Preview: Sport Recife vs. Athletico Paranaense - prediction, team news, lineups

Having already suffered relegation from the Brasileiro, Sport Recife play host to Athletico Paranaense at Estadio Ilha do Retiro on Friday.

The hosts, meanwhile, are looking to preserve their top-flight status by avoiding defeat in this one.

Match preview

Athletico Paranaense had to settle for a share of the spoils in their meeting with Palmeiras on Monday.

Despite being on top for the majority of the contest, Alberto Valentim's men failed to find the breakthrough at Arena da Baixada.

The Red and Black are 14th on the log as things stand, just three points above the drop zone heading into their season finale.

Lying in store next for them is a visit to a ground where they have not won on any of the last six visits, losing each of the most recent four.

Sport Recife returned to winning ways with a narrow 1-0 victory over Chapecoense on Tuesday.

Luciano Batista opened the scoring in the 88th minute to hand Gustavo Florentin's men all three points at the Arena Conda.

The Maior do Nordeste are bottom but one on the log, six points adrift of safety with only one game left to play.

Having endured a disappointing league campaign, Friday's hosts will be keen to bow out in style as they prepare for life in the second tier next season.

Team News

Leandro Barcia has missed Recife's last eight games due to a knee problem, and the forward has been ruled out of Friday's game.

The home side will also be without the services of the Brazilian quartet of Meira Neilton, Joao Oliveira, Thiago and Everaldo.

Having recorded back to back clean sheets for the first time this term last time out, we expect Gustavo Florentin to stick with the defensive unit of Pedro Henrique, Thiago Heleno and Nicolas Vichiatto.

Babi Matheus and Lucas Halter are the visitors' only absentees for the match as they continue to nurse knee and leg injuries respectively.

Sport Recife possible starting lineup:
Mailson; Chico, Monteiro, Thyere, Ewerton; Marcao, Welison, Trellez; Felipe, Gustavo, Mikael

Athletico Paranaense possible starting lineup:
Santos; Henrique, Heleno, Vichiatto; Marcinho, Erick, Canesin, Abner; Neves, Nikao, Bissoli

We say: Sport Recife 2-1 Athletico Paranaense

Sport Recife have been solid defensively on home turf all-season long, and we expect that to continue here. We are also backing them to secure all three points in this one at the sound of the final whistle.

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