Seeking to pick up back-to-back Serie A home wins for the first time this season, Corinthians play host to Criciuma at the Neo Quimica Arena on Tuesday.
The visitors will head into the game looking to get one over the Time do Povo, having failed to win any of the previous six meetings between the sides since August 2008.
Match preview
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Corinthians continue to struggle for results at the bottom end of the Serie A table as they fell to a 2-0 defeat at the hands of Vasco da Gama when the sides squared off last Wednesday.
Following a goalless first half at the Estadio Sao Januario, full-back Lucas Piton broke the deadlock five minutes after the break to put Vasco da Gama in front before substitute Juan Sforza put the result beyond reach with a 95th-minute strike.
Since claiming three consecutive victories across all competitions in May, Corinthians have managed just one win in 10 matches, claiming four draws and losing five — including three defeats in their four outings in July.
This drop-off in form has seen Raphael Laruccia's men plunge into the bottom half of the Serie A table as they currently occupy 17th position with 12 points from 17 games, just four points above last-placed Fluminense.
After two games on the road, Corinthians will be backing themselves to find their feet on Tuesday as they return home where they are unbeaten in all but one of their 11 matches, picking up six wins and four draws since the start of April.
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On the other hand, Serie A new boys Criciuma were denied back-to-back home wins in the league as they were held to a 1-1 draw by Fluminense at the Estadio Heriberto Hulse on Friday.
Following a relatively uneventful first half, April signing Matheusinho found the back of the net in the 53rd minute to put the hosts ahead but Fluminense teenager Kaua Elias restored parity in the 89th minute to force a share of the pools.
While Criciuma have gone unbeaten in five consecutive home games, they have struggled for results on the road, where they are on a run of four defeats in their last five matches, including a 1-0 loss against Bahia in the Copa do Brasil on April 30.
Claudio Tencati's men have had a decent start to life in the top flight, as they have picked up four wins and five draws from 14 matches to collect 17 points and sit 14th in the table and could move level with 11th-placed Vasco da Gama with a win on Tuesday.
However, next up for Criciuma is the stern challenge of taking on an opposing side whom they have failed to get the better of in each of their last six meetings, losing four and claiming two draws since August 2008.
Team News
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Corinthians will have to cope without the services of 35-year-old defender Fagner, who has been sidelined since picking up a thigh injury back in May.
Ecuadorian defender Diego Palacios sustained a severe injury back in June and the former Los Angeles FC man is out of contention for the Time do Povo.
Brazilian midfielder Ruan Oliveira is yet to feature for Corinthians this year as he continues his lengthy spell on the sidelines and will also play no part in Tuesday's game.
As for Criciuma, 31-year-old defender Jonathan Lemos has missed each of the last four matches since coming off injured against Sao Paulo on June 28 and is ruled out of Tuesday's game.
He is joined on the club's injury table by fellow Brazilian Felipe Vizeu, who has been out of action since picking up a thigh problem against Palmeiras on June 2.
Corinthians possible starting lineup:
Donelli; Matheuzinho, Torres, Caca, Bidu; Raniele, Bidon, Coronado; Romero, Alberto, Wesley
Criciuma possible starting lineup:
Gustavo; Claudinho, Fagundes, Angel, Hermes; Barreto, Newton, Matheusinho, Mateus; Bolasie, Caike
We say: Corinthians 2-1 Criciuma
Corinthians have struggled for results in recent weeks and find themselves scrambling for points at the wrong end of the table. However, Laruccia's men have enjoyed the better of this fixture and we fancy them to see off Criciuma who have lost four of their last five away matches across all competitions since April.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
Joshua Ojele
