There’s midweek action from the Brazilian Serie A on Wednesday evening when Santos play host to Athletico PR at the Estádio Urbano Caldeira in an attractive-looking fixture in the domestic top flight with both teams eager to further boost their claims for qualification in the Libertadores.
Santos dropped down to a mid-table position on the Serie A ladder following a disappointing 2-0 defeat away from home at America Mineiro, especially as Santos had previously put together a promising run of four matches without defeat in Serie A beforehand.
Bastidores da preparação do Peixe para enfrentar o Athletico e entrevista com o lateral Madson!Vídeo completo em https://t.co/SF3RXQ0xhM pic.twitter.com/FFXhH03He7— Santos Futebol Clube (@SantosFC) July 6, 2021
Bastidores da preparação do Peixe para enfrentar o Athletico e entrevista com o lateral Madson!Vídeo completo em https://t.co/SF3RXQ0xhM pic.twitter.com/FFXhH03He7
Santos have produced an inconsistent campaign in the domestic top flight so far this season as they’ve won 3, drawn 3 and lost 3 of their opening nine games to date, with the majority of their success being achieved on home turf.
The hosts still remain unbeaten at home so far this term and includes wins against Ceara, Sao Paulo and Atletico Mineiro, while the bigger picture shows that Santos are unbeaten in their last eight games at home as well.
Santos will be without Sandry Santos and Jobson (injuries) while Alison is rated as doubtful and forward Marinho (3 goals) is the leading goalscorer.
Athletico PR will be bidding to make it three wins on the trot in the Brazilian top flight following back-to-back victories against Fluminense 4-1 away from home and a 2-1 home win against Fortaleza which has maintained Athletico’s 2nd place position in the Serie A table.
In particular, the resounding 4-1 win on the road at Fluminense should give Athletico PR plenty of confidence and belief heading into this clash at the Estádio Urbano Caldeira as well as the fact that the visitors have lost just one of their opening eight league matches so far this season.
A 2-1 defeat on the road at Bahia has been Athletico PR’s only blemish to date this season while they’ve also picked up six wins during what has been an impressive and solid start to the new term.
Having lost just three of their last 11 away matches in Serie A, this suggests that Athletico PR are capable of more than holding their own against Santos, and manager, Antonio Oliveira, is expected to the name the same side that won last time out against Fortaleza with forward Babi (3 goals) leading the line.
Santos have been solid at home while Athletico PR have made an impressive start to the season so both teams look likely to score here.