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

Cuiaba host America Mineiro on Saturday evening at Arena Pantanal in game week 23 of Campeonato Brasileiro Serie A.

Both sides have drawn their last two matches as they look to get back to winning ways here.

Match preview

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Founded in 2001 by former Palmeiras and Flamengo player Gaucho, Cuiaba have risen up the ranks in Brazil and find themselves in the top division after their Serie B promotion season earlier this year.

They have made a fine start to life in Serie A, sitting 10th in the division and are on a run of six matches without defeat, picking up 12 points in the process.

Jorginho's side have actually performed better away this season, losing just one match out of 11, and so they will be looking to improve their home record here since they have only recorded three league victories at Arena Pantanal in 11 games as they sit 17th in the home table.

This match will mark the return of fans who have been missing from Arena Pantanal for more than 18 months due to COVID-19, with 35% capacity permitted, and Cuiaba will be hoping their support can provide a boost as they push for a Copa Libertadores qualification spot.

America Mineiro were also promoted from Serie B last season, finishing second, but find themselves struggling in Serie A this term sitting in 15th and only one point above the drop zone.

They will also be wary of Gremio who sit in 18th position, two points below America Mineiro, but with two games in hand over their relegation rivals.

The visitors have performed poorly away from home this season and sit 18th in the away table, winning just one game against Bahia back in June in a seven-goal thriller.

However, they are undefeated in their last five away matches with five draws; all but one of those games finishing 1-1.

Vagner Mancini's side drew 0-0 with Cuiaba in the reverse fixture in June and the two sides had to settle for another goalless stalemate in the game prior to that when they met in Serie B.

The last victory between the two sides came in August 2020 when Cuiaba secured a narrow 1-0 away win, also in Serie B, with the games between the two sides being historically tight.

Team News

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Cuiaba drew 0-0 last time out against Atletico Goianiense on Sunday evening using a 4-4-2 system with Elton returning to the lineup following his absence in the game prior, which ended in a 2-2 draw with Fluminense.

Elton is the hosts' top league goalscorer with six this season, and the 36-year-old will be looking to get back to scoring ways this time out with his last goal coming at the beginning of September.

Jorginho's men will have to deal with two absentees up against America Mineiro, with midfielder Camilo suspended after picking up a third yellow card as well as new signing Max Alves, who received a yellow card last time out - his third in the Brasileiro this season.

On the other hand, Cuiaba will be boosted with the returns of Marllon and Rafael Papagaio, who were suspended for their last match against Atletico-GO.

America Mineiro will have to deal with the likely absences of Eduardo, who has been missing for the last 10 matches due to injury, and forward Orlando Berrio, who has missed the last three games due to injury as well.

Cuiaba possible starting lineup:
Walter; Joao Lucas, Paulao, Marllon, Uendel; Cafu, Auremir, Pepe, Clayson; Elton, Cabrera

America Mineiro possible starting lineup:
Cavichioli; Patric, Silva, Eduardo, Marlon; Juninho, Schenfeld; Santos Ademir, De Souza, Azevedo; Zarate

We say: Cuiaba 0-0 America Mineiro

Cuiaba and America Mineiro both come into this in good form and we are predicting another draw here between the two sides to follow suit with their historical results.