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

After failing to win any of their last three league matches, Athletico Paranaense will be looking to claim all three points when they host Internacional in the Campeonato Brasileiro Serie A on Sunday.

The Furacao are one of only five top-flight sides who are yet to lose at home this season, while the visitors have claimed nine points from their six away games so far this term.

Match preview

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Athletico Paranaense progressed to the Copa Libertadores quarter-finals courtesy of a 4-1 victory at home to America de Cali on Wednesday, winning 5-1 on aggregate.

A brace from Vitinho, as well as strikes from Nikao and Fernando Canesin, helped the Furacao win comfortably in Curitiba, with a converted spot-kick from Adrian Ramos the visitor's only shot on target in the game.

Antonio Oliveira's men now turn their attention back to the Brasileiro, where their form has dipped slightly in recent weeks.

Paranaense were in second place and just two points off the summit at the beginning of this month, but after drawing with Bragantino and losing away matches to Santos and Ceara, they now sit in fifth and are eight points behind league leaders Palmeiras, though they do have a game in hand.

The Furacao have failed to win any of their last three meetings against Internacional, but a victory on Sunday will get them back to winning ways and could see them move to within one point of the top four.

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Unlike Paranaense, Internacional were unable to reach the last eight of the Copa Libertadores as they suffered a cruel 5-4 defeat on penalties after both legs of their last-16 tie ended goalless.

Striker Thiago Galhardo, the club's top goalscorer this campaign with 11 strikes, blazed Internacional's final spot-kick over the bar, which proved costly as Derlis Gonzalez tucked away Olimpia's fifth penalty, to send them through to the next round.

Losing in the shootout will be a bitter pill to swallow for Diego Aguirre – particularly against a side they had beaten 6-1 earlier in the group stages – but he and his side must now dust themselves down and concentrate on their domestic campaign, as they aim to improve after disappointing start in the Brasileiro.

Prior to beating Juventude 1-0 in their last league match on Monday, Internacional had won just two of their opening 11 games. The Colorado finished in second place last season, but this term they sit 13th in the table and just four points above the relegation zone.

With no continental football to focus on, Aguirre's men can put all their effort into the Brasileiro and a win against an inconsistent Paranaense side could help spearhead an ascent up the table.

Team News

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Athletico Paranaense pair Abner Vinicius and Santos are both unavailable as they are with the Brazilian national team in Tokyo for the 2020 Olympics.

Defender Lucas Halter is also ruled out with a foot injury, while midfielder Richard is to self-isolate after testing positive for coronavirus.

Oliveira is expected to stick with a back four, despite switching to a three-man defence two games ago, and so full-backs Marcinho and Nicolas are set to remain in the starting lineup.

David Terans is likely to keep his place in the number 10 role, with Nikao and Vitinho providing support from the flanks for lone striker Matheus Babi.

As for Internacional, they remain without Paolo Guerrero (knee), Ze Gabriel (thigh) and Rodrigo Moledo (knee) due to injury.

Renzo Saravia is also unavailable with a thigh problem, so Heitor is set to keep his place at right-back, joining Bruno Mendez, Victor Cuesta and Moises in the back four.

Yuri Alberto, Taison and Patrick could all start again in advanced midfield roles behind lone striker Galhardo, who is yet to score an away goal in the league so far this season.

Athletico Paranaense possible starting lineup:
Bento; Marcinho, Heleno, Ivaldo, Vichiatto; Cittadini, Christian; Nikao, Terans, Vitinho; Babi

Internacional possible starting lineup:
Daniel; Heitor, Ribeiro, Cuesta, Moises; Edenilson, Dourado; Alberto, Taison, Patrick; Galhardo

We say: Athletico Paranaense 2-0 Internacional

Internacional have failed to score in four of their last five matches across all competitions, while Athletico Paranaense have looked stronger in front of goal, scoring in nine of their last 10 games.

The hosts will be the slight favourites for Sunday's contest and we are predicting that they will get back to winning ways with a narrow victory at the Arena da Baixada.