Reigning Brasileiro Serie A champions Atletico Mineiro will be looking to close in on the summit when they welcome Fortaleza to Mineirao on Saturday.
The hosts have won three and drawn one of their last four matches on home soil, while the visitors have won three of their last four games on the road.
Match preview
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After enduring a four-game winless streak, Atletico Mineiro have since claimed back-to-back victories at home against Flamengo, winning 2-0 in the league just four days before securing a 2-1 victory in the first leg of their Copa do Brasil last-16 tie on Thursday.
A seventh-minute opener from Hulk was followed by a 55th-minute strike from Ademir to put the hosts two goals in front, and although Lazaro pulled one back for the visitors in the 80th-minute, Atletico held on for the win and will take a narrow advantage into the second leg next month.
While Antonio Mohamed's side will have one eye on retaining their Copa do Brasil title, they will now turn their attention back to the Brasileiro Serie A, with the current champions sitting in fourth place and trailing league leaders Palmeiras by seven points.
The Alvinegro dropped points in 12 league matches last season on their route to the top-flight title and this term they have already dropped points in eight of their opening 13 games, drawing six and losing two. Mohamed will be keen to see his side put together a strong run of form in the coming weeks if they are to avoid slipping further away from the top.
Atletico will be confident of claiming maximum points on Saturday, as they have won four of their last five meetings against Fortaleza, scoring at least twice in each victory.
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Fortaleza have enjoyed a successful week after following up their 1-0 league victory at home to America Mineiro with a 2-0 home win against Ceara in the first leg of their Copa do Brasil last-16 tie on Thursday.
Yago Pikachu scored all three goals across the two matches, including a second-half brace against Ceara to give Juan Pablo Vojvoda's side a two-goal advantage for next month's second leg.
Fortaleza's league win over America Mineiro was just their second this season and that result moved them off the foot of the table, with five points now separating them from safety.
The Lion of the Pici – who finished fourth and qualified for the Copa Libertadores for the first time in their history last season – have endured a disappointing start to the new campaign, as they have accumulated just 10 points from their opening 13 matches. At this stage of last season, Fortaleza were sitting third in the table and had 17 more points.
Nevertheless, back-to-back wins in their last two games has provided them with a boost heading into Saturday's game, while their 2-1 win away at Atletico Mineiro in their last league visit to Mineirao in May last year should also instil believe into Vojvoda's men.
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Team News
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Atletico Mineiro midfielder Jair remains sidelined with a broken hand, while Matias Zaracho and Dodo are ruled out with respective muscle and knee injuries.
Manchester City-bound teenager Savio returned to the substitutes' bench last time out after recovering from COVID-19, and the winger could return to the first XI on Saturday ahead of either Eduardo Vargas or Keno.
Veteran forward Hulk, who has scored 18 goals in 23 appearances this calendar year, is set to lead the line in attack, with Ignacio Fernandez expected to provide support from an advanced midfield role.
As for Fortaleza, forward Romarinho is set to miss the rest of this month with a thigh injury, while defender Tinga faces a lengthy spell on the sidelines after sustaining ligament damage.
Marcelo Benevenuto, Titi and Brayan Ceballos are all expected to start again at centre-back, shielding goalkeeper Marcelo Boeck, while Pikachu and Juninho Capixaba continue to operate as wing-backs.
Robson, who has scored both of his two goals this term in his last two away matches, is set to lead the line and he could be supported in attack by Silvio Romero and Ronald.
Atletico Mineiro possible starting lineup:
Everson; Mariano, Nathan, Alonso, Arana; Otavio, Allan; Savio, Fernandez, Keno; Hulk
Fortaleza possible starting lineup:
Boeck; Ceballos, Titi, Benevenuto; Pikachu, Welison, Felipe, Capixaba; Ronald, Robson, Romero
We say: Atletico Mineiro 2-1 Fortaleza
While Atletico Mineiro will be considered as favourites for Saturday's contest, an upturn in form for Fortaleza suggests that a closely-fought encounter could be on the cards.
Nevertheless, the hosts should have enough quality in their side, particularly in the final third, to come away with all three points in Belo Horizonte.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
Top tip
Oliver Thomas
