Match Preview
Athletic Club will host Criciúma in a Serie B clash on Tuesday, 19 August, at the Estádio Joaquim Portugal. The home side has struggled for consistency lately, managing just two draws from their last five matches, while Criciúma has shown a more robust form, securing three wins in their last five outings. This disparity in form could play a crucial role in determining the outcome of the match.
Historically, the head-to-head record favours Athletic Club slightly, with one win and one draw in their last ten encounters, but they have yet to defeat Criciúma at home. Interestingly, both teams have shown vulnerabilities in defence, with only one of their last ten meetings resulting in over 2.5 goals and just one match seeing both teams score. Given the odds of 2.3 for a home win and 2.7 for over 2.5 goals, a cautious approach may be warranted. The match could hinge on whether Athletic can break their scoring drought or if Criciúma can exploit their defensive frailties.