Athletic Club Backed to Get the Job Done Against Struggling Ponte Preta

Ponte Preta lined up in a 3-4-2-1 in their last league match, with Brandao leading the line and Kevyson plus Elvis supporting as attacking midfielders. Brandao scored twice to put Ponte Preta ahead on two occasions, but he was sent off late on after picking up two yellow cards, and the team conceded again before full time to end up losing away from home.

Athletic Club used a 4-1-4-1 in their previous league outing. Carlinhos started up front, with Ian Lucas and Max attacking from the flanks, while Cabezas and Canan Rodrigues operated as attacking midfielders. Athletic Club took an early lead through Max, and although they were pegged back once in the first half, substitute midfielder Felipe Niquelus scored the winner in the middle of the second half as they claimed all three points at home.

Ponte Preta will be without injured midfielder Rodrigo Sousa and forward Cavacante, while forward Brandao is suspended.

Athletic Club have no injury concerns, but defender Sicka is suspended.

Ponte Preta lost 3-2 away to Operario in their last league match, extending their losing run in the league to eight games. They have also lost four straight home league matches, conceding two goals in each, which makes them hard to trust for a turnaround.

Athletic Club beat Sao Bernardo 2-1 at home in their last league match, ending a four-game winless spell in the league and also stopping a recent scoring drought. Against struggling Ponte Preta, they have a strong chance to make it back-to-back wins.

In the previous meeting between the two sides, Athletic Club won 2-1. That match produced six corners.