Cuiabá vs Goiás Prediction: A tactical battle ahead

Cuiabá and Goiás have defensive organization as their main characteristic, and both teams have Portuguese coaches. A real tactical battle between António Oliveira and Armando Evangelista is anticipated, with both looking to pick up points. The home team is a bit more comfortable with a six-point lead over Goiás, which has 30 points and is in the relegation zone.

The Dourado returned to winning ways away from home by beating Coritiba 3-0 and is now 10th in the table, overtaking São Paulo. The fight to escape relegation is getting more intense, with half of the Série A teams involved. With this triumph, Cuiabá managed to improve its situation and is now four points ahead of 12th-placed Internacional, which leads the pack of teams at the bottom of the table. In its last three games, the Auriverde won two and drew one, scoring six goals and conceding none, returning to a high competitive level after a negative period. Another win in this round would be another step towards safety, but António Oliveira is unlikely to risk too much, even if the aim is to get three points. With a draw, Cuiabá will maintain a six-point lead over a team in the relegation zone, so it's important not to lose.

After an abnormal result at home to Bahia, which ended with Goiás losing 6-4, the team returned to its usual level of organization in the last game. A 2-0 win against São Paulo was the best thing that could happen to the Esmeraldino, which only failed to get out of the relegation zone because Bahia and Vasco da Gama also won. Hugo scored the first goal, probably a future candidate for the Puskás Award. The team from Goiânia will go to the Arena Pantanal looking to defend well and take at least a point. In its last five games on the road, Goiás has only lost once, 1-0 against Palmeiras.

Although Cuiabá, playing at home and more comfortable in the standings, is favored in this game, I won't bet on the home team. It will probably be a very tactical game in which both teams won't want to take risks. That's why I'm betting on a draw.