Still struggling near the bottom of the Campeonato Brasileiro, Juventude welcome Goias to Estadio Alfredo Jaconi on Sunday.

The teams both dwell in the bottom half of the Serie A standings, but the visitors sit eight points clear of their hosts after last week's win over top-six side Athletico Paranaense.

Match preview

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Having narrowly avoided the drop in 2021, Juventude's aim for the current campaign is similar, but they occupy 19th place in the Brazilian top flight with the halfway point fast approaching.

After 16 rounds of the 38-game Serie A season, the side from Rio Grande do Sul languish in the drop zone, following a seven-match winless streak stretching back to early June.

Juve's latest failure to claim maximum points came at Coritiba last weekend, as they let a two-goal lead slip at Estadio Couto Pereira; rendering goals from Paulo Henrique and Ricardo Bueno - the latter's from the penalty spot - only good enough for a 2-2 draw.

Defensive deficiencies continue to plague the Alviverde, and Umberto Louzer's men hold the division's worst record in that regard, with 28 goals conceded so far - they also score at a rate of less than one per game themselves.

In fact, Louzer has yet to win as Juventude boss, and his new club last tasted victory against Fluminense, over a month ago, when predecessor Eduardo Baptista was still in charge.

Juve are therefore six points from safety, but a long-awaited win on Sunday would help edge them closer to their latest opponents, who they last met in Serie B, back in 2018.

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When these clubs last convened at Estadio Alfredo Jaconi, four years ago, Goias emerged victorious from an eight-goal thriller, but they have since experienced both promotion and demotion amid a turbulent period at the club.

The side from Goiania have made a commendable start to life back in the elite, but remain just two points clear of danger despite an unexpected win last week.

Last Saturday's success against potential title contenders Athletico Paranaense saw the Esmeraldino move up from 17th to 12th in the tightly-packed Serie A standings.

Since drawing the away leg of their Copa do Brasil derby with Atletico Goianiense at the end of last month, Goias had enjoyed an upturn in fortunes; however, Wednesday's return leg certainly put a sharp halt to that.

Jair Ventura's men have won two of their three Brasileiro fixtures but were crushed 3-0 at home by their local rivals - losing by the same score on aggregate and missing out on a spot in the quarter-finals.

Returning to league duty this weekend, then, they must shake off such a stinging setback, and seek just their third away win of the season.

Team News

With another week free to implement his ideas, due to an early cup exit, Juventude coach Umberto Louzer has been trying out a three-man back line during training, as he seeks a solution to his team's defensive woes.

With centre-back Vitor Mendes now recovered from a muscular injury, the hosts may therefore switch to such a shape on Sunday, while midfielder Marlon is also back in action this weekend.

Though Bruno Nazario has arrived on loan from Vasco da Gama, he will not be able to make his debut until after the reopening of the Brazilian transfer window on Monday.

Though regular starters Fellipe Bastos and Yan Souto were among the Goias players to receive heavy criticism for their role in the club's cup loss in midweek, coach Jair Ventura may still keep a relatively settled side given recent performances in the Brasileiro.

Another option would be for Vinicius to take the place of Nicolas up front, alongside star striker Pedro Raul, after the latter decided to stay at Estadio da Serrinha. On loan from Kashiwa Reysol, the 25-year-old recently turned down a move to another J-League side, Nagoya Grampus, and with eight league goals is Serie A's third-top scorer this term.

Meanwhile, full-back Apodi has only just returned to individual training after a muscular injury, so joins Marcelo Rosa (calf) on the sidelines.

Juventude possible starting lineup:
Cesar; Kelven, Forster, Mendes; Alves, Jean, Jadson, Marlon, Henrique; Ruiz, Bueno

Goias possible starting lineup:
Tadeu; Souto, Reynaldo, Caetano; Diego, Caio, Sales, Bastos, Danilo; Vinicius, Raul

We say: Juventude 1-1 Goias

Goias have found the net just six times on the road; Juventude seven at home, so a low-scoring draw could be on the cards. As Juve have only one win and five points on the board at Estadio Alfredo Jaconi, home advantage is not likely to be a factor in the result.

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