Athletico-PR and Vasco face off at Arena da Baixada on Wednesday at 7:30 p.m. Brasília time in the 34th round of the Brasileirão. Athletico arrive without a win in their last three matches, a run of two defeats and a draw that has left them fifth with 54 points, outside the top four.
The hosts will seek to preserve their strong home record against Vasco in the league: Athletico have never lost to them at Arena da Baixada in the Brasileirão and have gone 13 matches, spanning 19 years, without a home defeat to the club.
Vasco are aiming to respond after losing to Flamengo in the league and to Palmeiras in the first leg of their Copa do Brasil semifinal. They have 38 points from 32 matches and remain in the fight to stay clear of the relegation zone. With their attention also on the cup competition, coach Pedro Emanuel’s side are looking to reach 45 points as soon as possible.
Athletico coach Odair Hellmann can call on right-back Gilberto Moraes and midfielder Jadson again after their suspensions. Both are expected to return to the starting lineup. Dantas could partner Aguirre and Arthur Dias in a reshaped defense, with Esquivel at left-back and Mendoza moving into attack. Vargas is also in contention to start in place of Leozinho.
A projected Athletico lineup is Mycael; Dantas, Aguirre and Arthur Dias; Gilberto Moraes, Benavídez, Luiz Gustavo, Jadson and Esquivel; Vargas, Viveros and Mendoza. Terán is unavailable for contractual reasons, while Claudinho is recovering from ACL surgery.
Vasco are also expected to make changes after the defeat to Palmeiras. Gabriel could join Robert Renan in central defense, while Brenner has been tried in different attacking roles and could replace Colidio or Bruno Duarte.
A projected Vasco lineup is Léo Jardim; Paulo Henrique, Gabriel, Robert Renan and Lucas Piton; Sosa, Thiago Mendes and Lescano; Andrés Gómez, Bruno Duarte and Colidio. Marino, who has a left-foot injury, and Cuesta, who has hip pain, are unavailable.
Ramon Abatti Abel, from Santa Catarina, will referee the match. Bruno Raphael Pires and Alexandre de Medeiros Lodetti are the assistant referees, with Daniel Nobre Bins leading the VAR team.
Sources: Globo Esporte.