Prediction: Atletico Mineiro vs Vasco da Gama

Verdict: Draw

Best odds: 13/5

Bookmaker: ZetBet

Atletico Mineiro and Vasco da Gama are separated by two places in the Brasileiro standings as they prepare to face off at Arena MRV on Sunday in round 18.

The home side could overtake their in-form visitors by securing all three points, but that will be a challenging task against a team that has remained unbeaten for nearly a month.

Atletico Mineiro

After losing two consecutive games, avoiding defeat in back-to-back matches should be seen as progress for Gabriel Milito’s men.

A 2-1 win over Sao Paulo last weekend and a 1-1 draw with Juventude midweek suggest a positive turnaround, and Milito hopes his players can maintain these improved levels against an in-form Vasco.

The Argentine was undoubtedly pleased to end a five-match winless streak at home with the victory over Sao Paulo, and the hosts are now aiming for consecutive league wins at their home ground for the first time since late 2023.

There has been no clear pattern to Galo’s results this season, with five victories, seven draws, and four losses highlighting the home side’s inconsistency since Milito replaced Luiz Felipe Scolari in March.

Atletico Mineiro head into Sunday’s encounter eager to display their best form against an opponent that has secured four straight victories.

Team News

Rodrigo Battaglia was suspended for the match against Juventude but is back in contention for a start on Sunday.

Guilherme Arana received a booking on Thursday that rules him out for Sunday’s match as he serves a ban.

Junior Alonso will be monitored after seeming to sustain an injury late in the game against Juventude, potentially joining Everson (finger), Matias Zaracho (groin), Mariano (thigh), Mauricio Lemos (muscle), and Alisson Santana (ankle) on the treatment table.

Vasco da Gama

Vasco may have taken a circuitous route, but returning to Rafael Paiva after the failed tenure of Alvaro Pacheco is proving beneficial, with the caretaker manager overseeing their current winning streak.

Cruzmaltino are undefeated in five matches, securing four wins, and this streak is underpinned by a solid defense that has kept clean sheets against Fortaleza (2-0), Corinthians (2-0), and Atletico Goianiense (1-0).

The shutout against Atletico Goianiense marked Vasco’s first road clean sheet of the season and their second consecutive away victory after initially losing six straight away matches at the season’s start.

While keeping another clean sheet may not be Paiva’s primary goal this weekend, achieving a third consecutive road victory certainly is a feat Vasco haven’t accomplished since 2012 when they defeated Fluminense (2-1), Portuguesa (1-0), and Bahia (2-1).

Although Vasco cannot climb higher than eighth place this weekend, a loss would see them overtaken by their opponents.

Team News

Philippe Coutinho, a recent addition to Vasco, is not expected to participate in the upcoming match as he is still working on his fitness and adjusting to the tactical approach of his new team.

The visitors will also be without Dimitri Payet (thigh), Guilherme Estrella, Joao Victor, and Paulinho Paula (all with knee injuries).

Conclusion

With Milito’s men facing several defensive absences, the outcome of Sunday’s match will hinge on how quickly the hosts adapt to the Argentine’s adjustments.

The visitors are likely to secure a point at Arena MRV, extending their unbeaten streak against Mineiro to four matches.

Verdict: Draw

Best odds: 13/5

Bookmaker: ZetBet