Best Odds: 2/5
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Looking to finish off the job and extend on their Copa do Brasil adventure in the early hours of Thursday morning, Atletico Mineiro will travel to the Neo Quimica Arena when they meet Corinthians.
Corinthians
Starting with the hosts, managing to draw a line under their extended rut last weekend as they claimed a much-needed 2-0 victory against Fluminense, Corinthians are desperate to try and find some stability. Knowing that they are in need of a minor Copa do Brasil miracle after slumping to a first-leg 2-0 defeat on May 17th, Vanderlei Luxemburgo s men have come under some public scrutiny over the past couple of months. Mustering just a single win from any of their last nine straight appearances across all competitions a run that stems back to April 26th the Tiamo are also battling it out in the bottom-half of the Serie A standings. Now seen as a real underdog in their bid to claim another top-four finish in 2023, the Brazilian giants have also shown some continued struggles in the final third. Despite claiming that 2-0 victory against Fluminense last time out, Corinthians have drawn a blank in each of their other three outings.
Team News
Dealing with a long-term issue and yet to make a single appearance this season, Gustavo Mosquito will once again miss out on Thursday. However, Corinthians are hopeful that ex-Tottenham midfielder Paulinho could make a full return here.
Bagging both goals last weekend and now bagging three goals in his previous five appearances across all competitions, one-time Atletico Mineiro star Roger Guedes will lead the charge against his former employers here.
Atletico Mineiro
As for the visitors, although Atletico Mineiro might have been disappointed after only collecting a 1-1 draw at home against Palmeiras last weekend, the Gala have only continued to shine since opening the 2023 campaign. Seen as one the leading contenders to claim a lucrative top-four finish, Eduardo Coudet’s men have lost just one of their last 11 straight appearances across all competitions a run that stems all the way back to April 18th. Picking up that eye-catching 2-0 victory when they welcomed Corinthians to the Arena MRV on May 17th for their first-leg meeting, the former Celta Vigo boss will be calling for his squad to produce a repeat display in midweek. With their eye-catching purple patch highlighted by a 4-0 romp against Cuiaba earlier in the month, Thursday’s guests have certainly enjoyed a rich run of form in the final third.
Team News
Atletico Mineiro will travel to the Neo Quimica Arena without the likes of Pedrinho, Alan Kardec and Guilherme Arana. However, Mauricio Lemos could make a full return on Thursday after the 27-year-old served a one-match suspension last weekend.
Despite notching jus a single strike from any of his last five appearances across all competitions, former Porto superstar Hulk will spearhead Coudet’s attack here. Former Monaco defender Jemerson will once again be partnered with Nathan Silva at the back.
Key Factors to Consider
