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Cuiaba
Brasileiro | Gameweek 18
Jul 21, 2022 at 11pm UK
 
Atletico Mineiro

Cuiaba
1 - 1
Atletico Mineiro

Pirani (90+9')
Camilo (66')
FT(HT: 0-0)
Kardec (90+4')
Pavon (58'), Mohamed (90+9')

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

Sports Mole previews Thursday's Brasileiro clash between Cuiaba and Atletico Mineiro, including predictions, team news and possible lineups.

With their sights set on moving to the summit of the Campeonato Brasileiro Serie A table, Atletico Mineiro will travel to Cuiaba on Thursday in search of a second straight victory.

The visitors currently find themselves two points behind league leaders Palmeiras, while their hosts are just a point above the drop zone.


Match preview

Atletico Mineiro's Ignacio Fernandez celebrates scoring their first goal with teammates on February 20, 2022© Reuters

After avoiding relegation last season, Cuiaba had to endure a tough start to the new Brasileiro campaign, picking up just 13 points from their opening 14 games.

That meant the Dourado found themselves in the bottom four, but they were then able to put an end to a four-game winless run with a 2-1 away victory over Avai, thanks to goals from Valdivia and Joaquim Henrique.

Looking to build on that with a second straight triumph, Antonio Oliveira's side took on another newly-promoted team and triumphed with a 2-0 win at home to Botafogo, with Alesson and Andre Luis getting on the scoresheet.

They were unable to make it three on the bounce last time out, though, as a tough test away at league leaders Palmeiras finished in a 1-0 defeat, with Gabriel Veron's goal making the difference.

While the Dourado will be pleased having jumped out of the relegation zone, they do remain just a point above the bottom four and will hope to increase their cushion with a positive result on Thursday.

Atletico Mineiro players celebrate with the trophy after winning the final on February 20, 2022© Reuters

That will be no easy task, though, as the league's second-placed team arrive hoping to reclaim top spot.

After winning the league title last season, Atletico Mineiro had to endure a relatively slow start to the new top-flight term by their own standards, and they found themselves off the pace with 16 points from their first 12 outings.

Antonio Mohamed's side appear to have hit their stride in the last month, though, firstly putting an end to a four-game winless run with a 2-0 beating of Flamengo, before making it back-to-back three-point hauls as they narrowly defeated Fortaleza 3-2.

They were followed by a 2-1 win away at Juventude, thanks to goals from Hulk and Eduardo Sasha, before they triumphed over Emelec to reach the Copa Libertadores quarter-finals and had to settle for a point from a goalless stalemate with Sao Paulo.

Now on the back of a 1-0 win away at Botafogo, with Matias Zaracho hitting the decisive goal, the Alvinegro sit just two points behind Palmeiras at the summit of the top flight, and they will aim to leapfrog the Verdao with what would be a fifth win in six league outings.

Cuiaba Brasileiro form:
  • L
  • D
  • L
  • W
  • W
  • L

Atletico Mineiro Brasileiro form:
  • D
  • W
  • W
  • W
  • D
  • W

Atletico Mineiro form (all competitions):
  • D
  • W
  • W
  • D
  • L
  • W


Team News

Atletico Mineiro's Hulk celebrates scoring their first goal on November 28, 2021© Reuters

Goals have been spread out through the Cuiaba squad in the league so far this season, with no standout scorer, but veteran Rodriguinho remains a key man in attack and should continue to lead the line.

He will again be flanked by dangerous wingers Valdivia and Alesson in Oliveira's preferred 3-4-3 setup.

Marllon has virtually been an ever-present in the Brasileiro thus far and will again form a key part of the back three with Alan Empereur also set to keep his place.

Atletico Mineiro's attack will again be spearheaded by star man Hulk, who has netted seven league goals so far this term after hitting the net 19 times in their title-winning campaign last time around.

There is plenty of competition for the remaining spots in the front line, with Chilean veteran Eduardo Vargas vying to start as well as the likes of Matias Zaracho and Nacho Fernandez.

Further back, Allan and Jair should again operate at the base of midfield, shielding Mohamed's back four.

Cuiaba possible starting lineup:
Walter; Marllon, Henrique, Empereur; Lucas, Gava, Osorio, Igor; Alesson, Rodriguinho, Valdivia

Atletico Mineiro possible starting lineup:
Everson; Mariano, Rabello, Alonso, Arana; Jair, Allan; Zaracho, Fernandez, Vargas; Hulk


SM words green background

We say: Cuiaba 0-2 Atletico Mineiro

While Cuiaba have certainly shown encouraging signs recently, putting together back-to-back wins and pushing the league leaders close, we do not see them having enough to match the defending champions on Thursday.

With their sights set on top spot, Atletico Mineiro will be keen to post another three-point haul and should outclass their hosts.

For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.


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Written by
Sam Varley

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Game History

How you voted: Cuiaba vs Atletico Mineiro

Cuiaba
6.3%
Draw
15.6%
Atletico Mineiro
78.1%
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rhs 2.0
Today's games header
Tables header RHS
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Botafogo382310559293079
2PalmeirasPalmeiras38227960332773
3FlamengoFlamengo382010861421970
4FortalezaFortaleza381911853391468
5InternacionalInternacional381811953361765
6Sao Paulo381781353431059
7Corinthians381511125445956
8Bahia38158154949053
9Cruzeiro381410144341252
10Vasco da GamaVasco38148164356-1350
11Vitoria38138174552-747
12Atletico Mineiro381114134754-747
13Fluminense381210163339-646
14Gremio38129174450-645
15JuventudeJuventude381112154859-1145
16BragantinoBragantino381014144448-444
17Athletico ParanaenseAthletico PR38119184046-642
18CriciumaCriciuma38911184261-1938
19Atletico GoianienseAtletico GO3879222958-2930
20Cuiaba38612202949-2030


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