Seeking to pick up a third consecutive home victory in the Brasileiro Serie A, Goias play host to Fluminense at the Estadio da Serrinha on Wednesday.
The Fluzao, on the other hand, head into the game unbeaten in each of their last eight outings across all competitions and will look to keep the juggernaut rolling.
Match preview
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Goias continued to struggle for results on the road as they were held to a goalless draw by rock-bottom Juventude at the Estadio Alfredo Jaconi last Sunday.
Jair Ventura's men have now failed to win any of their last five away games across all competitions, picking up two draws and losing twice since a 2-1 victory at Botafogo on June 7.
However, Goias will fancy their chances of bouncing back to winning ways as they return home, where they have won each of their last two outings in the league, seeing off Cuiaba and Athletico Paranaense respectively.
With 21 points from 17 games, the Big Green are currently 13th in the Brasileiro Serie A standings, level on points with Botafogo, Avai and Ceara.
Next up is the stern test of taking on an opposing side who won both home and away meetings between the teams last season and are unbeaten in 14 of their previous 20 encounters since 2008.
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Elsewhere, Fluminense maintained their fine run of results as they came from behind to salvage a 2-2 draw against Sao Paulo at the Cicero Pompeu de Toledo Stadium on Sunday.
Luciano and Patrick scored in an eight-minute spell to cancel out Andre's 25th-minute opener and put the Tricolor Paulista ahead but Manoel netted in the 64th minute to force a share of the spoils.
Prior to that, Fernando Diniz's men were on a run of six consecutive wins across all competitions, including a 3-0 victory over Serie B side Cruzeiro on July 13 which confirmed their place in the quarter-finals of the Copa do Brasil.
The Fluzao are now unbeaten in each of their most recent eight outings across all competitions, stretching back to a 2-0 home defeat at the hands of Atletico Goianiense on June 11.
Fluminense have picked up eight wins, four draws and lost five of their 17 league games to collect 28 points and sit fifth in the Serie A standings, three points off Atletico Mineiro at the top of the pile.
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Team News
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Goias will be without the services of the midfield duo of Sidimar and Matheus Santos, who are recuperating from Achilles injuries respectively.
Veteran goalkeeper Marcelo Rangel is a doubt for the hosts as the 34-year-old continues his long journey to full fitness after suffering a severe calf problem last year.
Thirty-five-year-old defender Apodi is also set to sit out his 11th consecutive game after coming off with a muscle problem in June's game against Botafogo.
As for Fluminense, Diniz will be unable to call upon the services of David Braz, who has been sidelined after picking up a thigh problem against Athletico Goianense back in April.
German Cano has been a standout performer for the visitors this season, scoring 10 of the Fluzao's 24 goals so far, and we expect the 34-year-old to spearhead the attack once again.
Goias possible starting lineup:
Tadeu; Souto, Caetano, Reynaldo; Diego, Vinicius, Sales, Silva; Maguinho, Belmonte, Raul
Fluminense possible starting lineup:
Fabio; Xavier, Nino, Manoel, Paulista; Andre, Martinelli; Martins, Ganso, Arias; Cano
We say: Goias 1-2 Fluminense
Fluminense have enjoyed a solid campaign so far and head into Wednesday unbeaten in their last eight outings. The Fluzao completed the league double over the hosts last term and we are backing them to come away with all three points once again.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
Joshua Ojele
