The Brazilian Serie A season continues this weekend and on the 18th of July we will see the current league leaders in action as Palmeiras travel to the Estádio Olímpico Pedro Ludovico Teixeira to take on Atlético Goianiense.
The hosts begin the weekend in 10th place on 15 points while the visitors are sitting top of the table on 25 points, having played one match more.
Atlético Goianiense come into the game having been held to a 1-1 draw at Juventude last time out. Atlético Goianiense opened the scoring in the 75th minute and it appeared as though they were going to take maximum points until they conceded an equalising goal in the final minute of the match. That result means Atlético Goianiense have recorded only one victory from their last 6 league games.
In fact, Atlético Goianiense have picked up only 2 wins from their last 9 fixtures in all competitions. However, they remain difficult to beat when playing at home and Atlético Goianiense are undefeated in 11 of their last 12 home matches in Serie A. Unfortunately, they have won just one of their 4 most recent league games at the Estádio Olímpico Pedro Ludovico Teixeira.
Trends show Atlético Goianiense’s most recent games have been low-scoring, with under 2.5 goals in their last 5 home matches in Serie A.
Palmeiras come into the match following a 1-0 win at Universidad Católica in the first leg of their round of 16 tie in the Copa Libertadores. It was a good result in Chile and means they are the favourites to progress to the quarter final of the competition.
The win in the Copa Libertadores means Palmeiras are on a run of 6 straight victories in all competitions and they have tasted defeat just once in their 10 most recent games. Form in Serie A shows 5 wins in succession for Palmeiras, including away wins at Sport Recife and Internacional. Palmeiras have won 3 of their last 4 away league fixtures, with the additional victory coming at Juventude.
Trends show Palmeiras have managed to win their last 4 Serie A clashes at both half time and full time. They have scored in each of their last 4 away Serie A matches but have found the back of the net more than once in only 2 of their last 12 away league games.
Looking ahead to the team news and Atlético Goianiense could be without midfielder Ronald, who has a thigh injury. It will be interesting to see who they pick in attack as Atlético Goianiense have been struggling to score goals this season.
Palmeiras will be without Gabriel Menino who is on international duty. Luiz Adriano is struggling with a knee injury and Gabriel Veron has a thigh problem. Eduardo Barroca may choose to rotate his team having played in mid-week.
Atlético Goianiense are finding it tough in-front of goal this season and could be kept out by Palmeiras.
The away team are not prolific themselves away from home in the league but could score the decisive goal to come away with a 1-0 win.