Athletico Paranaense vs. Atletico Mineiro Match Preview
Match Details
The two Brazilian powerhouses, Athletico Paranaense and Atletico Mineiro, will face off in a highly anticipated match on Wednesday, March 8th, at the Arena da Baixada in Curitiba. Both teams come into this match with impressive records and will be looking to secure a victory to strengthen their positions in the league standings.
Athletico Paranaense
Athletico Paranaense, currently ranked third in the Campeonato Brasileiro Serie A, has been in excellent form this season. The team has won five of its last six matches, including a 2-1 victory over Internacional in their previous outing. Key players to watch for Athletico Paranaense include striker Vitor Roque, who has scored five goals in the league this season, and midfielder Fernandinho, who provides creativity and experience to the team.
Atletico Mineiro
Atletico Mineiro, the reigning Copa Libertadores champions, is currently second in the league standings, just one point behind Palmeiras. The team has also been in good form, winning four of its last five matches. Atletico Mineiro will be looking to bounce back from a disappointing 1-0 defeat to Santos in their previous match. Star players for Atletico Mineiro include Hulk, who has scored seven goals in the league this season, and midfielder Nacho Fernández, who is known for his playmaking abilities.
Team News and Lineups
Both teams are expected to field strong lineups for this match. Athletico Paranaense is likely to start with Bento in goal, a defense of Khellven, Thiago Heleno, Pedro Henrique, and Abner; a midfield of Fernandinho, Alex Santana, and David Terans; and a forward line of Cuello, Vitor Roque, and Canobbio.
Atletico Mineiro is expected to start with Everson in goal, a defense of Mariano, Jemerson, Nathan Silva, and Dodô; a midfield of Allan, Otávio, and Zaracho; and a forward line of Eduardo Sasha, Hulk, and Vargas.
Prediction
This match is expected to be a close and exciting contest between two of the best teams in Brazil. Athletico Paranaense has the home advantage and has been in excellent form, but Atletico Mineiro has the quality and experience to match. The game could go either way, but a 1-1 or 2-1 victory for either team would be a fair result.