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

Newly-promoted sides America Mineiro and Juventude will face each other in the top flight for the first time in 20 years at the Estadio Raimundo Sampaio on Thursday.

The hosts have failed to win any of their last nine matches across all competitions, while the visitors claimed their first three points on Monday when they beat Sport Recife.

Match preview

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America Mineiro are still searching for their first league victory since their promotion from Serie B last season, after they narrowly lost 2-1 away at Copa Libertadores holders Palmeiras last weekend.

Geovane scored America's first goal of the season when his looping volley from outside the penalty area beat goalkeeper Jailson in the 38th minute, however Palmeiras responded immediately when Willian headed in from close range a minute later. There was then more drama shortly before half time as Ademir's stoppage-time penalty was saved by Jailson.

Palmeiras dominated the second half with a plethora of chances and their efforts to score a winner eventually paid off in the 96th minute, when Willian scored his second of the game, whipping in a strike from 12 yards to snatch all three points.

That heartbreaking result for America means they remain in the relegation zone and are one of only five teams who are yet to claim a league victory.

Lisca's men have found life difficult in the Brazilian top flight so far, losing four of their opening five matches and claiming just one point in a goalless draw with Cuiaba.

America claimed four points against Juventude last season in the second tier and will be confident that they can finally secure their first Serie A victory of the campaign on Thursday.

Juventude claimed their first league victory of the 2021 campaign when they narrowly beat Sport Recife 1-0 on Monday.

The game was goalless heading into the final 10 minutes and Recife looked like they were going to claim a point, however Marquinhos Santos's side broke the deadlock in the 83rd minute when striker Matheus Peixoto managed to place the ball into the bottom left-hand corner from inside the penalty area.

Juventude remain in the bottom half of the Serie A table but have now climbed out of the relegation zone, having claimed five points from their opening five matches.

Although Juve have won only one of their last six meetings against America Mineiro, Santos and his team will be keen to build on their first league win and they will fancy their chances of replicating Monday's result.

Securing three points on Thursday could see Juventude move into the top half of the table and climb as high as seventh, potentially overtaking Flamengo, who they will face this weekend.

Team News

America Mineiro's Matheus Cavichioli has recently been unavailable after testing positive for coronavirus, but the goalkeeper could now be in contention to feature on Thursday.

Luiz Fernando, Marcelo Toscano, Ze Ricardo, Airton and Marlon are all still carrying injuries and are unlikely to play any part against Juventude.

After scoring on Monday, Geovane is likely to keep his place on the right wing, with Ademir on the opposite flank and Rodolfo to lead the line in attack.

As for Juventude, they come into this game with a clean bill of health, with Santos having a full squad to pick from.

A 4-4-2 formation could be used once again by Santos, which may see Guilherme Castilho and Elton keep their places in central midfield.

Despite failing to score in his last four league games, Wescley should continue up front and he is set to be joined by Peixoto.

America Mineiro possible starting lineup:
Jory; Eduardo, Bauermann, De Jesus Santos; Paulo; Egea, De Carvalho; Ademir, Juninho, Geovane; Rodolfo

Juventude possible starting lineup:
Carne; Michel, Mendes, Forster, Matheus; Kim, Elton, Castilho, Paulinho; Wescley, Peixoto

We say: America Mineiro 0-1 Juventude

Juventude will be on a high after claiming their first victory earlier this week, and they will be looking to carry their momentum into Thursday's clash with America Mineiro.

The hosts are desperate to claim their first three points of the campaign, but we feel that the visitors have enough to secure a slender victory at the Estadio Raimundo Sampaio.