Atletico Mineiro vs Gremio Predictions

Sunday’s Brazilian Serie A action sees Atletico Mineiro doing battle with Gremio at the Estádio Independência. The visitors arrive looking to pile the pressure on the under fire hosts.

Atletico Mineiro come into this game under massive pressure and amidst the backdrop of their fans calling for boss Rodrigo Santana to be fired. Galo, who had previously looked like taking part in the title race, have taken just 4 points from their last 10 league matches and a 3-1 defeat to Flamengo in midweek has left them down in 11th; pretty much out of the race for a top 6 finish.

Santana has recently switched the team formation to a 5-4-1 and that’s saw fans grow even angrier, slating the team for their defensive style of play. Santana has defended his tactical choices, stating that “Chelsea won the Champions League playing like this” but it’s fair to say whatever the style, if Atletico don’t manage to win Sunday’s clash, they’ll likely be forced into a managerial change.

Meanwhile, Gremio are running along in a more positive fashion, only outside of the top 6 on goal difference and in the semi-finals of the Copa Libertadores. Renato Gaucho’s troops have had their league results affected by their continental exploits but are still putting in a decent campaign that leaves them with a good chance of achieving their objective; a Copa Libertadores place.

A 2-1 win over Ceara in midweek has confidence high in visiting ranks and the side have been in good form of late. Indeed, Tricolor have now won 5 of their last 7 league matches, losing just once in the process and they’ll travel to Belo Horizonte looking to make it 4 straight wins over Atletico, having dominated recent meetings between the two.

Ultimately, there’s only one side that comes into this game with any kind of positive feeling surrounding them and that’s Gremio. They’re a strong side on paper and are proving so on the pitch at the moment; something that certainly cannot be said of this confidence drained Atletico Mineiro outfit.

All things considered, we really like the look of backing Gremio on the Draw No Bet line in this fixture and feel it’s by far the best way to play as far as the betting is concerned. Gremio have no reason to fear Atletico and there’s no way in which it makes any sense from them to be the underdogs in this game and whilst at worst they should be able to avoid defeat, we fancy them to take the points back to Porto Alegre via a 2-1 margin of victory.