A crucial game takes place at the top of the Campeonato Brasileiro Serie A table on Saturday, as Athletico Paranaense play host to Bragantino.

The home side currently occupy third spot in the Brazilian top flight, while their opponents sit three points ahead in second place, having played a game more.

Match preview

Athletico Paranaense enjoyed a strong start to the league season, winning their first four games to move to the summit of the table.

That run was broken by a 2-1 defeat at the hands of Bahia, followed by a somewhat disappointing 2-2 draw at home to newly-promoted Chapecoense.

Antonio Oliveira's men did bounce back with back-to-back wins though, firstly thrashing Fluminense 4-1 as Richard, Vitinho, Ze Ivaldo and Nikao all got on the scoresheet after Fred's early opener for their opponents.

El Paranaense then defeated Fortaleza 2-1 on home turf, having led 2-0 throughout thanks to early goals from David Terans and Matheus Babi before Igor Torres netted a late goal in vain for the visitors.

However, the Rubro-Negro come into Saturday's came on the back of a narrow defeat, having fallen to Santos away from home last time out in their ninth league game of the campaign.

Marcos Guilherme opened the scoring for the hosts, but a 45th-minute Fernando Canesin equaliser saw Oliveira's side go into the break level, only for a Ze Ivaldo own goal early in the second half to see the game finish 2-1 and ensure El Paranaense were unable to move back into the top two.

With their opponents sitting three points ahead, the Rubro-Negro now have another chance to climb the table, with a win on Saturday seeing them leapfrog Bragantino and potentially move back to the top of the table depending on Palmeiras' result.

The visitors will look to ensure that does not happen and instead stretch the gap between the two sides to six points, while waiting to pounce on any slip from league leaders Palmeiras.

They have sat at the top end of the table throughout the entirety of the season, having collected 22 points from their 10 league games so far.

Bragantino come into the game as the only side in the Brazilian top flight to remain without a defeat, winning six of their games and drawing the other four.

That includes a run of four straight victories in the second half of June, defeating Corinthians, Flamengo, Palmeiras and Atletico Goianiense to move to the top of the table.

Mauricio Barbieri's side have since collected five points from the last three games, firstly drawing 0-0 with Ceara before goals from Alerrandro and Artur fired them to a 2-1 away win over Sao Paulo.

The Massa Bruta most recently looked set to defeat Cuiaba 1-0 thanks to Bruno Praxedes's goal on the half-hour mark, only for a Jenison to draw the visitors level in the 78th minute.

They will now look to make a return to winning ways to hugely improve their standing at the top end of the table, as they aim to leapfrog Palmeiras, who sit level on points and only lead on goal difference, should the league leaders fail to win on Saturday.

Team News

Having gone above and beyond expectations so far this season, El Paranaense should stick with a familiar side for Saturday's game, despite a disappointing defeat last time out.

The line will be led by Matheus Babi, who has recorded three goals and an assist in eight league appearances so far this season.

He will be supported by Fernando Canesin, who drew Oliveira's men level against Santos before defender Ze Ivaldo scored an own goal.

Bragantino will continue to adjust to life without forward Jan Hurtado, who recently returned to Boca Juniors after a loan spell in Brazil.

The line will instead be led by Ytalo, who has hit four goals and three assists in the first 10 league games of the season.

Nineteen-year-old midfielder Bruno Praxedes will line up in midfield with confidence, having scored the opening goal against Cuiaba last time out.

Athletico Paranaense possible starting lineup:
Santos; Henrique, Heleno, Ivaldo; Marcinho, Richard, Christian, Abner; Canesin, Babi, Vitinho

Bragantino possible starting lineup:
Schwengber; Weverton, Bruno, Natan, Edimar; Praxedes, Raul; Artur, Ramires, Helinho; Ytalo

We say: Athletico Paranaense 1-2 Bragantino

In what could be the pick of the Brasileiro games this weekend, Saturday's clash could definitely go either way as two in-form sides square off, and we give the slight edge to the visitors to continue their formidable start to the season.

Barbieri's side have looked strong throughout the entirety of the campaign, and they should have the quality to get back to winning ways and move further clear of El Paranaense.

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