Preview: Palmeiras vs. Atletico Mineiro - prediction, team news, lineups

Atletico Mineiro will travel to Allianz Parque to face Palmeiras, and the visitors have one hand on the league trophy as they sit eight points clear at the top.

The hosts head into the contest in third place and look set to finish in the top four, but they will be aiming to get back to winning ways after losing their last two games.

Match preview

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Palmeiras will have one eye on their Copa Libertadores final that takes place on Saturday, when they face Atletico Mineiro in midweek.

Tuesday's hosts will face Flamengo in the final, and they will be hoping to prepare for that important fixture with a positive result against Atletico Mineiro.

After winning six consecutive games, Palmeiras suffered three defeats in a row, with the most recent loss coming at the weekend, when they travelled to Fortaleza.

A first-half effort from Robson was enough to condemn Palmeiras to their seventh away defeat in the league this season, and they will want to avoid another loss on Tuesday as they aim to build confidence ahead of Saturday's final.

Palmeiras can draw upon recent experience as they eliminated Atletico Mineiro on away goals in the Copa Libertadores semi final, courtesy of a 1-1 away draw after the first leg finished goalless, and they would be content with a point on Tuesday.

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Atletico Mineiro are edging ever closer to the title, and they look to set to claim the championship in style with the visitors looking for their sixth consecutive victory on Tuesday.

Impressively, the league leaders have also kept four consecutive clean sheets, and the latest shutout came at the weekend when Atletico Mineiro won 2-0 at home to Juventude.

Despite dominating the contest, it took 72 minutes for Cuca's side to break the deadlock, with Hulk opening the scoring after dispatching his spot kick and the 35-year-old grabbed his second of the game five minutes later to seal all three points.

As well as winning the league, Hulk could finish the season as the top scorer in the Campeonato Brasileiro, and he will look to add to his 14 league goals when he takes to the field against Palmeiras.

The visitors have picked up 26 points on the road this season, which is the highest away tally in the league, and they will be aiming to collect their ninth win on their travels on Tuesday.

Team News

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With the Copa Libertadores final taking place on Saturday, Abel Ferreira could rest key players ahead of that crucial fixture.

That could mean that Rony and Raphael Veiga drop to the bench, with the Copa Libertadores taking priority.

If changes are made it could result in a starting place for Luiz Adriano, who may come into the side to lead the line.

There will be no resting of players for Atletico Mineiro with their sights set firmly on the title.

After Rever was withdrawn in the first half at the weekend, it is likely that Ignacio Fernandez will take his place in the starting lineup.

Jair has started the last two fixtures, and he is expected to continue in midfield on Tuesday.

Palmeiras possible starting lineup:
Weverton; Rocha, Kuscevic, Renan, Jorge; Fernandes, De Paula, Danilo; Breno, Willian, Adriano

Atletico Mineiro possible starting lineup:
Everson; Mariano, Nathan, Fernandez, Arana; Jair, Allan, Zaracho; Hulk, Keno, Costa

We say: Palmeiras 1-3 Atletico Mineiro

Palmeiras could be distracted heading into this fixture, while Atletico Mineiro will be fully focused on the job in hand, and we think the visitors will edge closer to the title with a victory on Tuesday.

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