Corinthians will try to turn a decent run into something more dangerous on Thursday evening when they host Athletico Paranaense at Neo Quimica Arena in Brasileiro Serie A play. The home side are ninth with 28 points from 20 matches, while Athletico arrive in third place with 36 points and the sharper form.
That is why this meeting is pulling attention now. Corinthians are three points outside the top five after stretching their unbeaten league run to four matches with a 1-1 draw away to Bahia, a game in which Fabrizio Angileri put them ahead before an equaliser before half time left them with only a point. Athletico, by contrast, have won twice since the restart, beating Sao Paulo 2-1 after coming from behind and then Internacional 2-0 at home. They have conceded just 19 goals in 20 league matches, a total that underlines how hard they have been to break down while Kevin Viveros has led the attack with 12 league goals.
Corinthians also carry a strong record in this fixture at home, having avoided defeat in each of the last seven meetings between the clubs at Neo Quimica Arena. That history matters because the table is tight enough for every point to shift the shape of the chase, and Corinthians need it to stay in touch with the top five while Athletico try to protect a place among the early contenders.
The balance is less clean than the standings suggest. Corinthians have looked more secure under Fernando Diniz, but the left side of defence is unsettled for this one: Angileri is suspended after collecting his third yellow card of the season against Bahia, Matheus Bidu remains doubtful with a groin problem, and Hugo Farias is still working back to full fitness after knee surgery. Athletico also lose Arthur Dias to suspension after his third booking of the campaign, while Mycael, Felipinho and Bruno Zapelli are still recovering from injury.
Memphis Depay has returned to training after his post-World Cup break, which is at least a sign of progress for Corinthians, but this fixture is expected to come too soon for him. That leaves Thursday looking like a test of squad depth as much as form, with Corinthians trying to defend a home record, Athletico trying to extend a run of two straight wins, and both clubs already looking at what comes after this. Corinthians' next confirmed commitments are Copa do Brasil ties against Internacional before a Copa Libertadores round-of-16 campaign against Rosario Central next month.
