Athletico Paranaense will host Vasco da Gama at the Ligga Arena on Thursday in the second leg of their 2024 Copa do Brasil quarterfinal clash. The home side have endured a difficult run of results in recent weeks and will hope they can find better luck in the domestic cup on Thursday.
They were beaten 2-1 by their midweek opponents in their first-leg clash a fortnight ago, taking a first-half lead via a close-range strike from 23-year-old Christian before their opponents scored two late goals to clinch the win. Athletico were knocked out at this stage of the competition last season, losing 4-1 on aggregate to eventual finalists Flamengo and must win on Thursday to avoid a repeat of the same this year.
Meanwhile, Vasco da Gama are enjoying a good run of form and are one positive result away from their first Copa do Brasil semifinal appearance since 2011. They beat Vitoria 1-0 in the Brasileirao Serie A last time out, with Joao Victor heading home the game-winner in the final 20 minutes of the match.
Athletico Paranaense vs Vasco da Gama Head-to-Head and Key Numbers
- There have been 53 meetings between Athletico and Vasco. The hosts have won 17 of those games while the visitors have won five more. There have been 14 draws between the two teams.
- The hosts have lost their last two games in this fixture after going undefeated in their previous four.
- The visitors are without a clean sheet in their last three games in this fixture.
- All but two of Vasco's 10 league defeats this season have come on the road.
Athletico Paranaense vs Vasco da Gama Prediction
Athletico are on a run of three consecutive defeats and have lost four of their last five games across all competitions. They have lost their last two games on home turf and will be desperate to snap that streak this week.
Vasco, on the other hand, are on a three-game winning streak and are undefeated in their last eight outings. They have, however, struggled for results on the road of late and could see their cup tie this week decided on penalties.
Prediction: Athletico Paranaense 2-1 Vasco da Gama
Athletico Paranaense vs Vasco da Gama Betting Tips
Tip 1 - Result: Athletico Paranaense to win
Tip 2 - Goals - Over/under 2.5 - Over 2.5 goals (Six of the hosts' last eight matches have produced more than 2.5 goals)
Tip 3 - Both teams to score: YES (Both sides have found the back of the net in three of the visitors' last four matches)