Seeking to pick up a fourth win on the bounce and progress to the knockout stages of the Copa Libertadores, Atletico Mineiro play host to Deportes Tolima at the Estadio Mineirao on Wednesday.
The visitors, who are currently second in the group standings, head into the game unbeaten in each of their last 10 outings across all competitions and will look to keep the juggernaut rolling.
Match preview
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Atletico Mineiro cruised through the third round of the Copa do Brasil as they claimed a 1-0 victory over side Brasiliense when the sides met in the second leg of their cup clash last Sunday.
Having picked up a 3-0 home victory in April's reverse fixture, 24-year-old forward Fabio Gomes scored the only goal of the game at the Estadio Estadual Kleber Jose de Andrade to see off the Serie D outfit.
The Alvinegro have now won each of their most recent three outings, scoring six goals and conceding just one, while losing just once in their last 24 outings across all competitions
Atletico Mineiro now turn their attention to the Copa Libertadores, where they have enjoyed a solid group stage run and secured a place in the playoffs as they sit top of Group D with 11 points from five outings.
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Elsewhere, Deportes Tolima made light work of Envigado FC in the Colombian Categoria Primera A as they picked up a 4-1 victory when the sides met at the Estadio Polideportivo Sur last Saturday.
Francisco Baez pulled one back for the hosts in the 65th minute after Juan Fernando Caicedo and Alvaro Melendez out the visitors ahead, but Yohandry Orozco struck seven minutes later to restore the two-goal advantage before substitute Andres Ibarguen put the icing on the cake.
Hernan Torres Oliveros's side are now unbeaten in each of their last 10 matches across all competitions, picking up six wins and four draws since a 1-0 home defeat against Deportivo Pasto on April 16.
The Colombian outfit will now look to keep this fine run going in the Copa Libertadores, where they are currently third in the group standings after picking up eight points from five games so far.
Deportes Tolima head into Wednesday needing just one point to secure a top-half finish as they currently sit just three points above third-placed Independiente del Valle outside the playoffs qualification places.
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Team News
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Atletico Mineiro will take to the pitch without the services of Everson, who is set to sit out his third consecutive game after testing positive for COVID-19.
On the injury front, the Alvinegro will have to make do without Eduardo Vargas after the Chilean forward picked up a muscle injury against America Mineiro on May 4.
Thirty-year-old defender Dodo is also out of contention for the hosts as he continues his spell on the sidelines through a meniscus injury.
As for Deportes Tolima, Oliveros will be unable to calm upon Colombian forward Juan Pablo Nieto, who is currently recuperating from a ruptured cruciate ligament.
He is joined on the club's injury table by fellow countryman Anderson Angulo after the 28-year-old defender came off with a muscle injury in March's game against Patriotas Boyaca.
Atletico Mineiro possible starting lineup:
Rafael; Guga, Silva, Alonso, Arana; Jair, Allan; Ademir, Sasha, Fernández; Hulk
Deportes Tolima possible starting lineup:
Domínguez; Marulanda, Quinones, Moya, Hernandez; Rovira, Urena; Plata, Catano, Ibarguen; Rangel
We say: Atletico Mineiro 1-1 Deportes Tolima
Deportes Tolima must avoid defeat on Wednesday as failure to do so could spell an end to their hopes of a place in the next round. They head into the game unbeaten in each of their last 10 outings and we predict they will do just enough to force a share of the spoils against the hosts who have already secured qualification.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
Top tip
Joshua Ojele
