Preview: Palmeiras vs. Atletico Goianiense - prediction, team news, lineups

The hosts will enter the contest off the back of a 2-0 victory at Coritiba on Sunday, while Atletico GO have also triumphed in their last two league fixtures, including a 2-0 success at Fluminense on Friday.

Match preview

Palmeiras continued their strong start to the campaign by beating Coritiba 2-0 on Sunday, with Dudu and Rony on the scoresheet for the league leaders, who have picked up 22 points from their opening 11 matches to sit one point clear of second-placed Corinthians at the summit.

Abel Ferreira's side have now won five of their last six league matches, including their last two against Botafogo and Coritiba, while they have not conceded a single goal in the Brasileiro since the 1-1 draw with Fluminense on May 8.

Palmeiras finished third in Brazil's top flight last term, some 18 points behind champions Atletico Mineiro, but they are setting the pace in the early stages of this campaign.

The 10-time Brazilian champions last won the Brasileiro in 2018, and they will be looking to end the month with three more victories against Atletico, Sao Paulo and Avai.

Palmeiras have faced Atletico GO on 14 previous occasions and boast a record of eight wins, two draws and four defeats against them, including victories in both league meetings between the two sides last term.

Atletico GO, meanwhile, will enter this contest off the back of a 2-0 victory over Fluminense, which made it back-to-back league successes for the club.

The Dragon have picked up 13 points from their opening 11 matches of the campaign, which has left them down in 14th position in the table, just one point outside of the relegation zone.

Atletico GO have finished 13th and ninth in their last two seasons at this level of football, and they will be bidding to avoid relegation back to Serie B for the first time since the 2018-19 campaign.

Jorginho returned as head coach of the Brazilian outfit in May, and there have been plenty of positive signs in recent weeks, with the team losing just one of their last five league fixtures, recording three victories in the process.

Palmeiras Brasileiro form:

Palmeiras form (all competitions):

Atletico Goianiense Brasileiro form:

Atletico Goianiense form (all competitions):

Team News

Palmeiras are expected to make a change at right-back from their 2-0 win over Coritiba last time out, with Marcos Rocha picking up an injury in the first half, so Gustavo Garcia could come into the side.

The home team will also be missing Gabriel Menino, Raphael Veiga, Mayke and Jailson for the contest with Atletico on Thursday.

Head coach Ferreira is likely to keep faith with the majority of the players that took to the field for the first whistle last time out, with Gustavo Scarpa operating as the number 10 behind Rony.

As for Atletico, Wanderson is still on the sidelines with a muscular problem, while Dudu is expected to be unavailable for selection due to an ankle issue.

Shaylon could be introduced into the starting XI for Baralhas, but it might otherwise be the same side that took to the field for the first whistle against Fluminense last time out.

Diego Churin is likely to retain his spot in the final third of the field despite pressure from Airton, while Wellington Rato will again feature off the right for the visitors.

Palmeiras possible starting lineup:

Weverton; Garcia, Luan, Murilo, Piquerez; Danilo, Ze Rafael; Dudu, Scarpa, Veron; Rony

Atletico Goianiense possible starting lineup:

Ronaldo; Hayner, Edson, Menezes, Jefferson; Freitas, Shaylon; Rato, Jorginho, Fernando; Churin

We say: Palmeiras 2-0 Atletico Goianiense

Atletico GO will certainly be feeling good about themselves after back-to-back wins, but we are finding it difficult to back against Palmeiras here due to their strong form. The hosts should have too much for their opponents, and we are expecting them to keep another clean sheet in a two-goal success.

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