Goias vs Criciuma Predictions, Lineups and Betting Tip

Match Details: July 8th, 2025 | Estadio de Haile Pinheiro | Brazilian Serie B | 23:00 GMT

Brazilian second division leaders Goias will look to extend their lead at the top of the table on Tuesday night as they host 15th placed Criciuma, who have struggled since last season's relegation from the top flight.

However, the away side seem to have found some form just in the nick of time for this clash, winning three of their last five and drawing just one. Meanwhile, Goias have suffered something of a stumble in recent games, losing two of their last three.

Key Betting Tip: Goias to Win at odds of 1.84 represents excellent value based o the tip provided by our in-house tipsters.

Goias vs Criciuma Predicted Lineups

Goiás Predicted XI (4-1-4-1): Tadeu (GK); Willean Lepo, Titi, Messias, Diego Caito; Vitinho; Arthur Caike, Juninho, Marcao, Wellington; Anselmo.

Fed up of his side's recent poor form, Goias coach Vagner Mancini made four changes to the starting lineup ahead of their most recent clash against Chapecoense, hoping for a change in fortune.

However, for much of the game, it seemed they were headed for third straight defeat, putting their position as leaders under question trailing from the 15th minute until the 89th, things only changed when Chapecoense defender Victor Henrique was sent off with half an hour remaining.

From there, an 89th minute penalty, scored by goalkeeper Tadue, and a remarkable 90+7 winner from Anselmo saw them grab a vital three points, keeping them clear of the chasing pack by two.

As a result, we predict an unchanged XI, as Mancini looks to build on the momentum gained from this result.

Criciuma Predicted XI (3-4-3): Alisson (GK); Marcelo Hermes, Rodrigo Fagundes, Jose Gabriel; Luiz Henrique, Matheus Trindade, Guilherme Lobo, Joao Carlos; Diego Goncalves, Nicolas, Jonathan Robert.

On a hot streak in early June, Criciuma’s form has cooled somewhat in recent weeks, as they have picked up just one point from their last two games.

Relegated from the top flight last year after just one season, the club is looking to find balance again, but has so far failed to do so, winning just four times in their 14 league fixtures so far - not the side looking to immediately bounce back up.

However, wins over bottom half rivals have strengthened their position somewhat, and although they lie 15th currently, they sit just seven points back from the top four. That leaves plenty of room for a surge up the table.

In terms of team news, Criciuma will need to cope without right wing back Marcinho for this game, after he was shown a red card in the defeat to Avai FC last time out. If coach Eduardo Baptista is looking for positivity and aggression against Goias, he could do much worse than pick right-winger Joao Carlos, whose electric pace will be dangerous on the overlap.

Goias vs Criciuma Current League Standings

Though Goias sit two points clear at the top of the table, they have looked increasingly fragile over their last few games, and only came out of their last game with a victory thanks to a red card and a winner in overtime.

While they are still favourites to win the division, they have shown that they are not invincible, and given their recent lack of conviction in their play, Criciuma will come into this one smelling an opportunity.

However, the away side knows that a defeat here would hurt them. Though they sit two places above the drop zone, they are also only two points ahead of 17th placed Volta Redonda, and a defeat here could see them spiral as far down as 19th, depending on results elsewhere.

Goias vs Criciuma Head to Head Timeline

The historic head to head record between the two sides has them very closely matched, and over their past five meetings, the two teams share an identical record: both have won one each, and drawn the other three, scoring the same number of goals in the process.

However, even with their sketchy recent form, Goias will be confident thanks to their league position, and will still be expecting to emerge from this one with three points.

Recent Head to Head Meetings:

• Nov 2018: Criciuma 2-2 Goias.
• July 2018: Goias 2-1 Criciuma.
• Oct 2017: Goias 1-1 Criciuma.
• July 2017: Criciuma 1-0 Goias.
• Aug 2016: Goias 1-1 Criciuma

Much has changed since the two sides last met in 2018, but no doubt the clash will still be as finely poised as ever. Goias last victory came in 2018, as Giovanni Piccolomo and Michael netted to turn the game on it’s head after Vitor Feijao had given Criciuma the lead.

