Prediction: Corinthians vs America MG

Verdict: Corinthians to qualify 

Best Odds: 21/20

Bookmaker: Luckster

With a Copa do Brasil semi-final ticket still hanging in the balance this weekend, Corinthians will welcome America MG to the Neo Quimica Arena on Saturday night.

Corinthians

Starting with the hosts, suffering a first-leg 1-0 loss when they travelled to America MG earlier in the month, Corinthians will certainly be excited by the prospect of returning to the Neo Quimica Arena this weekend. Picking up some perfect momentum in midweek while on Copa Sudamericana duties as they claimed a 1-0 victory against Universitario de Deportes, the Timao are now trying to find some stability. Remarkably still battling it out in the bottom-half of the Serie A standings, it is no secret that Vanderlei Luxemburgo’s men have come under increasing scrutiny this season. Nevertheless, recording back-to-back victories for the first time since returning from June’s international break, Corinthians have still largely impressed on home soil. Including that Copa Sudamericana victory against Universitario earlier in the week, Saturday’s hosts have suffered just a single defeat from their previous eight showdowns in front of their own supporters.

Team News

Both still dealing with extended injury issues, Corinthians will once again be without the duo of Gustavo Mosquito and Leo Natel on Saturday night. However, returning from his own knock last week, one-time Beijing Guoan midfielder Renato Augusto will could make a first start since the start of June.

Bagging the winner against Universitario de Deportes earlier in the week, 19-year-old Felipe Augusto will be hoping to keep his spot here. Missing out on Copa Sudamericana in midweek, Cassio will certainly return between the sticks this weekend.

America MG

As for the visitors, claiming that gritty 1-0 victory when they welcomed Corinthians to town for their first-leg meet on July 5th, America MG will feel that they are sat in the driving seat this weekend. However, remarkably sat rock-bottom of the Serie A standings and suddenly tipped as a leading relegation contender in 2023, Vagner Mancini does find mounting pressure on his shoulders. Mustering just a pair of wins from any of their previous eight appearances across all competitions – a run that stems back to June 6th – the Rabbits have also failed to pick up any kind of momentum over the past week. Suffering a lively 2-1 loss away at Colo Colo while on Copa Sudamericana duties earlier in the week, America MG have shipped five strikes in their back-to-back defeats. Likewise, mustering just a single away victory so far this season, Mancini’s side should face a tough second-leg showdown here.

Team News

America MG have confirmed that they will be without the quartet of Ricardo Silva, Mikael Filipe, Dada Belmonte and Adyson when they travel to the Neo Quimica Arena on Saturday night. Settling for a spot on the bench away at Colo Colo in midweek, former Sport Recife defender Everlado should be handed a full recall here.

Bagging that first-leg winner against Corinthians earlier in the month and now notching four goals in his previous six appearances across all competitions, 35-year-old Juninho will spearhead Mancini’s charge.

Key Factors to Consider

• When the two sides met for their first-leg meeting at the Independencia on July 5th, America MG picked up a 1-0 victory.
• Likewise, Saturday’s guests have won each of their last three straight meetings against Corinthians.
• However, the Rabbits have recorded just a pair of their previous eight appearances across all competitions – a run that stems back to June 6th.
• On a similar note, America MG have recorded just a single victory away from the Independencia so far this season.
• Corinthians have lost just one of their last eight showdowns on home soil – a run that stems back to May 2nd.

Conclusion

While America MG might open their second-leg showdown holding a marginal advantage, the Serie A strugglers should face a stern challenge here. Failing to pick up any momentum over the past week and suffering a 2-1 loss away at Colo Colo while on Copa Sudamericana a few days ago, Saturday’s guests have continued to gain a reputation for their issues on the road. Remarkably mustering just a sole win on their travels since opening the 2023 campaign, Corinthians should be smelling the chance to mount a second-leg comeback this weekend. Losing just a single matchup at the Neo Quimica Arena since the start of May, we are backing Luxemburgo’s men to punch their Copa do Brasil semi-final ticket here.

Verdict: Corinthians to qualify 

Best Odds: 21/20

Bookmaker: Luckster