Following a goalless first leg, Goias and local rivals Atletico Goianiense reconvene on Wednesday, both seeking a place in the Copa do Brasil quarter-finals.

Separated by just three points in the Campeonato Brasileiro, the teams from Goias State meet at Estadio da Serrinha to conclude their last-16 tie.

Match preview

Goias head coach Jair Ventura pictured on May 21, 2022 © Reuters

Since drawing the away leg of their Copa do Brasil derby at the end of last month, Goias have enjoyed an upturn in fortunes as they continue their quest to avoid a relegation fight.

Jair Ventura's side have won two of their last three Brasileiro fixtures, after victories over Cuiaba and Athletico Paranaense in the past fortnight sandwiched a 1-0 away loss to America-MG.

Saturday's 2-1 win over high-flying Athletico saw the Esmeraldino move up from 17th to 12th in the tightly-packed Serie A standings, though they sit just two points above the drop zone and three clear of their rivals from Goianiense.

Nonetheless, Goias had taken maximum points from only one of their previous seven league games, so this recent run represents some of their best form of the 2022 campaign so far.

Reaching the cup quarter-finals at their old foes' expense would help keep momentum growing for Ventura's men in midweek, having made the fourth round for the first time since 2018 by edging past Bragantino with a dramatic 9-8 penalty shootout success.

Cuiaba coach Jorginho reacts on October 17, 2021 © Reuters

Atletico Goianiense also had to keep their nerve in the third round, as they too required spot-kicks to progress - eliminating Cuiaba 5-3 on penalties after a 1-1 aggregate draw.

Last week, Jorginho's side qualified for the last eight of the Copa Sudamericana in a similar manner, having fought back from a two-goal deficit against Paraguay's Olimpia to force a shootout, which they subsequently won 5-3.

An enticing encounter with Uruguayan outfit Nacional awaits in the next round, set for early August, but Atletico must first prioritise their upcoming domestic fixtures, including Wednesday's decider against Goias.

Advancing past this stage of the Copa has proven a tough hurdle for Dragao to overcome, though, as they have not made the quarter-finals of Brazil's national knockout tournament since 2010.

Languishing in the Brasileiro's bottom four, Atletico's winless away run was extended to four matches at the weekend, as they were beaten 1-0 at Santos - all of which leaves them with their work cut out to claim a place in the cup quarter-finals.

Goias Copa do Brasil form:

Goias form (all competitions):

Atletico Goianiense Copa do Brasil form:

Atletico Goianiense form (all competitions):

Team News

Though midfield regular Elvis recently departed the club, after having his contract terminated by mutual consent, Goias coach Jair Ventura can still turn to star striker Pedro Raul on Wednesday, following the latter's decision to stay at Serrinha.

On loan from Kashiwa Reysol, the 25-year-old has turned down a move to fellow J-League side Nagoya Grampus, and with eight league goals, he is Serie A's third-top scorer this term.

Now that Elvis has left the building, Fellipe Bastos should start in central midfield, running the engine room in a probable 3-4-2-1 formation for the hosts, whose injury list features Marcelo Rosa (calf) and Matheus Santos (ACL).

Atletico's head coach, meanwhile, has namesake Jorginho back at his disposal after making a quick recovery from a thigh injury.

Right-back Dudu remains doubtful, though, due to an ankle problem, so Hayner starts again in the visitors' back four.

Marlon Freitas and Gabriel Baralhas are most likely to start in central midfield, with Jorginho occupying a role in behind lone striker Diego Churin, currently on loan at the club from Gremio.

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

Atletico Goianiense possible starting lineup:
Ronaldo; Hayner, Ramon, Wanderson, Jefferson; Baralhas, Freitas; Airton, Jorginho, Rato; Churin

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We say: Goias 1-2 Atletico Goianiense (Atletico-GO win 2-1 on aggregate)

Despite their underwhelming away form and troubles in the league, Atletico are on a good run in cup football and can come out on top in this Copa do Brasil derby.

Fighting back to progress in the Copa Sudamericana should bolster their confidence, and Goias are not the most secure side defensively.

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Top tip

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