Prediction: Internacional vs Coritiba

Verdict: Internacional win

Best Odds: 4/6

Bookmaker: Unibet

Two sides who find themselves battling it out at opposite ends of the Brazil Serie A standings, Internacional will welcome Coritiba to the Estádio Beira-Rio in the early hours of Saturday.

Internacional

Starting with the hosts, throwing away their lead and eventually getting hit with an action-packed 3-2 defeat at home against Botafogo last weekend, there is no doubt that Internacional will be looking to prove that was just a minor blip. However, despite coming under some scrutiny for their extraordinary collapse last time out, Mano Menezes’ side still find themselves firmly battling it out at the top of the Serie A table. Making a host of improvements since opening the 2022 campaign, the Reds currently sit just outside of the top-four only due to their goal difference. Smelling the chance to make an immediate return to winning ways here, it should be noted that last weekend’s loss at the hands of Botafogo is the only defeat that Internacional have suffered from their last 17 matchups across all formats. With that remarkable run stemming all the way back to April 10th, the one-time Palmeiras boss should still find the mood in his camp at a high.

Team News

Shown a pair of bookings against Botafogo last weekend, Internacional will be without 35-year-old defender Gabriel Mercado here.

All still dealing with knocks, Saturday’s hosts are sweating over the fitness of Gabriel Boschilia, Rene, Rodrigo Dourado and Bruno Mendez.

Coritiba

As for the visitors, while Coritiba might have managed to make their Serie A return earlier in the year, it appears that Glorioso are in the midst of an extended rut. Battling it out at the foot of the table and with many tipping them as a leading relegation pick this time around, Head Coach Gustavo Morinigo will know that his side faces another stern test here. Last seen getting hit with a 1-0 loss at home against Athletico-PR, the Paraná-based outfit have now lost each of their last three domestic contests on the spin. With their recent blip highlighted by an action-packed 4-2 loss at the hands of Bragantino on June 15th, Coritiba have also failed to win any of their last five domestic showdowns. Likewise, looking over their shoulder at the drop zone, Morinigo’s men have also gained a reputation for their rather glaring struggles on the road. Including a 3-0 loss at the hands of Santos last month, Saturday’s guests have collected just a pair of points from their last seven matchups away from the Estádio Couto Pereira.

Team News

Both shown red cards against Athletico-PR last time out, Coritiba will be without the defensive duo of Warley and Diego Porfirio.

Likewise, 24-year-old Andrey will likely miss out again this weekend as he deals with a knee injury.

Key Factors to Consider

• Last weekend’s 3-2 loss against Botafogo is the first defeat that Internacional have tasted from their last 17 matchups across all formats.
• Coritiba have lost each of their last three Serie A outings on the spin.
• Likewise, Saturday’s guests have also collected just a pair of points from their last seven matchups away from the Estádio Couto Pereira.
• Internacional are unbeaten in each of their previous 11 straight meetings against Coritiba, a run that stems back to 2012.
• Five of Internacional’s last six home fixtures across all formats have finished with over 1.5 goals.

Conclusion

Although Internacional might have seen their remarkable unbeaten run come to an abrupt end last weekend, they should be smelling a golden chance to right that wrong here. Still gaining plenty of praise from across Serie A since opening the 2022 campaign, Saturday’s hosts really have their sights set on clinching a shock top-four finish this season. Although their 16-match unbeaten run might be gone, the Reds will be looking to cash in on a Coritiba side in the midst of a rather public struggle. Now losing each of their last three Serie A matchups on the spin, there is no doubt that the top-flight returners face a huge task here.

Verdict: Internacional win

Best Odds: 4/6

Bookmaker: Unibet