Atletico Goiniense will go head to head with Sao Paulo in the first leg of an all-Brazillian Copa Sudamericana semi-final.
The hosts will be looking to reach the final for the first time in their history, while Sao Paulo previously won the competition in 2012.
Goiniense may be currently sitted three points adrift of safety in the Brasileiro Seria A table, but thet have enjoyed a successful campaign in the Copa Sudamericana. However, as a result of their poor league form, Jorginho was dismissed off his duty following the weekend’s 2-1 defeat to local rivals Goias.
After picking up 13 points from their six group matches, Goiniense won a penalty shootout to eliminate Olimpia, while they progressed through their quarter-finals tie, beating Argentina’s Nacional 4-0 on aggregate.
Despite losing their last four matches across all competitions, they have won all of their five home matches in the Copa Sudamericana this season, keeping clean sheets in four of those victories.
Meanwhile, Sao Paulo are looking to reach the Copa Sudamericana final for the second time in their history after they had previously won the competition in 2012.
Their legend and current manager Rogerio Ceni featured as a player in their winning campaign 10 years ago, but the former goalkeeper will be aiming to lead his side to the final from the dugout this time around.
While the visitors progressed through the group stage thanks to five wins and a draw, they have been taken to penalties in their two knockout ties.
After succeeding on spot kicks against Deportivo Tachira and Ceara, Sao Paulo will hope to successfully negotiate a semi-final tie against an Atletico Goiniense side they have already defeated 2-1 this season.
Ceni’s side will also be looking to stop a poor run of results after losing their last three matches across all competitions.
Atletico Goiniense vs Sao Paulo head to head
The two teams have previously met on 13 occasions across all competitions, where Goiniense have claimed four victories while Sao Paulo have won six, and they have drawn in three. In their last five meetings, Sao Paulo have won three while Goiniense have won two.
Sao Paulo 3-0 Atletico Goiniense 08/10/20
Atletico Goiniense 2-1 Sao Paulo 31/01/21
Atletico Goiniense 2-0 Sao Paulo 06/06/21
Sao Paulo 2-1 Atletico Goiniense 19/09/21
Atletico Goiniense 1-2 Sao Paulo 03/07/22
Atletico Goiniense latest home form
Atletico Goiniense have recently been on a good run of form at home, having been unbeaten in their four most recent matches. They played out a 1-1 draw with Cuiaba in their last home game in the league. In their last five matches, they have scored eight goals and conceded three.
Atletico Goiniense 0-1 America Mineiro 25/07/22
Atletico Goiniense 2-0 Corinthians 28/07/22
Atletico Goiniense 2-1 RB Bragantino 07/08/22
Atletico Goiniense 3-0 Nacional 10/08/22
Atletico Goiniense 1-1 Cuiaba 22/08/22
Atletico Goiniense latest away form
Atletico Goiniense have recently failed to keep a good run of form on the road, having won just one of their six most recent matches. They lost 2-1 to Goias in their last away game in the league. In their last five matches, they have scored four goals and conceded 10.
Flamengo 4-1 Atletico Goiniense 31/07/22
Nacional 0-1 Atletico Goiniense 03/08/22
Botafogo 0-0 Atletico Goiniense 14/08/22
Corinthians 4-1 Atletico Goiniense 18/08/22
Goias 2-1 Atletico Goiniense 27/08/22
Sao Paulo latest home form
Sao Paulo have recently failed to keep a good run of form at home, having won just two of their five most recent matches. They lost 1-0 to Fortaleza in their last home game in the league. In their last five matches, they have scored five goals and conceded six.
Sao Paulo 1-0 Ceara 04/08/22
Sao Paulo 0-2 Flamengo 07/08/22
Sao Paulo 3-0 RB Bragantino 14/08/22
Sao Paulo 1-3 Flamengo 25/08/22
Sao Paulo 0-1 Fortaleza 28/08/22
Sao Paulo latest away form
Sao Paulo have recently failed to keep a good run of form on the road, having won just one of their five most recent matches. They lost 1-0 to Santos in their last away game in the league. In their last five matches, they have scored six goals and conceded nine.
Internacional 3-3 Sao Paulo 21/07/22
Athletico Paranaense 1-0 Sao Paulo 31/07/22
Ceara 2-1(P) Sao Paulo 11/08/22
America Mineiro 2-2 Sao Paulo 19/08/22
Santos 1-0 Sao Paulo 22/08/22
Atletico Goiniense news
Atletico Goiniense will take to the pitch without the services of Ramon Menezes, Tonaldo and Emerson Santos, who are ruled out for the season with injury issues.
Hayner suspension will only apply in league competition and will be available, while Shaylon could be brought into the starting XI for the semi-final tie.
Sao Paulo news
Gabriel Neves and Miranda will be out of contention for the visitors due to ankle problems, while Luan Santos and Andre Anderson are also set to miss out through injury issues.
Nikao is also a doubt for this contest after he was forced out in the third minute of Saturday’s league encounter with Fortaleza.
Prediction and Odds
Although their manager was sacked following the weekend’s defeat, we think that an Atletico Goiniense side will be capable of edging out Sao Paulo.
Having won each of their home matches in the Copa Sudamericana this season, we back the hosts to take a narrow lead into the second leg.
Odds: 1 2.10 X 2.05 2 2.30
Probable outcomes
Atletico Goiniense 1-0 Sao Paulo
Atletico Goiniense 2-0 Sao Paulo
Atletico Goiniense 2-1 Sao Paulo
Atletico Goiniense 0-0 Sao Paulo
Atletico Goiniense 1-1 Sao Paulo
