Athletico Paranaense v Internacional
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Saturday 16th July – 8:30PM KO
One of the biggest games this weekend in the Brazilian Serie A sees sixth-place Athletico Paranaense host fourth-placed Internacional at the Arena da Baixada in Curitiba.
After five wins on the spin, Athletico Paranaense have had a slight dip in form, which is probably down to playing a large number of games in a short space of time. Last time out in the league, they took on struggling Goias away from home. A poor first half saw the hosts run into a 2-0 lead thanks to goals from Pedro Raul and Nicolas. Athletico came out in the second half hoping for a fight back. They dominated with 11 shots compared to Goias’ three, but could only manage a goal from a David Terans spot kick, as they suffered a disappointing 2-1 defeat. The loss was their first in 15 matches, but Luiz Felipe Scolari’s men didn’t let it affect them in midweek, as they enjoyed a 2-1 victory over second-tier Bahia, to book their place in the Copa do Brasil quarter-finals.
Internacional are in great form of late, after sixteen games, they sit third in the league with; seven wins, seven draws, and just two defeats. They are only two points behind league leaders Palmeiras and know a win here would take them four points clear of Athletico. After completing a historic comeback against Colo-Colo in the Copa Sudamericana, Inter took on America Mineiro on Monday evening and enjoyed a 1-0 victory. Inter dominated the games, putting up an XG of 1.93 compared to Coelho’s 0.52. Despite the dominance, it took a stoppage-time winner from Moises to ensure the three points.
Picking a winner in this game is difficult, both sides will feel confident about securing the points. Internacional have the fifth-best away record in the division and Athletico have only lost one of their seven home league games this season. One common theme is apparent when these sides meet, five of the last six matches has seen both teams scoring, which could well be on the cards here. Athletico have scored eleven times at home and have conceded on average a goal per game, whilst Inter have scored nine on the road, but have conceded seven in the process…
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Prediction: Both Teams to Score, 1.80 on Betfair (⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️)
Flamengo vs Coritiba
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Saturday 16th July – 11:00PM KO
After four wins on the spin, Flamengo suffered defeat last time out, at the hand of Corinthians away from home. The match itself was a fairly even contest with Flamengo putting up an XG of 0.86 compared to Corinthians’ 0.91. It was fitting that in a game full of little chances, an own-goal from right-back Rodinei settled the tie. The Rubro Negro sits in ninth place, nine points adrift of the league leaders. Despite their disappointment last weekend, on Wednesday evening, Flamengo hosted Atlético Mineiro in the second leg of the Copa do Brasil. Dorival Júnio’s men needed to overturn a 2-1 deficit to progress to the Quarter Finals, and they did just that. A brace from Giorgian De Arrascaeta saw Flamengo run out 2-0 winners, which will be a real confidence booster coming into this game.
Flamengo said goodbye to Willian Arão this week after the midfielder agreed to join former manager Jorge Jesus at Fenerbahçe. Arão played 14 league matches this season, scoring twice. They also announced that former Inter Milian player, Arturo Vidal has joined the club. He will be available to play on Wednesday.
Coritiba comes into this game in poor form with only one win from their last eight league games, they are desperate for a turnaround in form as they sit just one point above the drop zone. Last time out, they took on Juventude and immediately found themselves two goals behind after a brace from Ricardo Bueno. A defeat could have been the final nail in the coffin for Gustavo Moringo, which probably led to an inspiring half-time team talk. Goals from Leo Gamalho and Adrian Martinez saw Coxa rescue a point. It was the type of fightback which could be a turning point in a season and Coritiba fans will be hoping that’s the case. It was the third game in a row that Coxa have performed below their opponents on expected goals with an XG of 1.36 compared to Juve’s 2.35. Moringo’s men will have to be more creative if they want to start improving their results.
Flamengo’s form under Dorival Junior has been amazing, and more so at the Maracana, where they are yet to lose since Junior’s hiring. On the flip side, Coritiba has the worst away record in the league with two draws and five defeats from their seven matches. With that in mind, the Rubro Negro should enjoy a comfortable evening.
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Prediction: Flamengo to Win & Over 1.5 Goals, 1.57 on Betfair (⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️)
Botafogo v Atletico Mineiro
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Sunday 17th July – 10:00PM KO
Botafogo have lost eight of their last eleven matches in all competitions and are desperate to improve their form. Last weekend, it was a poor show from Botafogo who suffered a 2-0 defeat to Cuiaba. On top of that, Hugo and Daniel Borges were shown red cards and will not be available here. They must be more disciplined in this match. Fogo could only manage an XG of 0.23 compared to Cuiaba’s 1.77, they simply need to be better going forward. On Thursday, Botafogo took on America Mineiro in the cup and after a 3-0 first leg defeat away from home, Fogo were once again beaten, this time 2-0 in front of their own fans. They created 11 attempts on goal but could not find a way past America shot-stopper, Matheus Cavichioli.
Atlético Mineiro have lost just once in their last ten matches in all competitions, but that defeat came in their last outing against Flamengo in the Cup. After winning the first leg 2-1, a brace from Giorgian De Arrascaeta saw the Rubro Negro turn the tie on its head, eliminating Atletico from the competition in the process. After three league wins on the spin, Galo dropped their first points last weekend in a 0-0 draw with Sao Paulo. Striker Hulk was extremely disappointed after not being awarded what he thought was a clear penalty in the second half. The club backed him by calling out referee Anderson Daronco. Galo’s XG was at 1.42 compared to Sao Paulo’s 0.23 showing they need to be more clinical up top.
Away from home, Atletico have scored nine and conceded nine from their seven games, whilst, Botafogo have a poor home record which has seen them win only two from seven, during this period they have shipped in nine goals. With that in mind, surely there should be goals in this one!
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Prediction: Over 1.5 Goals, 1.40 on Betfair (⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️)
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