Palmeiras will be hoping to break their four-game losing streak when they host Atletico Mineiro in the Brasileiro. In an effort to triumph in their first meeting with Palmeiras since August 2021, the visitors are also hoping to make up for their previous loss.
Preview (Palmeiras vs. Atletico Mineiro)
Palmeiras’ chances of defending their Brasileiro title have suffered a serious setback recently as a result of their 11-point loss from a possible 15 and their three consecutive league defeats to Gremio, Bragantino, and Santos. Abel Ferreira’s team will have found it difficult to accept losses to top-four rivals Gremio and Bragantino. A recent 2-1 home defeat to a struggling Santos team added insult to injury. It was compounded with a heartbreaking penalty shootout loss to Boca Juniors in the Copa Libertadores.
The Big Green are only holding onto fourth place by goal differential. If they lose on Thursday, they might fall as low as ninth if other results go against them. With 12 games left, they are 12 points behind league leaders Botafogo. They have drawn eight times in their previous ten encounters with Atletico Mineiro in all competitions. Palmeiras will be confident that they can halt the losing streak on Thursday. Ferreira and company will be eager to improve their home performance since they have only won four of their past ten games there, despite the fact that all four of those wins have come in their last five top-flight games, barring the aforementioned loss to Santos.
Atletico Mineiro, like Palmeiras, enters Thursday’s match with a loss after losing 2-1 to Coritiba at home. It ended their three-game winning streak in the Brasileiro. Galo was on track to win all three points when Hulk scored just before the hour mark. Coritiba changed the outcome with goals from Matheus Bianqui and Islam Slimani. The latter of whom scored the game’s winning goal to hand the hosts their eighth league loss of the season. The team led by Luiz Felipe Scolari now sits ninth in the standings this year, three points behind Palmeiras. The team won the Brasileiro title in 2021 and finished seventh the previous season.
Team News
Dudu and Eduard Atuesta, who have been absent for an extended period of time due to cruciate ligament injuries, are still sidelined for Palmeiras. Mayke, Gustavo Gomez, Murilo, and Joaquin Piquerez will make up the back four. Endrick, a 17-year-old forward who will sign with Real Madrid in 2024, has eight goals so far this season. He may continue to play on the right side of the attack. He will line up behind Rony in the center of the field with Raphael Veiga and Breno Lopes.
Igor Gomes is anticipated to keep playing at number 10, with Hulk and former Bayer Leverkusen forward Paulinho, who have combined for 45 goals in all competitions so far this season, expected to be joined in attack by either Cristian Pavon or Pedrinho. Jemerson, meanwhile, might take Bruno Fuchs’ or Mauricio Lemos’ place at center-back.
With no more than one goal scored in five of the previous seven head-to-heads, there hasn’t been much to separate Palmeiras and Atletico Mineiro in recent meetings, and another close game could be in store on Thursday. Both clubs will be eager to win again in order to increase their chances of finishing in the top four, but because neither team is at full strength, they could have to settle with a tie in Sao Paulo.
Palmeiras 1 – 1 Atletico Mineiro
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