With just a point separating them in the Brasileiro league table, Athletico Paranaense will be hoping to grow the gap when they host Santos this Sunday.
The hosts are in the middle of a four-game winning streak that has seen them push into the top half, while the visitors are without a win in their previous three.
Match preview
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Luiz Felipe Scolari's team picked up a 1-0 victory last weekend against Cuiaba, which saw them extend their winning streak to four matches in a row as Vitor Roque scored the only goal of the game.
This marked the second time during this period where Athletico Paranaense have managed to keep a clean sheet, with the defensive side of the game being something they have worked on.
Last Thursday they also highlighted their attacking prowess though by scoring five against Caracas FC as Pablo and Christian got themselves a brace, and Pedro Neves also got on the scoreline.
In the league, Athletico Paranaense have won three out of their four matches at home, which will provide plenty of belief heading into this particular fixture.
With the table being so tight, a victory on Sunday does give them the chance to finish the weekend on top, despite the fact that they are currently eighth.
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Santos are heading into this one on the back of a 1-0 defeat against the current league leaders Palmeiras, in a game that saw Gustavo Gomez break the deadlock in the 80th minute.
That stretched their run without a win to three games, which has seen them slip down the Brasileiro table into ninth place, where they are just a point behind their opponents this Sunday.
A return to winning ways would therefore see them leapfrog Athletico Paranaense, but it would also have the potential to take them as high as fourth depending on other results.
Santos have struggled away from home though so far this season, as they are yet to win a single game on their travels in the league.
Fabian Bustos has only seen his team score a single goal on the road as well, which is something that will need to be addressed if they are to turn their form around.
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Team News
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Pablo will be sure to start for the hosts this weekend in a big to continue his fine run of form in front of goal as of late after he has scored three in his previous two outings.
Scolari will likely continue to work his 4-2-3-1 formation which has been serving him well as of late, although Julimar and Reinaldo remain unavailable for the rest of this season.
Angelo Borges has missed the previous two matches for Santos due to a thigh issue, and he is a double once again heading into this weekend.
Kevin Malthus is also an absentee for the visitors as he continues to recover from an ACL injury, with the club looking to slowly reintroduce him.
Athletico Paranaense possible starting lineup:
Bento; Abner, Hernandez, Henrique, Khellven; Erick, Fernandes; Cuello, Terans, Rocha; Pablo
Santos possible starting lineup:
Paulo; Madson, Maicon, Eduardo, Pires; Sandry, Fernandez, Zanocelo; Baptistao, Julio, Leonardo
We say: Athletico Paranaense 1-1 Santos
There is very little to separate the two teams in the league table, and while Athletico Paranaense are in strong form overall, the visitors will be sure to provide stern opposition.
Because of how close things are between them right now, a draw could be the likely outcome in this one as they look to share the spoils.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
