Corinthians face in-form Athletico-PR with sights on G6 spot
Corinthians host the high-flying Athletico-PR this Thursday as they look to close the gap on the top six in the Brasileirão.
On Thursday, Corinthians continue their Brasileirão campaign with a high-stakes home match against Athletico-PR. For Fernando Diniz's side, this fixture is an opportunity to climb the table and edge closer to the top six, a crucial position for securing qualification to next season's Copa Libertadores.
The 'Timão' currently sits in ninth place with 28 points, while their opponents are flying high in third with 36 points. Despite the gap, Corinthians hold a strong record at home and have historically dominated this fixture, having lost only twice in their last 19 encounters against the 'Furacão' since 2017.
Manager Fernando Diniz faces significant selection challenges heading into the match. The left-back position is particularly thin: starter Matheus Bidu is sidelined with a pubic injury, while his replacement in the last match, Angileri, is suspended due to yellow card accumulation. Furthermore, Vitinho is out after suffering a knee injury that requires surgery.
Athletico-PR arrives in excellent form under manager Odair Hellmann, having won both matches following the competition's return. The visiting offense, spearheaded by top-scorer contender Viveiros and the in-form Leozinho, will pose a severe test for the Corinthians backline.