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

Currently on a three-game winless run, Palmeiras will be keen to arrest their recent slump when they take on Athletico Paranaense at Allianz Parque on Sunday.

While Palmeiras fell to an underwhelming 2-0 defeat to newly-promoted Cuiaba on the last matchday, Athletico Paranaense booked a spot in the Copa do Brasil semi-finals after a slender 1-0 win over Santos.

Match preview

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Palmeiras, who sit in second place in the Brasileiro standings, are enduring a difficult month where they have lost all their three matches, consequently relinquishing their spot at the league summit to Atletico Mineiro.

Last time out, they were in action against Serie A newcomers Cuiaba and were handed a shock 2-0 defeat, with goals from Clayson and Uillian Correia putting them to the sword, as they slipped six points behind the top spot.

Despite being the more dominant side, registering 31 shots on goal and seven on target, Abel Ferreira's men could not find the back of the net as the likes of Raphael Veiga and Rony failed to make any major impact.

For all their struggles in the league, Palmeiras are making waves in the Copa Libertadores, where they are on course to secure the prestigious title for the third time in their history, after defeating Sao Paulo to book a place in the competition's semi-final.

The White-Green are formidable on home turf, having won six out of their nine matches at Allianz Parque, and notching up 17 goals in that time to seal their place as the third-best home side in the league.

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Also faring really well on the continental stage, Athletico Paranaense are in the last four of the Copa Sudamericana, following a hard-fought 4-3 aggregate quarter-final win over Ecuadorian Serie A outfit LDU Quito.

Having recently booked a place in the semi-final of the Copa do Brasil as well, El Paranaense can now switch focus to the Brasileiro for the time being where they occupy ninth place in the table, with 22 points in 17 matches.

They enjoyed a solid start to the league campaign, notching up 19 points from their opening nine games before suffering a dip in form that saw them lose five of their subsequent seven fixtures.

On the road, Antonio Oliveira's men have been underwhelming, as they remain without a win in each of their preceding four away games.

When it comes to recent head-to-head record between these two sides, Palmeiras have the edge, with four wins from their last five meetings, including a comfortable 3-0 triumph last time around.

Team News

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Having missed out on the previous game against Cuiaba through suspension, Patrick is set to make a return to the starting lineup, with Ze Rafael likely to make way for the 21-year-old midfielder.

Abel Ferreira may ditch his favoured 4-2-3-1 for the 3-4-3 formation that helped his side comfortably see off Sao Paulo in the quarter-final of the Copa Libertadores.

With Vinicius Silvestre still out on the sidelines, Weverton, who has kept three clean sheets in four appearances, should continue in goal. Jorge is injured and unavailable for selection.

Athletico Paranaense's Matheus Babi and Lucas Halter are unlikely to be fit for this fixture, as they continue their recuperation from respective knee and foot injuries.

Renato Kayser registered a goal last time out, and is expected to lead the line again, with the likes of Nikao, David Terans and Vitinho providing support from midfield.

Thiago Heleno picked up a red card against Corinthians and is suspended for this fixture, opening up a slot for Ze Ivaldo in central defence.

Palmeiras possible starting lineup:
Weverton; Luan, Gomez, Renan; Rocha, Danilo, Patrick, Wesley; Veiga, Rony, Dudu

Athletico Paranaense possible starting lineup:
Santos; Khellven, Henrique, Ivaldo, Abner; Christian, Erick; Nikao, Terans, Vitinho; Kayser

We say: Palmeiras 2-1 Athletico Paranaense

Though these two teams are in poor form at the moment, Palmeiras are faring slightly better than Athletico Paranaense, and are favorites to come away with all three points.

Given that these sides are desperate for a win, we are in for an attacking treat here, and Palestra's rampant frontline should help them to victory to close in on league leaders Atletico Mineiro.