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Athletico Paranaense will host Criciuma at the Ligga Arena on Thursday in another round of the 2024 Brasileirao Serie A campaign. The home side have struggled for results of late, although they remain fifth in the league table with 13 points from seven games.
They were beaten 1-0 by Fortaleza in their last match, falling behind just before the interval and failing to find a way back into the game despite an improved second-half display.
Criciuma meanwhile have endured a difficult return to the Brazilian top flight and currently find themselves in the drop zone in the early stages of the campaign. They were thrashed 5-2 by Cuiaba in their last league outing and had halved the deficit to 4-2 midway through the second half before a red card to Miguel Traco scuppered their chances of a dramatic comeback on home turf.
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The visitors sit 17th in the league table with five points from five games. They are just two points above last-placed Vitoria and will be looking to add to that tally this week.
Athletico Paranaense vs Criciuma Head-to-Head
- Thursday's game will mark the 20th meeting between Athletico Paranaense and Criciuma. The hosts have won 10 of their previous matchups while the visitors have won six times. There have been three draws between the two teams.
- The two sides last faced off in a Copa Sul-Minas-Rio match back in 2016 which the Furacao won 1-0 to record their third consecutive win in this fixture.
- The visitors are without a clean sheet in their last five games in this fixture.
- Athletico have conceded four goals in the Brasileirao Serie A this season. Only Internacional (3) have conceded fewer.
- Criciuma are one of five teams in the Brazilian top flight this season yet to taste defeat on the road.
Athletico Paranaense vs Criciuma Prediction
Athletico are on a three-game losing streak after losing just one of their previous seven matches. They have lost their last two home matches and will be looking to snap that streak on Thursday.
Criciuma, meanwhile, have lost their last four games on the bounce. They have struggled for results in this fixture of late and could see defeat here.
Prediction: Athletico Paranaense 1-0 Criciuma
Athletico Paranaense vs Criciuma Betting Tips
Tip 1 - Result: Athletico Paranaense to win
Tip 2 - Goals - Over/under 2.5 - Under 2.5 goals (Five of the last seven matches between the two teams have produced fewer than 2.5 goals)
Tip 3 - Both teams to score: NO (Both sides have found the back of the net in just two of their last seven matchups)
