Criciúma vs RB Bragantino Prediction: Both teams need to win

Criciúma and Bragantino are going through a negative period and are dangerously approaching the relegation zone. While Criciúma has not won in three games, Red Bull is winless for five league matches. The Bragança Paulista side has only won one game in its last nine matches in all competitions. It was against Corinthians in the Copa do Brasil, but RB Bragantino ultimately lost on penalties.

The Tiger lost 1-0 at home to Grêmio, letting the tie slip away in the 86th minute. The Catarinenses had managed to avoid a home defeat in the previous round against Vasco da Gama by equalizing in the 94th minute, but the visitors were better this time. The next meeting with Bragantino will be Criciúma's third straight at home in a postponed game from Round 19. Criciúma is in 15th place with two games in hand, three points above the Z4. Failing to win all three games at the Heriberto Hülse would be discouraging. Tencati's team had a positive start to the season but has lost some confidence lately.

The Massa Bruta is far from last season's success when it was involved in the fight for the title in the last third of the Brasileirão. Things aren't going well this year, and the team looks weaker in comparison. The high number of injuries doesn't help the side either. In the last round, Bragantino lost 2-1 to Flamengo at the Maracanã, where the team had eleven missing players due to injuries and suspensions. 14th place is worrying, and coach Pedro Caixinha will ask his players to react in Criciúma.

It's not easy to predict the result between two teams going through a period of low confidence. Criciúma has picked up one point from two consecutive home matches, while Bragantino hasn't won for five games. Both sides are under pressure to win, and nerves could come into play. I'm going for a draw, as I don't see any team as a clear favorite.