Preview: Juventude vs. America Mineiro - prediction, team news, lineups

Looking to rise into the Copa Sudamericana places in the Campeonato Brasileiro Serie A standings, Juventude play host to America Mineiro at the Estadio Alfredo Jaconi on Saturday.

The visitors, meanwhile, head into the game off the back of an impressive win over Palmeiras and will be looking to keep the juggernaut rolling.

Match preview

© Reuters

Juventude saw their run of two games without defeat come to an end last Wednesday courtesy of a 3-1 defeat at the hands of Sport Recife.

In a pulsating affair at the Ilha do Retiro Stadium, Ze Welison, Mikael and Chico netted to put the Leao three goals up before Sao Paulo loanee Paulinho Boia grabbed a consolation goal from the spot in the 80th minute.

Prior to that, Juve cruised to a comfortable 3-0 win over Santos on September 26, before forcing a share of the spoils versus Palmeiras one week later.

Marquinhos Santos's side have now managed just one win from their most recent nine league outings and that poor run of results sees them occupy 15th place in the Serie A table.

While they will be looking to end the dry spell this weekend, they take on an opposing side who are unbeaten in five of the last six encounters between the sides, picking up three wins and two draws.

America Mineiro, on the other hand, made it two wins from two last time out when they edged out Palmeiras 2-1 at the Arena Independencia.

Patric cancelled out Rony's first-half opener in the 73rd minute before Ademir converted his 93rd-minute spot kick to complete the comeback and condemn Abel Ferreira's side to a second defeat in four games.

Prior to that, Vagner Mancini's men claimed a 2-0 win at Cuiaba, where Mauro Zarate and Ademir scored in either half to end their run of three consecutive draws.

America Mineiro, who are currently 10th on the log, head into Saturday's game unbeaten in their last seven outings, claiming four wins and three draws since a 2-0 loss to Bragantino on August 24.

Team News

© Reuters

Juventude will remain without the services of Brazilian midfielder Elton, who trudged off the pitch with a muscle injury on the stroke of half time in July's game against Internacional.

On the back of his side's poor display against Sport Recife last time out, Santos will consider tinkering his starting XI this weekend, meaning Boia could return to the fold for his 15th start of the season.

Despite his side's struggles, veteran forward Ricardo Bueno has been on song for Juve Papo, netting five times in his last seven outings, and the 34-year-old will be one to look out for in this one.

America Mineiro, on the other hand, will take to the pitch without Orlando Berrio, who came off injured against Athletico Paranaense back in September.

Eduardo is also out of contention for this weekend's tie as the Brazilian defender is currently recuperating from an injury he sustained against Sport Recife back in July.

Juventude possible starting lineup:

Friedrich; Macedo, Quintero, Mendes, Matheus; Sorriso, Castilho, Jadson, Dawhan, Capixaba; Roberson

America Mineiro possible starting lineup:

Cavichioli; Lopes, Silva, Patric, Bauermann; Ale, Kal, Zarate; Azavedo, Ademir, Daniel

We say: Juventude 1-1 America Mineiro

Juventude head into the game in a poor run of results, claiming one win from their last nine outings, and next up is the daunting task of taking on an in-form American Mineiro side who are unbeaten in their last seven outings and have lost just once in the last 12.

However, we predict the spoils will be shared in this one as the visitors have struggled to get going on the road this season, picking up two wins from their 11 games.