In a warm-up for the upcoming Copa Libertadores final at the end of the month, Atletico Mineiro are set to take on fellow finalists Botafogo in the Brasileiro on Tuesday.
The hosts are 10th in the league table with 42 points from 33 matches, while the visitors are top of the standings with 68 points from their 38 games.
Match preview
© Imago
Atletico Mineiro have had a largely underwhelming season in the Brasileiro, sitting 10th in the table with just 42 points after 33 matches, having won 10, drawn 12 and lost 11.
That puts them on track for their lowest league finish since 2019, when they placed 13th, following subsequent seasons with third, first, seventh, and third-placed standings.
Despite the struggles in the Brasileiro, Atletico Mineiro have progressed into the final of the Copa Libertadores, a competition they will be aiming to win for just the second time in their history when they take on Botafogo at the end of the month.
Gabriel Milito will be looking for his side to improve their current form before heading into that final, with Atletico Mineiro currently without a victory in their last seven outings, losing five and drawing two in that time.
However, a matchup with league-leading Botafogo could prove another difficult task for Milito's men, with the visitors heading into this game having avoided defeat in their last 11 league matches.
Botafogo currently top the Brasileiro standings with 68 points from 33 matches, from 20 wins, eight draws and five defeats, meaning they hold a four-point lead over second-placed Palmeiras.
Artur Jorge will be hoping to continue his team's strong run of results in their final five league matches, including a crucial game against Palmeiras, as he looks to deliver Botafogo's first Brasileiro Serie A title since 1995.
The visitors have already presented their dominance over Atletico Mineiro this season, comfortably defeating Thursday's hosts 3-0 in the reverse fixture, and they will be looking to replicate that result here before facing them once again in the Copa Libertadores final later this month.
Team News
© Imago
The hosts are expected to be without the services of Cadu, Federico Zaracho and Guilherme Arana for this match due to ongoing injury issues, though all three are likely to return for the final at the end of the month.
Elsewhere, Milito could make a number of changes to the team that disappointingly continued their winless run with a 1-0 loss to Athletico Paranaense last time out.
As for the visitors, Rafael is expected to be the only absentee for this match as he continues his recovery from a knee injury that he is expected to return from later this month.
Despite failing to score against Cuiaba last time out, Botafogo were extremely dominant, holding 74% possession and taking 28 shots to Cuiaba's four, a performance that could mean Jorge decides to name the same team here.
Atletico Mineiro possible starting lineup:
Everson; Mariano, Battaglia, Lyanco; Scarpa, Vera, Otavio, Paulinho; Hulk, Bernard; Deyverson
Botafogo possible starting lineup:
Victor; Vitinho, Bastos, Barboza, Telles; Gregore, Freitas; Henrique, Savarino, Almada; Jesus
We say: Atletico Mineiro 0-2 Botafogo
The hosts are experiencing a dismal run of results heading into this game, without a win in their last seven, while the visitors are without a league defeat in their last 11, leading us to believe Botafogo will win here.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
Ellis Stevens
