Atletico to rue missed chances in Copa visit to Chapecoense

Copa do Brasil 11.30pm Wednesday

Atletico Mineiro head into this Copa do Brasil last-16 clash following a 1-0 aggregate defeat to San Lorenzo in the first round of the Copa Sudamericana and Chapecoense can make it two cup exits in the space of a week for the visitors with victory at the Arena Conda.

The first leg ended 0-0 and, having mustered 18 shots and the lion’s share of the possession, Atletico Mineiro will likely feel the stalemate was not a fair reflection of the game.

Chapecoense exhibited resilience at the back to deny the opposition the chance to capitalise on home advantage and they will be buoyed by their recent 3-2 win over highflying Flamengo, their first victory of the league campaign.

The home side will be eager to avoid a second successive last-16 exit in the Copa do Brasil, having lost to Atletico Mineiro’s Belo Horizonte-based rivals Cruzeiro at this stage in 2017.

Having conceded fewer goals (eight) than any other side on their way to securing the title in their regional league, the Campeonato Catarinense, earlier this year, Chapecoense are quickly establishing themselves as a team built around their backline and they can nullify a Mineiro outfit who are winless in three in all competitions.

Chape will likely be under the cosh for much of the game, as they have been across many of their encounters this year, but have the defensive discipline to soak up pressure and the pace of the likes of Guilherme and Arthur to hit Mineiro on the counter-attack should help them take the spoils.

Recommendation
Chapecoense
2pts 12-5 bet365

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