The visitors must go all the way back to 2017 for their last win, a tense 1-0 victory that came through Diego Giaretta’s 55th minute goal, in a game which also saw Goias’ Ivan shown a red card.

Recent Goias and Criciuma Match Analysis

Goias Last Five Games:

• Chapecoense 1-2 Goias (Serie B)
• Goias 1-2 Athletic Club (Serie B)
• CRB 2-0 Goias (Serie B)
• Goias 2-0 Volta Redonda (Serie B)
• Atletico GO 1-2 Goias (Serie B)

Until their defeat to CRB, Goias had lost just once all season, winning eight of their first eleven fixtures. However, two defeats in their last three have made their position as league leaders tenuous.

It’s not as if they haven’t competed - quite the opposite. They shared the same number of shots as Athletic club in their narrow 2-1 defeat, and boasted more than CRB despite losing 2-0. However, when your goalkeeper is your third top scorer, with two goals, you know there is a problem in attack.

37-year-old striker Anselmo sits top of the rankings, with four, but that is simply not enough if Goias are to make it back to the top division. Low scoring (they have just 18 goals) has got them this far, but it is not a sustainable model to follow if they have their eyes on the prize.

Criciuma Last Five Games:

• Criciuma 1-2 Avai FC (Serie B)
• America MG 1-1 Criciuma (Serie B)
• Criciuma 3-2 Amazonas (Serie B)
• Criciuma 1-0 Vila Nova (Serie B)
• Paysandu 0-1 Criciuma (Serie B)

Making a poor start by any relegated teams standards, Criciuma have finally come to their senses, and have started to play some nice football.

However, it seems inconsistency will be their downfall this season. After three straight wins, many would have expected the pre-season to go up to kick-on and vault themselves into the top four. However, a defeat and a draw since these victories have seen them fall back into lower mid-table obscurity.

A win here over the leaders would provide a statement - it would show they are a danger to even the top sides in the league, and that it is not too late for them to turn their form around as they chase promotion.

Goiás vs Criciúma Prediction

Our advanced algorithm has analyzed over 200 data points to generate the prediction that Goias will come away with all three points here, as they cement their place at the top of the league. The model factors current form, head to head records, player availability and tactical matchups.

Goias vs Criciuma Betting Tip

Football Park’s Best Bet: Goias to Win - With a Goias given odds of 1.84 to win on Highbet, they are clearly considered favourites despite their fragile recent form. Criciuma can be a threat, but Goias will want to bounce back from defeat last time out with a statement victory.

Key Players to Watch: Goias vs Criciuma

Willean Lepo (Goias): A man who can play all across the back four, Willean Lepo is one of the most complete backliners in Brazilian football. Ranking in the top three in almost every defensive metric, there is not much the left back/centre back/right back cannot do.

Tadeu (Goias): One of the very few goalscoring goalkeepers in world football, Tadeu has become his side's designated penalty taker, and for good reason. Two out of two from the spot this season, and boasting the joint most clean sheets in the league this season (6), he’s more than capable between the sticks as well.

Marcelo Hermes (Criciuma): With two goals and two assists from left back this season, Marcelo Hermes is arguably the most important cog in the Criciuma system. Apable of playing anywhere up the left flank, he proves both crucial defensive cover and an extra attacking option when needed.

Jhonata Robert (Criciuma): Criciuma’s man in form at the moment, Robert has netted in both of their last two games, earning the man of the match award in the draw against Americas MG. Though not typically a productive winger, he has been much more direct this season compared to last, and if this form continues, he could become a real force in their attack.

Goias vs Criciuma Match Facts

Stadium facts: This game will be held at Goias’ home ground, the Estadio de Haile Pinheiro, which can hold almost 15000 spectators. Built in 1995, it still boasts up to date, modern facilities for both players and fans.