Sports Mole previews Saturday’s Brasileiro clash between Vitoria and Atletico Goianiense, including predictions, team news and possible lineups.
Two newly-promoted teams still searching for their first win back in the Brasileiro face off on Saturday as Vitoria play host to Atletico Goianiense at Estadio Manoel Barradas.
Both clubs are preparing for their first league fixture in nearly three weeks following the devastating floods that hit the Rio Grande do Sul region of Brazil.
Match preview
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After winning the second-tier title for the first time in their history last season and returning to the top flight following a five-year absence, Vitoria have since picked up just one point from their opening five Brasileiro matches this term.
Since drawing 2-2 with Bahia at the end of April, Vitoria have suffered five straight defeats in all competitions, losing their last three league games as well as a two-legged third-round tie in the Copa do Brasil against Botafogo.
Leao da Barra followed up a 1-0 first-leg loss to Botafogo with a 2-1 home defeat in the second leg just over a week ago, seeing them crash out in the third round for the third time in the last five seasons.
Thiago Carpini‘s side now turn their attention back to the Brasileiro where they currently sit in the relegation zone, occupying 18th spot and placed four points adrift of safety, albeit at such an early stage in the season.
Vitoria are now gearing up for back-to-back fixtures against the two teams below them in the table, starting off with Saturday’s clash with Atletico Goianiense whom they have failed to beat in their last five meetings.
Goianiense have endured an identical start to Vitoria in the top flight, as they have drawn one and lost four of their opening five fixtures, most recently losing 1-0 at home to Cruzeiro on May 12.
Dragao returned to winning ways in the Copa do Brasil, though, just over a week ago when they claimed a 4-2 victory over second-tier team Brusque, winning 5-2 on aggregate to reach the last 16 for the fourth time in five seasons.
Sitting 19th and just one place below Vitoria in the Brasileiro standings, Jair Ventura‘s side are hoping to climb out of the relegation zone by claiming positive results in their next two fixtures against fellow newly-promoted teams, with a clash against Juventude to be preceded by Saturday’s trip to Vitoria where they won 3-2 in the second tier last season.
Vitoria Brasileiro form:
Vitoria form (all competitions):
Atletico Goianiense Brasileiro form:
Atletico Goianiense form (all competitions):
Team News
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Vitoria are set to be without Willian Oliveira (groin), Everaldo (thigh) and Raul Caceres (heel) due to injury, while Willean Lepo and Jean Mota are both doubtful with groin problems.
Camutanga is suspended after being send off in the previous league match, so Wagner Leonardo and Bruno Uvini are set to continue in central defence.
Experienced winger Osvaldo, 37, is the club’s joint-top scorer with six goals this term and he will be pushing to start ahead of Janderson, who is yet to score in five appearances.
As for Goianiense, Gustavo Campanharo remains sidelined after undergoing knee surgery, while Luiz Fernando has been hit with a four-game ban for his actions against the referee in a defeat against Flamengo at the start of the season.
The absence of Fernando, who has scored a team-high 14 goals in all competitions this season, could see Shaylon move over the left flank and Gabriel Barros recalled on the right, as 39-year-old Vagner Love plays down the middle of a three-man attack.
Vitoria possible starting lineup:
Arcanjo; Zeca, Uvini, Leonardo, Patric; Andrade, Dudu; Osvaldo, Matheus, Iury; Adriano
Atletico Goianiense possible starting lineup:
Ronaldo; Maguinho, Martins, Vinicius, Romao; Rhaldney, Kal, Baralhas; Shaylon, Love, Barros
We say: Vitoria 1-2 Atletico Goianiense
Both sides have made a slow start to the new season and will view Saturday’s fixture as a good opportunity to get their first three points on the board.
Vitoria may boast the home advantage, but their defensive frailties could prove costly once against an Atletico Goianiense side who have scored in 13 of their last 14 away matches.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
