Prediction: Atletico PR vs Corinthians

Verdict: Atletico PR over 1.75 goals

Best odds: 34/25

Bookmaker: ZetBet

Looking for their 6th win of the season in Serie A, Atletico Paranaense hosts struggling Corinthians. The match will be played on Sunday Night at Ligga Arena, where the local team enjoyed great success this season.

Atletico PR

Following a strong start of the current campaign which saw Atletico Paranaense making a title statement in the opening game of the Seria A by demolishing Cuiaba 4-0, the hosts fell to 3rd position, two points behind leaders Botafogo. However, suffering only two defeats after ten rounds made Atletico PR a strong contender for the Serie A crown.

Furthermore, besides claiming 5 wins in the championship, the hosts are performing at the highest level on the Continent by reaching the knockout phase of the Copa Sudamericana. Although the Brazilian outfit was tipped to claim the top spot in Group E, a last-round home defeat to Ameliano (0-1) allowed the Paraguayan side to finish 1st, one point above the Brazilians.

Despite losing this season’s home games in Copa Sudamericana, Cuca’s team played to perfection in front of their fans in Serie A, keeping an invincibility record after 5 games with four wins and one draw. Although Athletico PR tops the league’s home games chart, playing away didn’t return great results for the Red&Black who won a single game out of five (0-1 at Palmeiras).

Nevertheless, while playing against title contenders Flamengo and Botafogo in four days was a difficult challenge, Atletico PR performed at the highest level by claiming a point in each game following two identical stalemates (1-1 final scores). More so, the hosts dominated leaders Botafogo and were close to claiming the Serie A top spot, but settled eventually with one point after conceding a late goal.

Team News

Centre forward Pablo is serving a one-match ban. Also, Cuca’s team will be without goalkeeper Bento and right winger Augustin Canobbio who were called up to national duties for the upcoming Copa America.

Corinthians

Corinthians’ lack of consistency coupled with carrying out difficult battles at the Continental level dropped the team in Serie A to a relegation spot. Furthermore, the visitors face a difficult challenge ahead of reaching their goal and avoiding the drop. With seven games from 10 matches, Corinthians disappointed their fans by winning a single game in the league. The former FIFA Club World Cup winner’s single league win stems from late April when Antonio Oliveira’s team defeated Fluminense with a no-contest 3-0.

Furthermore, the visitors’ away displays inflicted further pain on their fans after failing to win a single game this term, despite facing accessible opponents. If losing to Flamengo and Internacional came as no surprise, surrendering to Juventude and Bragantino emphasised Corinthian’s problems on the road after failing to score in 4 out of 5 games.

However, despite dropping in the Serie A standings, Antonio Oliveira’s players found some redemption in Copa Sudamericana by reaching the knockout phase after claiming the top spot in Group F with 13 points from six games. It remains to be seen if Antonio Oliveira will prioritise Continental success over surviving in the Serie A, with a tricky relegation battle looming ahead.

Still, with an excellent H2H record of 3 wins one draw and a single defeat at Ligga Arena, The Great Team will be keen to replicate the previous success and take advantage of Atletico PR drop who won a single game from six played across all competitions.

Team News

Antonio Oliveira will have a real headache lining up a competitive team considering the current situation that left him with a low-numbered squad following players’ injuries and suspension on top of the national duties that key figures will embark on in Copa America.

Key factors to consider

• Athletico PR won a single game from their last six
• Despite facing a tough test against title contenders Botafogo and Flamengo, the visitors left the pitch undefeated on both occasions
• The hosts have an excellent record at Ligga Arena in Serie A this season (W4, D1)
• Corinthians failed to win a single game away in Serie A this term (L4, D1)
• The visitors are 17th in the league and are heading towards a fierce relegation battle
• Antonio Oliveira will have major problems lining up a competitive team after many key players are out injured, suspended and called for national duties

Conclusion

Atletico Paranaense are mounting a title charge this season with convincing displays at Ligga Arena. While the visitors will struggle to line up a competitive formation, the hosts are tipped to claim their 6th win in Serie A benefiting from a weakened Corinthians side.

Verdict: Atletico PR over 1.75 goals

Best odds: 34/25

Bookmaker: ZetBet