Atlético Mineiro vs Criciúma Prediction: It will be a big surprise if the Miners don't win

Atlético-MG showed at the Corinthians stadium that it is a team to be taken seriously in this Brasileirão. The draw was a good result, considering that the Miners played with one player less for more than half the encounter. Battaglia was sent off just before half-time, but the team managed to hold on to the 0-0 scoreline with class. Facing Criciúma, the Rooster is the clear favorite.

With three rounds in one week, the Brasileirão requires all teams to prepare for the short rest between games. A few days after hosting Criciúma, Atlético will play at home again and host rival Cruzeiro, so it could be a fantastic week for the Rooster if it manages to pick up two wins, one of them in a classic. It's with the intention of a perfect week that Milito's men will take on Criciúma, a team promoted from the Série B. Since the Argentine took over at Atlético Mineiro, the Belo Horizonte side has been playing well, and it will be a big surprise if it fails to take all three points in this game.

The Tiger drew at home with Juventude in a clash between teams recently promoted to the Série A. Criciúma scored first but allowed the visitors to draw level. Cláudio Tencati's team didn't play a convincing game and looked a little nervous, perhaps feeling the pressure of the Brasileirão opener. The Santa Catarina side will likely have a tough time against Atlético Mineiro.

Both teams drew their opening matches, but the impression they left was quite different. While Atlético drew at the Neo Química Arena with ten men for the entire second half, Criciúma struggled at home to Juventude in an eventual direct clash in the relegation battle. The difference in quality between the two teams is considerable, so I'm backing the Miners to win with a maximum of four goals in the game.