Athletico Paranaense and Internacional will get the ball rolling in round 17 of the Brasileiro Serie A when they go head to head at the Arena da Baixada on Saturday.
The game has all the makings of a proper and nerve-racking contest as both sides head into the weekend separated by just one point and three places in the upper echelons of the table.
Match preview
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Athletico Paranaense confirmed their place in the quarter-finals of the Copa do Brasil on Wednesday when they claimed a 2-1 second-leg victory over second-tier side Bahia.
Brazilian midfielder Erick struck in the 78th minute to cancel out Matheus Davo's first-half opener before substitute Romulo scored a dramatic 94th-minute winner to complete the turnaround.
Athletico Paranaense now turn their sights to the Brasileiro Serie A where they were sent crashing down to earth last weekend courtesy of a 2-1 loss away to Goias.
Prior to that, Felipe Scolari's men were on a nine-game unbeaten run in the league, picking up six wins and three draws while scoring 16 goals and conceding eight in that time.
With 27 points from 16 games, the Rubro-Negro are currently sixth in the Serie A standings, one point and three places adrift of Saturday's visitors.
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On the other hand, Internacional continued their charge to the top of the pile last time out when they picked up a hard-fought 1-0 victory over America Mineiro on home turf.
In a one-sided affair at the Estadio Jose Pinheiro Borda, 27-year-old defender Moises came up clutch for the hosts as he scored a last-gasp winner in the 95th minute to hand Vagner Mancini's side their eighth loss of the season.
Prior to that, the Colorado progressed to the quarter-finals of the Copa Sudamericana in dramatic fashion as they claimed a 4-1 second-leg victory over Colo Colo, overturning their 2-0 defeat in the reverse fixture.
Mano Menezes's side head into the weekend unbeaten in each of their last seven away games in the Serie A, claiming three wins and four draws since a 2-0 loss against Atletico Mineiro in the season opener on April 10.
While Internacional could go top of the standings with all three points this weekend, they have failed to win any of their last seven away games against Athletico Paranaense, losing five and claiming two draws since their 1-0 victory back in 2014.
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Team News
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Scolari will have to make do with the absence of Christian, who is set to sit out his fourth game on the bounce after coming off injured against Palmeiras on July 3.
The duo of Thiago Heleno and 21-year-old Julimar are also out of contention for Athletico Paranaense as they continue their journey to full fitness after sustaining long-term injuries.
David Terans put on a show last time as he set up both goals in the cup victory over Bahia and the Uruguay international, who boasts seven goal involvements in the Serie A, should spearhead the attack once again.
On the other hand, Internacional's injury list is heftier by comparison as the likes of Alan Patrick, Fabricio Bustos, Alexandre Alemao and Rene all continue their spells on the sidelines.
Brazilian youngster Estevao also misses out after recently testing positive for COVID-19, while 21-year-old midfielder Bruno Gomes is currently recuperating from a dislocated elbow.
Krasnodar loanee Wanderson Marciel has missed five games on the trot due to a thigh injury and the Brazilian forward is also expected to sit out this weekend's encounter.
Athletico Paranaense possible starting lineup:
Bento; Orejuela, Felipe, Henrique, Vinicius; Fernandes, Carvalho; Cuello, Bueno, Canobbio; Roque
Internacional possible starting lineup:
Daniel; Heitor, Mercado, Moledo, Moises; Gabriel, Edenilson; De Pena, Henrique, David; Taison
We say: Athletico Paranaense 2-1 Internacional
Given the gap between Athletico Paranaense and Internacional in the standings, we expect a thrilling contest with both sides taking the game to each other in search of all three points. However, Scolari's side are unbeaten in seven straight home games against the Colorado and we are backing them to keep this run going by claiming a slender win this weekend.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
