As early as it is in the Brazilian Serie A season, Palmeiras have made their intentions clear – they are going for the title. As they host Atletico GO in their next game, the target will be three points at home. They go into the game leading the standings on 22 points while Atletico GO have 13 points in 15th place. Palmeiras take to this game a run of 17 matches unbeaten across all competitions. They started their league season with a loss at home to Ceara, but it has been positive from then on, building game after game and, and in their 19 matches this season, that remains their only defeat. Their Copa Libertadores title defence is going on well too; they’ve won six of six, and they carry to this game a very strong run. In the last six league matches, Palmeiras haven’t conceded a goal. They’ve only conceded two in the last 10 Serie A matches and they have five wins in the last six league games.

Atletico Goianiense have a tough task in this game. They have gone winless in the last eight meetings with Palmeiras, and this doesn’t promise to be a very fruitful outing for them. Atletico Goianiense have managed two straight wins ahead of this game but will still be the underdogs here, being only one point above the relegation zone. A 2-0 win over Fluminense in their last game handed them a first clean sheet in five matches, but two wins only in that run, may not be enough to build their confidence for such a tough opponent. They go into back to back away matches, but the five away league games this season have only produced one win – the victory against Fluminense. This is also their only clean sheet in five away league games this season; in two of the five matches, they have lost without scoring, and conceded two or more goals.