**América Mineiro's home fortress meets a resurgent Juventude in a crucial Serie B battle.** The hosts have the recent edge here, but Juventude's just pulled off a clean sheet away at Criciúma — don't sleep on them. 🔥

América Mineiro are 5W-4D-2L in the all-time head-to-head, a solid cushion at their ground. But form tells a messier story: they've dropped two straight (0-1, 0-2) before grinding past Náutico. Juventude sit wobblier in the recent stretch, though that win at Criciúma hints at defensive steel.

Key storylines:

- **P. Victor and G. Parede** will be the creative spark for América; Juventude's missing **Allanzinho** on the wing due to knee injury, which thins their attacking depth
- **Jandrei** in goal for Juventude is the last line against an inconsistent but capable home attack
- **R. Silva and R. Barcelos** anchor América's defense, tested by a Juventude side that showed some fight at Criciúma

Expected lineups:

- **América Mineiro**: B. Brígido, T. Ostchega, R. Silva, R. Barcelos, Fábio, Barreto, L. Sosa, G. Parede, W. Bigode, Matías Segovia, P. Victor
- **Juventude**: Jandrei, R. Sam, Titi, M. Paulo, D. Barbosa, Aderlan, L. Mineiro, L. Mandaca, F. Lima, A. Safira, Raí

Prediction:

**América Mineiro 2-1 Juventude**

Home advantage and head-to-head record give the hosts a lean, but expect Juventude to make life uncomfortable. ⚪