Prediction: Corinthians vs Criciuma

Verdict: Over 1.5 goals

Best Odds: 2/5

Bookmaker: Dachbet

Desperately seeking a Serie A boost in the early hours of Wednesday, Corinthians will welcome Criciuma to the Heriberto Hulse.

Corinthians

Starting with the hosts, while Corinthians might have opened July with an action-packed 3-2 victory against Vitoria, it appears that was just a minor boost for the Timao. Putting in another downbeat performance last week as they fell to a 2-0 loss at the hands of Vasco, Ramon Diaz’s men have come under a huge amount of scrutiny since opening up the 2024 campaign. At the heart of a Serie A relegation scrap and battling it out in the drop zone, the Sao Paulo-based outfit will have plenty of pressure on their shoulders here. Hit with a routine 3-0 drumming against Cruzeiro on July 7th, the former Al Hilal boss has seen his downbeat squad muster just a single victory from any of their previous 12 consecutive top-flight appearances. With that extended rut stemming all the way back to April 28th, Wednesday’s hosts have also shown some glaring defensive issues.

Team News

Both still dealing with respective long-term injury issues, Corinthians will be unable to call upon the duo of Ruan Oliveira and one-time Wolfsburg defender Fagner in the early hours of Wednesday. However, after serving a one-match suspension against Vasco last week, 26-year-old Rodrigo Garro is free to make a full return here.

Failing to find the net in any of his previous seven appearances across all competitions, former Zenit striker Yuri Alberto could be left out of Diaz’s starting XI in midweek. Still linked with a potential Premier League switch this summer, 19-year-old Wesley will play a leading role at the Heriberto Hulse.

Criciuma

As for the visitors, although Criciuma might have gained a reputation for their rugged approach since making a top-flight return this season, the Tigers are seeking their own recent stability. Suffering last-gasp heartbreak at home against Fluminense last week as they eventually had to settle for a 1-1 stalemate at the Heriberto Hulse, Claudio Tencati’s men have collected just a single victory from any of their previous five Serie A appearances. Signing off June with a 2-1 loss against Sao Paulo, the Santa Catarina-based outfit have also shown some glaring issues on the road. Last seen on their travels slumping to a 2-1 defeat at the hands of Vitoria, Criciuma have lost four of their previous five Serie A showdowns on their travels – a run that stems back to April 27th.

Team News

Still dealing with a recent muscle injury and not making a single Serie A appearance since opening up July, 31-year-old Jonathan remains on the sidelines and will not feature in the early hours of Wednesday. However, aside from the one-time Bahia defender, Diaz’s men have reported a clean bill of health ahead of their trip to the Heriberto Hulse.

Now finding the net in back-to-back Serie A appearances over the past week, former America MG star Matheusinho will partner 24-year-old Newton at the heart of Diaz’s midfield. Yet to open his top-flight account this season, ex-Inter Milan marksmen Eder Citadin will have to settle for a spot on the bench here.

Key Factors to Consider

• When Corinthians and Criciuma last met back in December 2014, Wednesday’s hosts collected a 2-1 victory at the Neo Quimica Arena.
• The Timao have failed to muster a single victory from any of their previous 12 consecutive Serie A appearances – a rut that stems all the way back to April 28th.
• Criciuma have lost four of their previous five away fixtures across all competitions.
• Corinthians have collected just a single clean sheet from any of their last six appearances at the Neo Quimica Arena.
• Each of Criciuma’s last four matchups outside of Santa Catarina have finished with both teams finding the net.

Conclusion

At the heart of a Serie A relegation scrap and continuing to show a string of glaring issues since opening up the 2024 campaign, Corinthians face what is a must-win showdown here. However, shipping at least a pair of goals in all of their previous four top-flight appearances, Wednesday’s hosts have gained a reputation for their defensive struggles. It should be highlighted, with the Timao seeing eight of their last nine Serie A battles finish with over 1.5 goals, we are expecting a similar outcome in midweek.

Verdict: Over 1.5 goals

Best Odds: 2/5

Bookmaker: Dachbet