Relegation-threatened Goias host Atletico Mineiro in round 15 of the Brasileirao, to be held at Estadio da Serrinha on Monday night.

The home side could leave the danger zone with a win and other results favouring them, while Mineiro seek to remain in the continental places.

Match preview

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Goias may have got some continental joy with a 2-1 victory over Independiente Santa Fe in the Copa Sudamericana, but their domestic results have left much to be desired.

Three consecutive losses have put Verdao in the relegation spots, even if they could supplant Bahia in the imminent gameweek.

Armando Evangelista's team are two points adrift of 16th-placed Bahia, but they would need Athletico Paranaense to do them a favour before they take to the field in gameweek 15.

Goias' fixture is the final game of the round, so Esmeraldino will know where they stand before hosting Mineiro on Monday night.

The hosts have lost three of their last five matches at Estadio da Serrinha, claiming two home wins all season, which gives little reason to be optimistic.

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As for the away side, they go into the fixture in underwhelming form, evidenced by their inability to win any of their last six in all competitions.

Five winless games have come in the league, and Luiz Felipe Scolari is still seeking his first win in Belo Horizonte since taking charge in late June.

Galo's latest disappointment was a 1-0 home defeat by Corinthians, leaving Scolari's men in 12th place before the next round of games.

They occupy the last Copa Sudamericana qualification slot, which they are guaranteed to end in regardless of the outcome in gameweek 15, with 13th-placed Santos four points adrift.

Despite being winless under Scolari, Mineiro have the third-best away record in the competition, a statistic that could offer positivity before taking to the field next week.

Team News

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Guilherme netted twice in the wildly exciting 4-3 loss against Santos before a late dismissal, ruling out the Goias playmaker against Mineiro.

Everton Morelli has had to make do with substitute appearances since going off injured in the 2-0 defeat at Red Bull Bragantino, but the central midfielder could return to Evangelista's lineup.

Hulk should return to Scolari's team after serving a one-game suspension against Corinthians for a second yellow card received in the 2-2 draw with America Mineiro on July 2.

Renzo Saravia could replace Mariano at right-back, although this is far from guaranteed, with neither player assured of a starting berth.

Scolari may revert to the 4-3-3, having altered his approach slightly by utilising a 4-2-3-1 against Corinthians.

Goias possible starting lineup:
Tadeu; Maguinho, Halter, Melo, Sander; Morelli, Ze Ricardo; Matheusinho, Palacios, Alesson; Peixoto

Atletico Mineiro possible starting lineup:
Everson; Saravia, Lemos, Jemerson, Arana; Gomes, Edenilson, Battaglia; Pavon, Hulk, Paulinho

We say: Goias 1-1 Atletico Mineiro

It is hard to separate both sides, and a draw could be on the cards, leaving Goias underwhelmed as they remain in the bottom four and Mineiro still winless under Scolari.


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