Cuiabá vs Criciúma Prediction: A crucial game for the home team

Cuiabá and Criciúma aim to avoid relegation and will meet in a vital match for the Matogrossenses. Cuiabá is in second-to-last place and has a new coach following Petit's resignation. Bernardo Franco was appointed to get the team out of its difficult situation in the Brasileirão, where it hasn't won for six matches.

The Golden Dorado suffered a heavy 5-0 defeat away to Palmeiras in Petit's last game in charge. The coach submitted his resignation to the board, who immediately tried to sign António Oliveira. The coach had managed Cuiabá twice before, but this time he refused. In a surprising move, the Mato Grosso do Sul club appointed Bernardo Franco, a former Oliveira's assistant. The new coach's debut will be against Criciúma in a crucial game. Cuiabá is six points behind Fluminense, the first team out of the relegation zone, so only victory matters.

The Tiger defeated RB Bragantino 1-0 in a postponed match from Round 19. The game was midweek, so the Catarinenses won't have much time to rest before facing Cuiabá. Marcelo Hermes scored the goal in the 36th minute in a move in which the home team won all the rebounds. It wasn't a pretty game, but Criciúma's fighting spirit was decisive in securing victory. After the final whistle, coach Cláudio Tencati celebrated the triumph as his team climbed to 12th place with one game in hand. Recovery time is short, but the Coalmen are motivated.

Cuiabá hasn't won in eight games, including the two Copa Sudamericana games against Palestino, and has a new coach. Bernardo Franco will try to get the team out of the relegation zone, but for that to happen, the Matogrossenses need to win games quickly. It's crucial to beat Criciúma, and it would be an awful sign to fail against a direct opponent. Criciúma is confident after a midweek win over Bragantino, but the players may be tired. I'm betting on a Double Chance in favor of Cuiabá with a maximum of three goals scored.