Preview: Sao Paulo vs. Atletico Goianiense - prediction, team news, lineups

Atletico Goianiense will look to stretch their unbeaten run to eight league games on Sunday, when they travel to take on Sao Paulo.

The visitors' revival has seen them rise back up to 10th spot in the Campeonato Brasileiro Serie A table, while the hosts were recently brought back down to earth after previously recording three straight league wins.

Match preview

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Having failed to find consistency so far this season, Sao Paulo remain in 15th spot heading into Sunday's clash, on the back of a defeat and a draw in their last two league outings.

Hernan Crespo's side looked to have turned a corner recently, as they held title-chasing Palmeiras to a goalless draw before picking up 2-1 wins over Athletico Paranaense and Gremio.

The Tricolor Paulista then made it three straight victories as Pablo netted the only goal in their trip to Sport Recife, but their winning run was stopped when Juventude arrived and held them to a 1-1 draw, before Crespo's men were defeated 2-1 at Fluminense in their most recent league outing.

Following that defeat, Sao Paulo took on Fortaleza in the Copa do Brasil quarter-final last time out, and they were handed a 3-1 defeat as Gabriel Sara only netted a consolation goal in the 95th minute.

Now sitting just one point above the relegation zone and without a victory in four games in all competitions, Crespo will be desperate to see his side reverse their fortunes, but they face a tough task against an Atletico Goianiense side who have proven themselves to be difficult to beat.

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After a strong start to the season, Sunday's visitors quickly suffered a slip down the table, dropping to 13th spot in July, but they have managed to turn their form around since then.

Eduardo Barroca's men have now lost just one of their last 11 games in the Brazilian top flight, and are without a defeat in their last seven outings, having collected 11 points in that time.

They come into Sunday's game on the back of three straight draws, most recently earning a late point against Corinthians, as Ze Roberto hit an 89th-minute equaliser after their opponents looked set to see out a 1-0 victory.

Having already climbed back up to 10th spot, the Dragao now sit just two points behind seventh-placed Fluminiense, meaning they could enjoy a further rise if they can extend their current unbeaten run and make a return to winning ways on Sunday.

Team News

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Sao Paulo have several injury issues to deal with, as Marquinhos and William da Silva are both ruled out, although defender Robert Arboleda and attacker Emiliano Rigoni both recently returned from spells on the sidelines.

Both should again feature on Sunday, with Arboleda lining up alongside Miranda and Leo in a back three.

Rigoni should again lead the line with the support of Martin Benitez, while the likes of Pablo, Luciano and Eder will all battle for the final striker spot.

Atletico Goianiense's only absentee should be midfielder Marlon Freitas, who continues to recover from an injury.

Natanael returned to the side last time out after being ineligible to play against his parent club, and the winger will again play a key role on Sunday.

Their line will be led by the threatening duo of Ze Roberto and Joao Paulo, with the pair having netted a combined tally of five goals in the last eight games despite both spending time out of action through suspensions in that period.

Sao Paulo possible starting lineup:
Volpi; Arboleda, Miranda, Leo; Vinicius, Sara, Nestor, Reinaldo; Benitez; Rigoni, Eder

Atletico Goianiense possible starting lineup:
Fernando; Dudu, Wanderson, Eder, Carius; De Almeida, Baralhas, Maranhao, Natanael; Roberto, Paulo

We say: Sao Paulo 1-2 Atletico Goianiense

While Atletico Goianiense have built plenty of confidence with their recent run, their hosts have struggled, and we see those trends continuing with an away win on Sunday.

Barroca's established starting XI boasts plenty of quality and works as a well-oiled machine with limited changes, potentially seeing them outclass a Sao Paulo side lacking momentum as a result.