Preview: Coritiba vs Corinthians - prediction, team news, lineups

Coritiba host Corinthians at Couto Pereira on Sunday in the 24th round of the Brazilian Championship, with just one point separating the two sides in the standings.

Coxa will be looking to end more than a decade without a home victory over their opponents, while the visitors arrive in Curitiba having secured their place in the Copa Libertadores quarter-finals but facing the challenge of dealing with a congested schedule.

Match preview

Coritiba currently sit 10th in the Brazilian Championship with 31 points from 23 matches and are looking for greater consistency as they attempt to establish themselves comfortably in mid-table.

Coxa drew 1-1 away to Sao Paulo in their previous league outing, a result that ended a difficult run of just one victory in their previous five matches, and they will now return to Couto Pereira hoping to rediscover the home form that helped them climb the standings earlier in the campaign.

Recent results on home soil have been mixed, with Coritiba beating Chapecoense 2-1 but subsequently suffered defeats against Cruzeiro and Palmeiras, leaving them with a clear need to turn their home advantage into points more consistently.

There is also a significant psychological hurdle to overcome on Sunday, as the hosts have not beaten Corinthians at Couto Pereira since 2011, although they can take confidence from their performance in the reverse fixture this season, when they secured an impressive 2-0 victory at Neo Quimica Arena.

Corinthians, meanwhile, sit ninth with 32 points and will see Sunday's fixture as an opportunity to move closer to the teams competing for continental qualification.

Fernando Diniz's side arrive in a positive mood after beating Rosario Central 1-0 on Thursday to book their place in the quarter-finals of the Copa Libertadores.

The victory provided a welcome response following their defeat to Cruzeiro and ensured that Corinthians remain involved in the latter stages of South America's premier club competition.

The biggest concern ahead of the trip to Curitiba is fatigue, as the visitors have had less than 48 hours between their Libertadores commitments and Sunday's league fixture, leaving Diniz with difficult decisions over selection and rotation.

The head-to-head record also favours the visitors, having won 27 of the 52 previous competitive meetings, compared with 14 victories for Coritiba and 11 draws.

However, Coritiba have already demonstrated this season that they can trouble Corinthians, and their ability to exploit spaces during transitions could prove particularly important if the visitors' physical levels drop following their midweek exertions.

Coritiba Brasileiro form:

Coritiba form (all competitions):

Corinthians Brasileiro form:

Corinthians form (all competitions):

Team News

Coritiba have several important absences to contend with. Right-back Tinga remains sidelined with a left thigh injury, while Pedro Rangel, Lucas Ronier and Brian Ocampo have also been ruled out.

Jacy could therefore move back into the defensive line, while midfielder Josue is available again after recovering from muscular discomfort and training normally.

Corinthians will be without Rodrigo Garro, who is suspended after picking up his third yellow card, while Andre Carrillo is expected to take over the central playmaking role.

The visitors also have an extensive injury list, with Yuri Alberto, Andre Ramalho, Kayke Ferrari, Zakaria Labyad and Vitinho all unavailable.

Memphis Depay is therefore likely to carry much of the attacking responsibility, with his ability to drift between the lines potentially crucial against a Coritiba defence that can be vulnerable when opponents transition quickly.

Coritiba possible starting lineup:

Morisco; Chermont, Coser, Jacy, Melo; Santos, Gomez, Josue; Lavega, Lopes, Rocha

Corinthians possible starting lineup:

Souza; Matheuzinho, Paulista, Henrique, Bidu; Raniele, Carrillo, Allan, Bidon; Depay, Cesar

We say: Coritiba 1-2 Corinthians

Corinthians' greater control of possession and superior attacking quality should allow them to dictate long periods of the contest, although their demanding schedule could prevent them from operating at full intensity.

This should be a competitive encounter, but the visiting side’s individual quality and greater experience in high-pressure matches should ultimately prove decisive.

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