The Arena MRV in Belo Horizonte will host a pivotal Brasileirão Série A encounter on Sunday as Atlético Mineiro welcome Vasco da Gama. With both sides separated by just one point in the standings, this match could have significant implications in the race for continental qualification.
Lineups and Team News
Atlético Mineiro are dealing with several key absences. Goalkeeper Everson remains sidelined with a broken finger, while midfielders Matías Zaracho and Alisson are also unavailable due to injury. Perhaps most crucially, left-back Guilherme Arana is suspended after accumulating yellow cards.
Expected Atlético Mineiro XI (4-3-3): Paulinho, Renzo Saravia, Alan Franco, Rubens, Bruno Fuchs, Bernard, Otávio, Junior Alonso, Gustavo Scarpa, Hulk, Matheus Mendes
Vasco da Gama have their own injury concerns, with midfielders Dimitri Payet, Jair, and Paulinho Paula all ruled out. New signings Philippe Coutinho and Alex Teixeira are still building fitness and unlikely to feature.
Expected Vasco da Gama XI (4-3-3): Pablo Vegetti, Léo, Mateus Carvalho, Maicon, Hugo Moura, Praxedes, Lucas Piton, Adson, David, Paulo Henrique, Léo Jardim
Where to Watch
The match kicks off at 8:00 PM local time (7:00 PM ET) on Sunday, July 21. Brasileirão matches are typically broadcast on Premiere FC and TV Globo in Brazil, MOLA TV in the UK, while international viewers may be able to stream the game through bet365’s live service (subject to regional restrictions).
Form Guide
Atlético Mineiro enter this fixture in inconsistent form, with just one win in their last five league matches. Their most recent outing saw them draw 1-1 away to Juventude, with Junior Alonso scoring the equalizer.
Vasco da Gama, on the other hand, are riding a wave of momentum. They’ve won their last four Brasileirão matches in a row, including an impressive 2-0 victory over Corinthians and a 1-0 away win against Atlético GO.
Head-to-Head
Recent meetings between these sides have favored Vasco da Gama. The Rio de Janeiro club has won the last three encounters, including a 1-0 victory in their most recent clash in August 2023.
Standings
Vasco da Gama currently sit 9th in the Brasileirão table with 23 points from 17 matches. Atlético Mineiro are just behind in 11th place, having accumulated 22 points from 16 games played.
Key Stats
- Atlético Mineiro have scored 23 goals this season, but have also conceded 25 – the worst defensive record of any team in the top half of the table.
- Vasco da Gama striker Pablo Vegetti leads his team with 6 goals in the Brasileirão.
- Atlético Mineiro midfielder Gustavo Scarpa has provided 4 assists this season, tied for the team lead.
Prediction
While Atlético Mineiro boast home advantage, Vasco da Gama’s recent form and head-to-head record make them slight favorites. The absence of key players like Arana and Everson could prove costly for the hosts.
Predicted Score: Atlético Mineiro 1-2 Vasco da Gama
Vasco’s resurgence under caretaker manager Rafael Paiva has been impressive, and they’ll be eager to continue their winning streak. However, Atlético Mineiro have enough quality to make this a closely contested affair, especially with the likes of Hulk and Paulinho in attack.
The match promises to be an intriguing tactical battle between Gabriel Milito’s possession-based approach and Vasco’s more direct, counter-attacking style. With both teams having something to prove, fans can expect an entertaining and hard-fought 90 minutes at the Arena MRV.
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