Preview: Corinthians vs. America Mineiro - prediction, team news, lineups

America Mineiro will be hoping for three points to boost their survival hopes when they travel to face Corinthians at the Neo Quimica Arena on Sunday evening.

The hosts currently occupy the final relegation spot, whilst Corinthians remain confident of qualifying for next season’s Copa Libertadores.

Match preview

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A yo-yo side for much of their recent history, America-MG have bounced around Serie A and Serie B in years gone by and a return to the second-tier looks to be on the cards.

Forced to wait until late June for their first victory of the campaign, America-MG were winless in the first seven matches of the season and have struggled ever since.

With just five victories to their name all year, relegation looks imminent for Vagner Mancini‘s side, unless the 54-year-old manager can find a solution from somewhere.

One place to start picking points would be against Mancini’s former side Corinthians, where the current America-MG boss was sacked from in May 2021.

After failing to qualify for the 2021 Sao Paulo Championship, the former Gremio player was relieved of his duties, before taking charge of strugglers America-MG one month later.

Appointed in his place was former Barcelona midfielder Sylvinho, who has transformed the club’s fortunes after taking charge.

Losing just five of his 20 Serie A matches in charge, Sylvinho’s side are well-positioned for a second half of the season surge and will have their eyes on a return to the Libertadores.

Most recently in the competition two seasons ago, the Timao were unable to replicate their 2012 triumph after being knocked out on away goals by Paraguayan side Guarani in the second qualifying round.

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There was more continental disappointment for Corinthians this year, who were eliminated at the group stage of the 2021 Copa Sudamericana.

A return to South American football seems likely for Corinthians next season and Sylvinho’s side will be hoping to secure automatic qualification for the Libertadores group stage.

Four points behind Fortaleza in fourth, a Corinthians win would take them to within touching distance, should other results go their way.

However, America-MG have proved to be somewhat of a difficult test for Corinthians in previous seasons, with the Timao picking up only one win in the pair’s previous four meetings.

That victory coming in the second game of this campaign, when Fabio Santos scored the only goal of the game from the spot to give Corinthians the win.

Corinthians Brasileiro form:

• D
• D
• W
• W
• W
• D

America Mineiro Brasileiro form:

• W
• W
• L
• D
• W
• D

Team News

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Eduardo Bauermann returned to the America-MG side to play 90 minutes in their recent victory over Athletico Paranaense and the defender will likely feature once more.

Felipe Azevedo netted his fourth goal of the season in the 2-0 win, with the midfielder a key asset to America-MG’s attack.

Matheus Cavichioli has kept two consecutive clean sheets for America-MG as they look to mount their survival bid, but the Brazilian shot-stopper will no doubt face a sterner test from the Corinthians attack.

Having been drafted into the side three games ago, Gabriel Pereira scored his first goal of the Serie A campaign in Corinthians’ recent win over Atletico Clube Goianiense, with the winger set to start yet again.

Roni returned to the Corinthians side following one match out injured and the midfield prodigy will likely be at the heart of all things the Sao Paulo based club try and achieve against America-MG.

Corinthians will be without Ruan Oliveira who suffered a season-ending anterior cruciate ligament injury earlier on in the campaign, however Adson could be in line for a return.

Corinthians possible starting lineup:
Cassio; Fagner, Victor, Bicalho, Santos; Mosquito, Giuliano, Gabriel, Roni, dos Santos; Guedes

America Mineiro possible starting lineup:
Richard; Fabinho, Messias, Bauermann, Pacheco; Sobral, Oliverira; Morais, Vinicius, Lima; de Jesus

We say: Corinthians 2-1 America Mineiro

America-MG have proven in recent times that they are able to get a result over Corinthians and Mancini’s men will be confident of causing an upset when they travel south.

However, while their opponents may be enjoying a two match winning streak, Corinthians should be too strong for America-MG, as they look to push on and qualify for the Libertadores.

Top tip

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