Preview: Criciuma vs. Fluminense – prediction, team news, lineups

Criciuma will be hoping to bounce back quickly from defeat when they host struggling Fluminense at the Estadio Heriberto Hulse on Friday.

Meanwhile, the visitors will be looking to secure another victory, having only managed one win in the Brasileiro so far, back in gameweek three.

Match preview

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Criciuma ended a two-game winless run by defeating Cruzeiro at the Estadio Heriberto Hulse, but they failed to capitalise on that win, losing 2-1 to Vitoria last Sunday.

This defeat saw the Tigers drop to 14th place with 16 points from 13 games, four points clear of the relegation zone – however, they have played fewer games than most of the teams around them in the table.

Claudio Tencati‘s men are currently on a four-match unbeaten run on home soil, winning two and drawing two – and they will be relying on this home form to secure another victory on Friday that could take them back into the Copa Sudamericana spots.

While Criciuma have just one win in their last seven encounters against Friday’s opponents, they will be viewing this as a great opportunity to pick up another win considering their home form and the struggles of their opponents.

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Fluminense have had a disastrous season so far, as the reigning Copa Libertadores champions find themselves rooted to the bottom of the Brasileiro Serie A, four points behind second-bottom Atletico Goianiense.

After leading them to a historic first continental triumph last year, it appeared that Fernando Diniz was out of ideas, failing to stop the rot, which ultimately led to his sacking after the loss to Gremio on June 30.

The club quickly confirmed the appointment of the highly-experienced Mano Menezes as his replacement on a one-year contract with the option to extend for another 12 months.

The former Brazil national team coach looked to immediately inspire Flu, leading the team to end a six-match losing streak with a 1-1 draw against Internacional, while managing to find the net for the first time after four matches.

However, they failed to build on that, losing 1-0 to Fortaleza at the Estadio Governador Placido Aderaldo Castelo on Sunday night, extending their winless run in Serie A to 12 matches.

With only two goals scored, 12 conceded and a 100 percent defeat rate in away matches so far, Flu will need to produce a remarkable performance here to earn their first away points of the season.

Criciuma Brasileiro form:

Fluminense Brasileiro form:

Team News

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Criciuma will still be without Felipe Vizeu, who is recovering from a thigh injury, while right-back Jonathan Lemos has a hamstring problem.

Portuguese defender Tobias Figueiredo is also out with a groin strain and is not expected to return for a few weeks.

However, Allano will be available for selection after serving his suspension for a red card against Cruzeiro, while Wilker Angel could also feature after returning from the Copa America.

Flu will remain without Jhon Arias, who is away on international duty with Colombia at the Copa America, while German Cano has been suspended for this match after reaching the yellow card threshold.

The visitors are currently missing several players through injury, including Lele, Isaac and Andre, who have not played a single minute this season.

Manoel, Felipe Melo, Vinicius Lima, David Terans, Lucas Calegari and Marcelo are also sidelined with various injuries.

Criciuma possible starting lineup:
Gustavo; Claudinho, Maia, Figueiredo, Trauco; Barreto, Ronald, Matheusinho, Hermes; Calke, Bolasie

Fluminense possible starting lineup:
Fabio; Xavier, Carlos, Santos, Guga; Martinelli, Gomes, Ganso; Cano, Keno, Andre

We say: Criciuma 1-0 Fluminense

Criciúma are building momentum on home soil, having strung together some positive results, making them favourites against a Fluminense side that have been in poor form all season and are yet to win a single away game.

For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.

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