There are several games in the Brazilian Serie A on Sunday and one of them is a mid-table clash between Atletico PR and Fluminense.
Atletico PR are on 7 points after six games while Fluminense are 1 point worse off in 15th place. There is a danger both teams could drop into the relegation zone if they fail to win.
Preparation for this match could not have gone much worse for Atletico PR as they lost 3-0 at River Plate on Thursday in the Copa Sudamericana. It was the knockout stages of the competition and Atletico PR won the first leg of the tie 1-0 but could not hold on to their slender advantage in Argentina.
They conceded three second half goals, with the winning goal coming in injury time before a third after 95 minutes. It was a hugely disappointing way to lose the match.
They must try and put that behind them and focus on their Serie A form. Trends show they have won two of their last nine games in all competitions, with one of those wins coming in Serie A. Atletico PR have won one of their last five league games.
However, home form is good and Atletico PR have won ten of their last twelve home matches in Serie A. They have lost just one of the last seventeen on home soil and recorded wins by 2 goals or more in seven of the last twelve league games at the Estádio Joaquim Américo Guimarães.
Fluminense had their own distractions this week and they to played in the Copa Sudamericana only to lose 1-0 at Atletico Nacional in Colombia. However, having won the home leg 4-1, they progressed without too much problem.
The loss in Colombia was their second in succession as Fluminense lost 3-2 at Bahia in the Brazilian league last weekend. That was their first defeat in four games but it has not been a good start to the domestic campaign.
Trends show Fluminense have won two and lost four of their Serie A games this season. One of the wins came away from home in an exciting 5-4 victory at Gremio back on the 5th May. However, they have not been in good form away from home and Fluminense have lost seven of their last eight away league matches.
Five of those defeats have come by a 2 goals margin or more and conceding goals has been a big problem.
Team news and Atletico PR could be without three players as Robson Bambu, Thiago Heleno and Guilherme Camacho have all been on the treatment table.
Fluminense travel without Agenor who is suspended plus Bruno Silva and Léo Santos who are injured. Several players are working their way back to fitness including Guilherme and Airton.
Atletico PR have to start this game as favourites. Despite the loss in mid-week, they have a strong home record in the league and could win this match by 2 or more goals.