Athletico-PR vs Corinthians Prediction: The Paranenses are the favorites

Athletico missed the chance to beat Botafogo on the road after controlling the whole game. The Curitiba side played very well and outplayed the team leading the competition in the previous round but conceded the equalizer in the 98th minute. It was the second consecutive game that the Paranaenses conceded an equalizer from a corner kick in the last minute. The same happened against Flamengo in Round 9. Looking at the glass half full, Athletico came close to winning the matches against the first and second-placed teams in the Brasileirão.

Despite coach Cuca not being on the bench due to his red card against Flamengo, the Paranaenses showed great character at the Nilton Santos. Botafogo always found it difficult to impose its football, and Cuca's strategy worked perfectly. The pressure exerted by Athletico's players in advanced areas made it very complicated for Botafogo to build up play. On the offensive level, the Hurricane was always very objective and created several dangerous chances. Athletico scored in the 53rd minute through Mastriani and managed to hold off Botafogo's attacks without too much trouble for the entire second half, but failed to mark Bastos in the last move of the game. Hosting Corinthians, the team will be looking to return to the victories after two frustrating results.

The Timão is in the relegation zone along with other giants of Brazilian football. Vasco, Grêmio, and Fluminense are other illustrious clubs going through difficult times. Corinthians lost 1-0 to Internacional in Florianópolis and recorded another mediocre game. The Paulistas have never managed to break through the defensive wall of Inter, which has the best defense in the league. Corinthians has just seven points and has only won one game, against Fluminense. The team lacks quality players, and with the financial difficulties the club is going through, the results aren't likely to be much different any time soon. A draw at the Ligga Arena would be a good result, but victories are needed to get the team out of the danger zone.

Athletico-PR is the team with the most points won as host. In five games at the Ligga Arena, the Hurricane has four victories and one draw, with leader Flamengo. Corinthians is still yet to win on the road, and it would be surprising to do it at the Paranaenses' stadium. I'm backing Athletico to win, as the side is in fourth place but can still climb in the standings.