Athletico-PR vs Cruzeiro Prediction: The Paranaenses are in deep trouble

Athletico is going through a difficult season and needs to turn things around quickly, or the club could fall into the Série B. Eliminations from both the Copa do Brasil and the Copa Sudamericana seem to have demotivated the team, which hasn't won in the league for eleven matches. Several manager changes have also caused instability among the players.

Lucho González has the difficult task of giving confidence to his players, who, at the moment, are mentally beaten. With nine games to play in the Brasileirão, the Paranaense have to fight their apathy. In midweek, Athletico lost 1-0 to Fluminense at the Maracanã in a postponed match from Round 17. It was the fourth consecutive defeat and another poor game from the Curitiba side, who defended almost exclusively, ending the game with 24% possession. The Hurricane is in 18th place with 31 points and one game in hand. The Paranaenses depend on themselves to get out of the relegation zone, but they must show more confidence and will to win.

Coach Fernando Diniz arrived at the club a month ago, but the fans' enthusiasm has given way to doubts. Cruzeiro has drawn four and lost one, with Diniz in charge. In the first leg of the Copa Sudamericana semi-finals, the Miners conceded a draw at home to Lanús and now must win in Argentina to reach the final. Kaio Jorge opened the scoring for Cruzeiro in the 50th minute, but in the 73rd minute, the visitors equalized through Carrera. In the Brasileirão, the Fox is in eighth place with 44 points and still has a chance of qualifying for the Copa Libertadores. The pressure on the coach is high, and Cruzeiro needs a good result against Athletico despite playing against Lanús a few days later.

Anything can happen in this game, as no team is the favorite. Athletico Paranaense is in a terrible moment, but Cruzeiro will decide the passage to the Copa Sudamericana final in midweek, and it's hard to believe that the Miners will fight to the end for victory in Curitiba. It's more likely that the Paranaenses will show a more combative spirit because they're in the relegation zone. I'm betting on a Double Chance favoring Athletico with a maximum of three goals scored.