Preview: Ceara vs. Atletico Mineiro - prediction, team news, lineups

Atletico Mineiro will hope to return to winning ways in the Brasileiro on Thursday when they travel to Ceara.

The Alvinegro are keen to mount another title challenge this season and sit fifth in the table, two points behind leaders Athletico Paranaense, while Ceara are 12th.

Match preview

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Atletico Mineiro missed the chance to go level at the top of the table in the early hours of Tuesday morning when they drew 1-1 with Chapecoense; Tche Tche gave them a first-half lead before Ravanelli equalised from the penalty spot in the 80th minute.

They had gone into the game on a five-match winning streak in all competitions, having found their stride following defeat to Fortaleza in the opening round of fixtures.

Under Jorge Sampaoli last season, Atletico Mineiro finished third in the Brasileiro, their highest placing in five years. However, the Argentine coach resigned earlier this year and was replaced by Cuca, who is in his second spell at the Mineirao.

The Alvinegro have won 1-0 in both of their away league matches so far this season, against Sport Recife and Internacional, and are on the road again in their next fixture against Santos.

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Ceara's last match was also a 1-1 draw, against Internacional, with Lima equalising with a free kick on the stroke of half time after Edenilson's penalty had given Inter an early lead.

It meant that all six of their goals so far this season have been scored by different players. At the other end of the pitch, only Internacional (nine) have conceded more goals than Ceara (eight) in the Brasileiro at this early stage of the campaign. Guto Ferreira's men have only won one of their opening five games of the season and that came in their first fixture against Gremio, and they host Hernan Crespo's Sau Paulo on Monday.

Ceara have not beaten Atletico Mineiro in their last four encounters, with the two sides drawing 2-2 the last time they met last November.

Team News

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William Oliveira missed Ceara's draw against Internacional through injury, making him a doubt for Thursday's game, while goalkeeper Joao Ricardo is a confirmed absentee.

Last season's top scorer Vina has only started one league game so far this campaign, scoring from the penalty spot when he did so; Guto Ferreira may be tempted to play him from the off in this game.

Atletico Mineiro are still without defender Junior Alonso, who is away with Paraguay at the Copa America.

Nacho Fernandez, Nathan, Dylan Borrero and Marrony have all tested positive for Covid-19 so will not be involved, while Dodo has a thigh injury and is sidelined.

Ceara possible starting lineup:

Machado; Dias, Klaus, Messias, Pacheco; Sobral, Charles; Mendoza, Jorginho, Lima; Mineiro

Atletico Mineiro possible starting lineup:

Everson; Guga, Rever, Gabriel, Arana; Allan, Tche Tche, Jair; Hyoran, Hulk, Keno

We say: Ceara 0-2 Atletico Mineiro

Atletico Mineiro's draw with Chapecoense was a reminder that not everything will go their way this season, but we expect them to bounce back and assert their dominance in this game, claiming victory in the process. It could be a tough season for Ceara and we think they will struggle against a side with better quality.