Brazil’s Serie A returns this week following the international break, with Palmeiras entertaining Atletico Mineiro at Allianz Parque.
While Palmeiras find themselves fourth in the table, Atletico Mineiro occupy ninth place. However, there are only four points between the two sides after 26 matches.
Runaway leaders Botafogo remain nine points clear of second-placed Red Bull Bragantino, but the race for a top-four finish is heating up.
Palmeiras head into Thursday’s showdown on a poor run of form, having failed to win any of their last five encounters across all competitions.
Not only did Palmeiras lose three straight Serie A games before the international break, but they also fell to Boca Juniors on penalties in the Copa Libertadores semi-finals.
That said, Palmeiras have lost just six of their 26 league outings this season, picking up 12 wins and eight draws to remain within touching distance of the frontrunners.
When you look at the bigger picture, Palmeiras have suffered only eight defeats in their previous 63 Serie A matches, so they will back themselves to turn things around.
Meanwhile, Atletico Mineiro suffered a 2-1 defeat to Coritiba before the international break, ending a run of three successive victories.
It is also worth noting that Atletico Mineiro have lost just one of their last six Serie A games, picking up four wins and one draw in the process.
Better still, Atletico Mineiro have suffered only two defeats in their previous nine league matches, keeping six clean sheets along the way.
Thanks to that run of shutouts, Atletico Mineiro boast the second-best defensive record in the division, having conceded just 21 goals in 26 games this term.
Head-to-head: Atletico Mineiro have failed to win any of their last 10 meetings with Palmeiras across all competitions. That said, eight of those games were drawn.
Given that only two of their previous 12 encounters have produced over 2.5 goals, Palmeiras and Atletico Mineiro are expected to dish up a low-scoring clash on Thursday.
Team news: Palmeiras look set to be without the injured duo of Dudu and Eduard Atuesta for the foreseeable future.
Atletico Mineiro also have a couple of injury doubts at the moment, with Eduardo Vargas and Alisson Santana expected to miss Thursday’s clash.
Considering the recent history of low-scoring draws between Palmeiras and Atletico Mineiro, the two sides will likely play out another close-fought battle this week.
Forebet predicts that Palmeiras and Atletico Mineiro will share the spoils on Thursday, with both teams netting under 1.5 goals.
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