Cuiabá vs Athletico-PR Prediction: Expect a balanced game

Cuiabá and Athletico-PR played in midweek for the Copa Sudamericana and had different fates. Cuiabá lost at home to Palestino and ended up eliminated from the competition, while Athletico Paranense qualified for the Round of 16 after beating Cerro Portenõ 2-1 in Curitiba. Due to these international matches, both teams did not play in the last round of the Brasileirão.

After a draw in Chile, the Golden Dorado fans weren't expecting a defeat at home to Palestino. The Chileans scored after 8 minutes and gained confidence, while Cuiabá got nervous and never had the composure to turn the game around. Cuiabá is a team that defends and counter-attacks well, but when it has to take control of the game and create chances, it struggles against very defensive sides. Petit's team is one place above the relegation zone and has dropped in performance in recent games. The defeat to Palestino was the Matogrossenses' second in consecutive home games after losing to Fluminense. They need to react, but opponents are motivated.

The Hurricane advanced in the Copa Sudamericana after a tricky knockout round against Cerro Porteño. The Paranaenses had drawn in Paraguay and were in an advantageous position to secure qualification. Athletico was leading 2-0 with goals from Mastriani and Cuello but conceded a goal to Cerro in the 68th minute, two minutes after a red card for Zapelli. The Curitiba team will now face Bragantino in the Round of 16 in a Brazilian clash. Before that, the Paranaenses travel to Cuiabá to win and try to improve in their current eighth place.

Cuiabá is a rather inconsistent team, so it's not easy to predict the outcome of this game. The Mato-Grossenses are dangerous when they have space to counter but aren't creative enough when they meet teams that play deep defense. If Athletico-PR adopts a defensive posture, it could create problems for Cuiabá. I'm betting on a Double Chance in favor of the Paranaenses with a maximum of three goals scored.