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Atletico Mineiro
Brasileiro | Gameweek 19
Jul 24, 2022 at 10pm UK
Mineirão
Corinthians

Atletico Mineiro
1 - 2
Corinthians

Keno (9')
Fernandez (45'), Alonso (85')
FT(HT: 1-0)
Santos (80', 86' pen.)
Alberto (45+1')

Preview: Atletico Mineiro vs. Corinthians - prediction, team news, lineups

Sports Mole previews Sunday's Brasileiro clash between Atletico Mineiro and Corinthians, including predictions, team news and possible lineups.

A crucial game in the fight at the top end of the Campeonato Brasileiro Serie A table will take place on Sunday, as Atletico Mineiro entertain Corinthians.

The visitors moved back up to second place with a win over Coritiba last time out, as their visitors were held to a draw late on, while both find themselves four points off league leaders Palmeiras.


Match preview

Atletico Mineiro players celebrate with the trophy after winning the final on February 20, 2022© Reuters

Looking to retain the Brasileiro title they won last season, Atletico Mineiro had a relatively slow start to the new term by their own standards, picking up four wins and 18 points from the opening 12 games.

While that start put Antonio Mohamed's side on the back foot in the fight at the top end of the division, it did not take long for them to improve their standing, as they went on to post three straight league victories over Flamengo, Fortaleza and Juventude, before settling for a point from a goalless draw with Sao Paulo.

The Alvinegro then returned to winning ways in the following outing against Botafogo, with Matias Zaracho hitting the only goal of the game in the second half, before they Cuiaba last time out with the aim of moving closer to top spot.

That game remained goalless until Alan Kardec finally gave Mohamed's side a lead in the 94th minute, but they were unable to hold on as Gabriel Pirani forced a share of the spoils with an equaliser five minutes later.

Such a result may have somewhat dented Atletico Mineiro's confidence, as they have now dropped to third spot behind Sunday's opponents and four points off leaders Palmeiras, but they will know that a victory at the weekend will see them move into a far stronger position in second place, with the chance to cut the gap to the summit.

Atletico Mineiro's Ignacio Fernandez celebrates scoring their first goal with teammates on February 20, 2022© Reuters

They host a Corinthians side keen to post consecutive victories after battling through a mixed run of form in the last month.

Under the new management of Vitor Pereira, the Sao Paulo outfit established themselves in the leading pack with a strong start to the campaign, as they sat on 25 points from 13 outings.

Their momentum was then put on hold by a draw with Santos and a 4-0 thrashing at the hands of Fluminense, before bouncing back with a 1-0 defeat to Flamengo and suffering another disappointing loss as they were beaten 3-1 away at Ceara.

Looking to put their spell of inconsistency behind them, the Timao hosted Coritiba on Thursday, and they were successful in returning to winning ways as Roger Guedes, Adson and Raul Gustavo got on the scoresheet in a 3-1 victory.

Having now leapfrogged Atletico Mineiro and moved second in the table, only trailing Palmeiras by four points, Corinthians will hope to keep building momentum and ramp up pressure on the league leaders with what would be a crucial win on Sunday.

Atletico Mineiro Brasileiro form:
  • W
  • W
  • W
  • D
  • W
  • D

Atletico Mineiro form (all competitions):
  • W
  • W
  • D
  • L
  • W
  • D

Corinthians Brasileiro form:
  • W
  • D
  • L
  • W
  • L
  • W

Corinthians form (all competitions):
  • L
  • W
  • W
  • L
  • L
  • W


Team News

Corinthians' Willian pictured on October 6, 2021© Reuters

Atletico Mineiro could remain without star forward Hulk, who has netted seven league goals so far this season, after he was absent from their game against Cuiaba last time out.

Fabio started up front in his absence in that game, but Alan Kardec will be vying to lead the line from the outset after he came off the bench to score an injury-time equaliser.

Whoever operates as the lone striker will be supported by the likes of Matias Zaracho and Chilean international Eduardo Vargas, while Otavio and Jair should continue to partner up at the base of the midfield.

Corinthians could come in with an unchanged starting XI after Thursday's victory, with Roger Guedes again set to lead the line after hitting his sixth league goal of the season.

Despite not hitting the net since his arrival from Arsenal, Willian remains a key man on the wing and will once again play an important role from the outset.

Exciting forward Yuri Alberto made his first appearance for the club last time out after a loan move from Zenit St Petersburg, and he will go in search of a first goal on Sunday.

Atletico Mineiro possible starting lineup:
Everson; Guga, Rabello, Alonso, Arana; Jair, Otavio; Vargas, Zaracho, Ademir; Kardec

Corinthians possible starting lineup:
Cassio; Ramos, Gil, Gustavo, Piton; Cantillo, Maycon; Willian, Rony, Alberto; Guedes


SM words green background

We say: Atletico Mineiro 1-1 Corinthians

With two of the league's strongest sides squaring off, we anticipate a high quality and hotly-contested affair and struggle to pick a winner, with a share of the spoils possible being the most likely outcome as both set up to avoid what would be a harmful defeat.

For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.


Top tip

Our expert tipster partners at Sporita.com are predicting over 1.5 goals in this match. Click here to find out what else they are predicting for this game and for more of their tried-and-tested football tips.Over 1.5:data


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Game History

How you voted: Atletico Mineiro vs Corinthians

Atletico Mineiro
50.0%
Draw
27.8%
Corinthians
22.2%
18
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rhs 2.0
Today's games header
Tables header RHS
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Botafogo430110469
2Atletico Mineiro42207168
3BragantinoBragantino42206428
4Athletico ParanaenseAthletico PR42116337
5Bahia42116517
6InternacionalInternacional42114317
7Cruzeiro42117707
8FlamengoFlamengo42114407
9Gremio42024316
10CriciumaCriciuma31206245
11FortalezaFortaleza31204315
12PalmeirasPalmeiras41211105
13JuventudeJuventude412157-25
14Sao Paulo41125414
15Corinthians41123304
16Fluminense411258-34
17Vasco da GamaVasco410349-53
18Vitoria301236-31
19Atletico GoianienseAtletico GO401327-51
20Cuiaba300308-80


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