Two Brasileiro Serie A sides struggling for form will lock horns at the Estadio Urbano Caldeira on Sunday as Santos play host to Atletico Goianiense.
The hosts have failed to win any of their last seven home games across all competitions, while the visitors have only prevailed in one of their last seven matches on the road.
Match preview
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Santos have been eliminated from the Copa Sudamericana after losing 4-2 on penalties against Venezuelan outfit Deportivo Tachira in the last 16 on Thursday, following a 2-2 draw on aggregate over two legs.
Marcos Leonardo levelled the tie on aggregate with a 69th-minute strike, after Rodrigo Fernandez was shown a straight red card in first-half stoppage time, and the Alvinegro managed to force the tie to penalties with 10 men, but misses from 12 yards by Ricardo Goulart and Lucas Barbosa proved costly.
Fabian Bustos and co will now focus on improving their form in the Brasileiro Serie A, as they have won only one of their last 10 league games.
At an initial glance at the table, one would assume that Santos would have no real concerns of relegation sitting in 10th position, but they are in fact just two points above the drop zone, albeit with 23 games still to play.
Santos will be keen to return to winning ways and climb the top-flight standings, but success on Sunday against Atletico Goianiense is not guaranteed as they have failed to win each of their last four meetings against them and have drawn a blank in front of goal on three of these occasions.
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While Santos suffered defeat on penalties in their Copa Sudamericana knockout tie, Atletico Goianiense progressed to the quarter-finals after winning their shootout 5-3 against Olimpia on Friday, following a 2-2 draw on aggregate over two legs.
The Dragon lost the first leg 2-0 against Olimpa, but two strikes within the first eight minutes of the reverse fixture from Diego Churin and Airton restored parity for the Brazilians before they converted five perfect penalties to progress to the last eight for the first time in their history.
Jorginho's men can look forward to facing Uruguayan side Nacional in the next round on August 3, but they must first prioritise their next six domestic fixtures, including Sunday's clash with Santos.
Goianiense finished ninth in the Brasileiro Serie A last season, but this term they are currently languishing in 16th place, level on points with Goias below them in the relegation zone.
The Dragon's inconsistent form has prevented them from climbing further away from danger, as they have failed to record the same result in consecutive games in any of their last 12 league matches – winning four, drawing three and losing five.
Goianiense, however, will be confident of claiming maximum points on Sunday, as they have won their last two away meetings against Santos by a 1-0 scoreline.
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Team News
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Santos duo Felipe Jonatan and Auro remain doubtful after testing positive for COVID-19 earlier this week, while Kevin Malthus and Madson are both ruled out with muscle injuries.
Fernandez will be available to start despite his Copa Sudamericana dismissal in midweek, and he could retain his place in centre-midfield alongside Vinicius Zanocelo.
Top scorer Leonardo, who has found the net 13 times across all competitions so far this term, has failed to score in his last three league games but is expected to lead the line again, with support provided in attack by Leo Baptistao, Goulart and Lucas Braga.
As for Atletico Goianiense, defender Dudu remains sidelined with an ankle injury, while midfielder Jorginho is doubtful with a thigh problem and will be assessed ahead of kickoff.
A back four of Hayer, Edson, Ramon and Jefferson is set to remain intact, shielding goalkeeper Ronaldo, while Marlon Freitas and Gabriel Baralhas are the two most likely candidates to start in centre-midfield.
In the absence of Jorginho, either Shaylon or Edson Fernando is expected to operate in the number 10 role behind central striker Churin.
Santos possible starting lineup:
Paulo; Kaiky, Maicon, Eduardo, Pires; Fernandez, Zanocelo; Baptistao, Goulart, Braga; Leonardo
Atletico Goianiense possible starting lineup:
Ronaldo; Hayner, Edson, Ramon, Jefferson; Baralhas, Freitas; Airton, Shaylon, Rato; Churin
We say: Santos 1-1 Atletico Goianiense
Both sides will be keen to turn their fortunes around and put together a strong run of form as they bid to climb away from danger.
The visitors have fared better in recent meetings between the two teams, but with little to separate them on this occasion, a score draw could be on the cards.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
Top tip
Oliver Thomas
