America Mineiro take on Sport Recife in the Brasileiro on Monday in a key battle towards the bottom of the table.
Sport Recife, who currently occupy the first of four relegation places, can leapfrog America Mineiro in the table with a victory.
Match preview
For America Mineiro, who were promoted from Serie B as runners-up last season, surviving relegation is undoubtedly the main aim for this campaign.
That was evident in how quickly they chose to dismiss Lucas Goncalves, who had stepped up from his position as assistant manager to Jorge Sampaoli after the Argentinian left for Marseille at the end of last season.
Goncalves lasted only five league games in charge of the club, with only one point understandably considered an unacceptable return.
Indeed, so far changing managers has been a more than justifiable decision, with new boss Vagner Mancini guiding Coelho out of the relegation zone having initially taken eight points from his first four games in charge.
However, successive defeats to Fortaleza and Atletico Mineiro in their last two matches have perhaps shown that to be a bit of a new manager bounce rather than a long-term indication of where the playing squad is really at.
As such, Monday's home match against relegation rivals Sport Recife is likely to be considered a huge match in terms of recovering morale and belief within the squad.
Sport Recife, meanwhile, narrowly survived in their first season back in Brazil's top flight last season, showing their forthcoming opponents that it is certainly an achievable aim.
However, they cannot afford to take anything for granted, as their slow start to the current campaign starkly shows.
Umberto Louzer has failed to have the positive impact he would have liked since becoming manager in April, with the man who guided Chapecoense to promotion last season only winning four of his 16 matches in charge of his new club so far.
Indeed, Leao have failed to win any of their last seven league games, slipping into the relegation zone in the process, having been beaten 2-1 at home by Fluminense last time out.
A win in Belo Horizonte on Monday would rectify that, though, by guaranteeing they move out of the bottom four at the expense of their opponents.
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- D
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- L
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Team News
America Mineiro are likely to remain without Leo Passos, with the forward still suffering with a muscle injury.
Otherwise, though, Mancini appears to have a full squad available, with a few changes possible after consecutive defeats.
Sport, meanwhile, are unlikely to have Patric available due to the right-back's positive COVID-19 test.
Sander, Iago Maidana, Joao Igor and Leandro Barcia could all remain out through injury, too, but the quartet may return to action later in July.
America Mineiro possible starting lineup:
Cavichioli; Eduardo, Silva, Cardoso; Eduardo, Ricardo, Juninho, Ruschel; Nazario; Carlos Alberto, Ribamar
Sport Recife possible starting lineup:
Becker; Calegari, Manoel, Braz, Danilo; Martinelli, Wellington; Luiz Henrique, Ganso, Nene; Cazares
We say: America Mineiro 1-1 Sport Recife
We expect a closely fought affair in Belo Horizonte on Monday, with neither side wanting to lose against a fellow relegation rival.
As such, it would be little surprise to see a share of the spoils occur, which would be enough to keep the hosts outside of the relegation zone and the visitors within touching distance of escaping it.
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