Criciuma — Chapecoense : Match Preview and Prediction for September 07,2025

Criciuma’s Dominant Form

Criciuma has hit an incredible stride, boasting an unbeaten run of four matches, with three crucial victories among them. Their recent away fixture against Remo concluded with a narrow 1-0 win, showcasing their ability to secure results even under challenging conditions. This impressive road performance followed a confident 2-0 home triumph over Novorizontino, where the “Tigers” absolutely dominated their opponents in terms of xG (2.40 versus 0.18).

The Fortress of Heriberto Hülse

The home factor will be absolutely critical in this encounter. The Heriberto Hülse Stadium has become a genuine fortress for Eduardo Baptista’s squad. Statistics don’t lie: Criciuma has emerged victorious in 6 out of their last 7 home games. Under Baptista’s guidance, the team has cultivated an impenetrable defense, conceding only 6 goals in their last 10 league matches—a league-best record. This defensive solidity is the fundamental cornerstone of their ongoing success.

Squad Reinforcement and Promotion Ambitions

The team is not resting on its laurels and continues to strengthen. Filipinho returns to the squad after serving his suspension, promising fresh energy on the flanks. The club is actively engaged in the transfer market, signing new players, and the management has even increased result-based bonuses. All these indicators suggest that Criciuma is firmly set on direct promotion to Serie A, and a home clash against a direct competitor presents the perfect opportunity to solidify their position.

Chapecoense’s Unbeaten Streak Under Scrutiny

Indeed, Chapecoense is riding an impressive 10-game unbeaten streak. This is a significant achievement, but let’s delve into the specifics. In their previous match, the team played at home against Vila Nova and could only manage a 2-2 draw. Dropping points on home turf, especially with an xG of 1.49 against the opponent’s 1.47, suggests that their seemingly perfect machine might be starting to falter.

Critical Squad Shortages Ahead

The primary challenge for Chapecoense heading into this away fixture is significant personnel losses. Coach Gilmar Dal Pozzo will be unable to count on several key players. Attacking midfielder Italo is suspended, and goalkeeper Victor Caetano is sidelined due to injury. Furthermore, the participation of the team’s captain and defender, Bruno Leonardo, is highly questionable due to muscle problems.

Impact of Key Absences

Such critical gaps in the squad, particularly ahead of an away game against a direct competitor, represent a massive blow. The loss of a key attacker and the potential absence of both the captain and starting goalkeeper severely weaken the team across all lines. Despite Giovanni Augusto’s return to action, compensating for such significant absences will be an uphill battle, especially when facing a highly organized team like Criciuma.