Criciúma vs Atlético Mineiro Prediction: Atlético will face a motivated opponent

Criciúma will host Atlético Mineiro after defeating Juventude away in the last round. It was the first home defeat for the Gaúchos, so the Cricúma victory was significant. Atlético is currently in ninth place with 28 points and needs a victory to climb the table.

The 2-1 victory in Caxias do Sul ended a five-match winless streak, so the players must feel relieved. Criciúma climbed to 12th place in the standings with 21 points. The relegation zone is only three points below, but the Catarinenses have two games in hand. Yannick Bolasie boosted his confidence after scoring two goals against Juventude and could help his team against Atlético. The Tiger hasn’t lost at home in six matches without a loss and will try to extend the unbeaten record. 

A 2-2 draw in the first leg of the Copa do Brasil Round of 16 against a Série B team, which played 35 minutes with ten men, is not impressive. The Mineiros conceded two goals in the opening seven minutes but equalized with goals from Paulinho and Scarpa. Next week, the Rooster must play better against CRB to qualify for the quarter-finals. Atlético is unbeaten in the last four matches, with one draw and three wins, including a 2-1 victory over Corinthians in the previous round. As a result, Atlético Mineiro currently sits ninth in the Série A standings with 28 points and hopes to reach the Copa Libertadores zone soon. Hulk, Everson, Lemos, and Alisson are sidelined due to injuries, while Lyanco will serve a suspension after a red card against Corinthians. 

Atlético Mineiro has a squad full of good players but is having an unimpressive season. The Belo Horizonte club is still in the Copa do Brasil and Copa Libertadores and perhaps has a better chance of winning a title in these competitions than in the Brasileirão. It won't be easy to beat Criciúma without Hulk, the team's most influential player. The home side is confident following its away win against Juventude, so it will be determined to beat the Mineiros. It's a game where anything can happen, so I'll go for a draw.