América-MG vs Corinthians Prediction: Is the Corinthians’ improvement real?

This Round 9 match promises to be very interesting. It’s a face-to-face meeting between two teams that have not started the Brasileirão well. América is in penultimate place and Corinthians is in 14th. The team from São Paulo seems to be improving its performance, however, if Corinthians doesn't get a good result against a struggling América, it may work like a reality check for them.

The Rabbit is having a poor championship so far. The 19th place in the table sounded the alarm at the Independência. The team has already conceded 20 goals in 8 rounds and is at this point the worst defense in the Brasileirão. In other competitions, qualification for the next phase of the Copa Sudamericana is unlikely but this week América reached the quarter-finals of the Copa do Brasil. América lost 3-1 away against Internacional but won in the penalty shoot-out. In the last game of the championship, América lost 2-0 against the leader Botafogo in Rio. The only victory in the Série A of the Belo Horizonte team was at home against Fortaleza in Round 7. 

Defenders Marcinho and Maidaina are suspended after receiving the 3rd yellow card.

Timão is the big disappointment so far of the Brasileirão. Two wins, 8 points and a gray 14th place reflect Corinthians' current instability. However, a win in the last round against Fluminense and qualification in the Copa do Brasil against Atlético MG after losing the first match, show some signs that Corinthians is rising. This match against América is an opportunity for Vanderlei Luxemburgo's team to get their first away win and confirm that they are really improving.

Central defender Gil is suspended and will miss the game.

Both teams need points; América has to get out of the relegation zone as fast as possible, Corinthians must climb to places more worthy of their prestige. It's not a game with a clear favorite. In my opinion Corinthians won't lose the game, the team knows that a defeat against América will increase the pressure over them. Last season América won at home by 1-0. Therefore, I will use a double chance for Corinthians.