Vasco has this Wednesday, November 15, another opportunity to enter the qualifying zone for the 2018 Copa Libertadores of America. Starting at 21:45 (Brasília time), will face Atletico-MG in a commitment that is part of the agenda of the thirty-fourth round of the Brazilian Championship season 2017. The game will be held in the stadium of São Januário, Rio de Janeiro.

Vasco’s recent performance

In the last four rounds, Vasco had three chances to enter the G7, a block that will ensure participation in next season’s continental tournament. It failed in all of them, including in the direct confrontation with Flamengo, which closes the classification zone occupying the seventh place with 50 points.
The most recent failure was on Sunday, November 12, when the red-black was beaten by Palmeiras, 2-0 in Sao Paulo. However, in São Januário and playing part of the second half in front of an opponent with one less athlete (Eder Militão was sent off), the Maltese cross was in a 1-1 draw with São Paulo.
Thus, he remained in the eighth place. He now has 49 points (13 wins, 10 draws and 11 losses). It’s only one less than Flamengo. Thus, in case of victory in this fourth will enter, even temporarily, in the G7 since the red-black will only play for the round of number 35 on Thursday, November 16, against Coritiba, in the capital of Parana.
Facing Sao Paulo, Vasco hit a series of ten games without defeat. However, this sequence has more draws than victory. It was six against four. It showed a significant evolution in alvinegro’s defensive system, which was one of the most criticized points before coach Zé Ricardo took over. In no match of the 12 under his direction the team suffered more than a goal. But offensive production remains a problem. Only twice in this period did the team score two goals.
Veteran midfielder Wagner turned a hope to improve offensive performance. After being a month away by injury, he returned to act before the São Paulo. He played the final 20 minutes. Against Atletico-MG, the chances are that it will still be kept between reserves, but may have a longer time to play in the second stage.
However, the signing of Vasco’s greater expression for the attack, Luis Fabiano, is again vetoed. After undergoing surgery on his right knee, he tried to return to the lawns but follows pains in the spot. He was out of the game against São Paulo and is also discarded to face Atletico-MG aiming to make a different treatment so that he can participate in the games of the last rounds of the tournament.

The current form of Atlético-MG

One more point in the account was also what Atlético-MG got in the 34th day of the Brasileirão. In Salvador, I went ahead against Bahia, took the turn and got the tie, 2-2 at the end.
With 46 points (12 wins, 10 draws and 12 losses), he is tenth in the standings and has a direct rival in the fight for a place in the 2018 edition of the Copa Libertadores. For this, however, not even a tie in San Januario can be considered an acceptable result.
To seek victory, coach Oswaldo de Oliveira will not be able to count on the return of midfielder Cazares. With ankle injury, the skillful Ecuadorian midfielder follows from outside the team. Also injured, defender Gabriel will be another low for the match in Rio de Janeiro.

History of the bouts between Vasco and Atlético-MG
The alvinegros had their paths crossed in 55 opportunities in the Brasileirão. The Gallo won 21. The Basque won 19. The draws were 15. In the first round of the 2017 edition, the Basque players scored 2 to 1 in Minas.

Although he has a more talented team, Atlético-MG can not maintain a regularity. In the same game, there are moments of good football alternated with blackouts. Vasco, on the other hand, although more limited shows more consistent performance. So it should be considered the best guessing option for this Wednesday’s showdown. You have a price of 2.50 in Bet365. Draw shows return of 3, 00, same prize paid in Minas Gerais success.