Atletico Mineiro will host Gremio in a rearranged Brasileiro Gameweek Six fixture this Thursday night at Arena MRV. Both teams find themselves in a vital mid-table battle, with Atletico sitting in 10th place with 37 points, and Gremio trailing closely behind with 35 points, having played one more game.
Match Preview
Atletico Mineiro, who finished third last season, are unlikely to replicate their success from 2021 when they were crowned champions. With just nine wins, 10 draws, and eight losses from 27 matches, they trail fourth-placed Flamengo by 14 points. In their last match, Atletico played out a thrilling 2-2 draw against Vitoria, showcasing their ability to battle but also their inconsistency this season.
Despite their league struggles, Gabriel Milito’s side is having a successful campaign in cup competitions, securing spots in the semifinals of both the Copa Libertadores and Copa do Brasil. They will face River Plate in the continental competition at the end of the month, while they already hold a 2-1 advantage in the domestic cup against Vasco da Gama ahead of their second leg on October 19.
While a top-four league finish may be out of reach, Atletico will look to build momentum to push for a potential cup double.
Meanwhile, Gremio has fought their way back into the mid-table mix and are also eyeing a spot in next season’s Copa Sudamericana. Their season has been hampered by having to play away from home due to severe flooding in southern Brazil, but they have still managed to stabilize their form.
In their last game, Gremio impressed with a 3-1 home win over title challengers Fortaleza, thanks to goals from Alexander Aravena, Martin Braithwaite, and Yeferson Soteldo. They are now unbeaten in five consecutive away games, a major turnaround from their previous poor form on the road.
The last meeting between these two sides was a 3-2 thriller, with all five goals scored in the final 15 minutes. Atletico won that encounter, but Gremio will be looking for revenge in this one.
Team News
Atletico Mineiro will be without key players due to international duties, as Junior Alonso, Eduardo Vargas, and Alan Franco have all been called up by their national teams. Additionally, goalkeeper Everson is suspended following a red card in the last match, and the team is also dealing with a number of injuries.
On the bright side, Atletico’s top scorers, Hulk and Paulinho, are available for the game and will look to lead the line in attack.
Gremio will also be affected by the international break, with Yeferson Soteldo and Mathias Villasanti unavailable. Joao Pedro and Fabio da Silva are suspended due to disciplinary issues, while Gustavo Martins and Andre Henrique remain sidelined through injury.
Predicted Lineups
Atletico Mineiro possible starting lineup: Mendes; Saravia, Battaglia, Lyanco, Rubens; Scarpa, Otavio, Vera, Gomes; Paulinho, Hulk
Gremio possible starting lineup: Marchesin; Schlemper, Jemerson, Kannemann, Reinaldo; Dodi, Pepe, Edenilson; Cristaldo, Braithwaite, Aravena
Prediction: Atletico Mineiro 2-2 Gremio
While Atletico Mineiro will have the advantage of playing at home, Gremio’s solid recent form on the road makes this a difficult game to call. Both teams are expected to find the back of the net, but a draw seems the most likely outcome, with neither side able to pull away at the final whistle.
