.

Match preview

Juventude are currently sat in 16th place with only two points separating them from the drop zone after nine Brasileiro games.

After failing to win any of their opening five league matches, Juventude have picked up seven points from their last four Brasileiro contests.

Three of those points were collected at the weekend, as Juventude edged out Fluminense to clinch their second league win of the season.

A Luccas Claro own goal in the 32nd minute proved to be the decisive moment of Sunday's encounter against Fluminense, with Eduardo Baptista's side holding on to the narrow advantage to end a five-game winless home run in all competitions.

Sunday's 1-0 win also gave Juventude their first Brasileiro clean sheet of the season, which will act as a much-needed confidence boost for a side that have conceded more league goals than any other side in the top flight this season.

Athletico Paranaense, on the other hand, enter the midweek encounter in eighth place after picking up 13 points from their nine league games.

Wednesday's visitors are currently enjoying a five-game unbeaten run across all competitions, although they missed the opportunity to claim a fifth consecutive victory at the weekend.

Luiz Felipe Scolari's side went into half time on level terms with Santos in Saturday's home contest after Athletico Paranaense's Pablo cancelled out Marcos Leonardo's opener.

The hosts hit the front in the 57th minute following Leo Baptistao's own goal, but Leonardo grabbed his second goal of the game eight minutes later to deny Athletico Paranaense the chance to claim their fifth league victory of the season.

Following the 2-2 draw with Santos, Wednesday's visitors will now be aiming to improve on their current away record after losing four of their five away Brasileiro matches this term.

Juventude Brasileiro form:

Juventude form (all competitions):

Athletico Paranaense Brasileiro form:

Athletico Paranaense form (all competitions):

Team News

Juventude are without the services of Elton, who is currently unavailable due to a knee problem, although they are expected to welcome back Capixaba and Edinho from their respective injury issues.

The returning duo may only be fit enough for the bench as Baptista looks to ease the pair back into proceedings following a spell on the sidelines.

Following the 1-0 victory at the weekend, Juventude could name an unchanged lineup for the midweek contest.

As for the visitors, injury issues are expected to sideline Marcelo Cirino and Vitinho, while Reinaldo and Julimar remain long-term absentees.

Chrisitan will also miss out as he serves a one-match suspension for an accumulation of yellow cards, with Leo Cittadini set to be named as his replacement.

After finding the net for the first time in the league this season on Saturday, Pablo will continue to lead the line for Athletico Paranaense.

Juventude possible starting lineup:

Reis; Soares, Mendes, Forster, Matheus; Jadson, Irmer, Chico; Henrique, Gabriel, Pitta

Athletico Paranaense possible starting lineup:

Bento; Khellven, Henrique, Hernandez, Abner; Moura, Cittadini; Rocha, Terans, Cuello; Pablo

We say: Juventude 1-2 Athletico Paranaense

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