Preview: Bragantino vs. Athletico Paranaense - prediction, team news, lineups
:Headline: Preview: Bragantino vs. Athletico Paranaense - prediction, team news, lineups:
Sports Mole previews Wednesday's Copa do Brasil clash between Bragantino and Athletico Paranaense, including predictions, team news and possible lineups.
Braga need a three-goal victory in 90 minutes to win the tie, but they could force a nervy penalty shootout if they win by two goals.
Match preview
Massa went into last week's fixture in Parana keen to keep the tie close after the first 90 minutes of the last 16, only for two first-half concessions to leave them staring elimination.
Pedro Caixinha's side let in two goals inside seven minutes to put them in a precarious position heading into this week's reverse match.
While a two-goal deficit is not unassailable, it is imperative that Braga starts strongly on their turf and avoid defensive mistakes to at least force penalties.
That is no guarantee of success, but it gives the home side a fighting chance of avoiding a last-16 exit in the domestic cup against Athletico.
Having already scored three home goals in their round of 32 match against Sousa, a repeat would be just what the doctor ordered for Bragantino.
Visiting Sao Paulo are an El Paranaense side keen to protect their 2-0 lead from last week's meeting in Parana.
Goals from Bruno Zapelli and Christian sent Martin Varini's men into a decent advantage before this week's reverse meeting as the 2019 cup champions seek a place in the quarter-final.
Despite the small sample size of one tie, Athletico are seemingly building their cup progress on securing unassailable wins on home turf to mitigate possible defeats on the road.
They overturned a 2-1 loss at Ypiranga to notch a 3-0 victory in Parana in the previous round and hope last week's 2-0 triumph over Braga suffices regardless of the outcome on Wednesday.
Only twice have the visitors been defeated by two goals in this calendar year — 2-0 league defeats at Gremio and Cruzeiro in April and June, respectively — and El Paranaense seek to avoid a third at Bragantino to book a last-eight spot.
Felipinho has been absent for Athletico since featuring in the league draw with Flamengo, and the midfielder is not expected to play any part on Wednesday.
The away side have had six different goalscorers in the cup, with Agustin Canobbio, Fernandinho, Julimar, Lucas Di Yorio, Zapelli and Christian finding the net for a side that seeks solutions from multiple players.
Athletico Paranaense possible starting lineup: Linck; Rocha, Gamarra, Esquivel; Erick, Christian, Fernandinho; Nikao, Zapelli, Julimar; Di Yorio
We say: Bragantino 1-0 Athletico Paranaense (Athletico Paranaense to win 2-1 on aggregate)
While they may suffer a second-leg defeat against Braga, Athletico's seeming ability to avoid heavy losses on the road should stand them in good stead on Wednesday and secure a quarter-final place.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
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