Preview: Athletico Paranaense vs. Atletico Goianiense - prediction, team news, lineups

Atletico Goianiense travel to take on Athletico Paranaense on Sunday, as both sides look to build on strong starts to the Campeonato Brasileiro Serie A season.

Paranaense currently sit in second spot having won their opening three games of the season, while their opponents sit just two points and six places behind.

Match preview

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Athletico Paranaense have had the ideal start to the domestic campaign, winning all three of their opening matches.

They started with a 1-0 home win over America Mineiro, as Carlos Eduardo netted the winner in the 87th minute.

Paulo Autuori's men then followed that up with a dominant 3-0 away victory over Juventude, as Jadson netted a quick brace early in the second half before Nikao added a third in the dying minutes.

Most recently in league action, the Rubro-Negro secured a 1-0 win away against Gremio, as Matheus Babi netted the only goal of the game on the stroke of half time.

They then drew 0-0 with Parana in the second leg of their Campeonato Paranaense quarter-final tie, advancing with a 2-0 aggregate victory after goals from Babi and Leo Cittadini in the away leg in May.

Having not lost in 10 games in all competitions, Paranaense will hope to keep a great run going with another league win on Sunday, potentially seeing them rise to the top of the league.

This will be one of their toughest tasks in that run, though, as their opponents also find themselves in good form.

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Atletico Goianiense started the Brasileiro season with two statement victories, firstly defeating Corinthians 1-0 away from home thanks to a Ze Roberto goal on the stroke of half time.

They then brushed Sao Paulo aside, as Eder and Joao Paulo fired Eduardo Barroca's side to a 2-0 win on home turf.

The Dragao picked up another impressive result in their most recent league outing, as they held league leaders Fortaleza, who had won all three games up to that point, to a goalless draw, keeping the top few sides within touching distance.

They will now have their sights set on taking the scalp of the second-placed side in order to leapfrog them and likely break into the top five.

Having also recently advanced to the semi-finals of their regional league with a 2-0 aggregate win over Corinthians, Barroca's men will come in with plenty of confidence, setting Sunday up to be a must-see encounter between two sides at the peak of their powers.

Team News

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Athletico Paranaense will remain without important midfielder Erick, who continues his spell out of action through injury.

He will be joined on the sidelines by 21-year-old centre-back Lucas Halter, who impressed with some solid performances in the Campeonato Paranaense.

Matheus Babi will continue to lead their line, having netted the winner in the recent victory over Gremio.

He could be supported by the wide threat of Vitinho and Nikao, while the likes of Jadson and Renato Kayser will also hope for starting spots, having been on the bench in that game.

Atletico Goianiense's only absentee should be midfielder Maranhao, who will serve a suspension for accumulating yellow cards.

Their line will be led by talented forward Ze Roberto, who netted the winner in their opening league game of the season.

Janderson and Joao Paulo are also expected to keep their places in the attacking line, while Natanael appears to have nailed down his spot on the left flank.

Athletico Paranaense possible starting lineup:
Santos; Marcinho, Henrique, Heleno, Vinicius; Eduardo, Jadson, Richard; Vitinho, Babi, Nikao

Atletico Goianiense possible starting lineup:
Miguel; Dudu, Silva, Oliveira, Da Silva; Freitas, Baralhas; Janderson, Paulo, Natanael; Roberto

We say: Athletico Paranaense 2-1 Atletico Goianiense

Both of these sides have been in particularly strong form this season and will be tough to beat, making this the standout game of the weekend in the Brazilian top flight, and it could definitely go either way.

We give Paranaense the narrow edge given their impressive unbeaten run in all competitions, but do not be surprised if the visitors come away with another impressive result.