Verdict: Cruzeiro draw no bet
Best Odds: 8/15
Bookmaker: Dachbet
Looking to officially punch their Copa do Brasil semi-final ticket in midweek, Cruzeiro will host bitter local rivals Atletico Mineiro for their second-leg showdown late on Thursday night.
Cruzeiro
Starting with the hosts, putting in a dominant first-leg performance on August 27th as they claimed a deserved 2-0 victory when they traveled across Minas Gerais, Cruzeiro will be confident of officially punching their semi-final ticket with another statement of intent. Extending on their purple patch last time out as they landed a 1-0 win against Sao Paulo, Leonardo Jardim’s men have continued to receive a string of plaudits from across South America this season. Currently sat in relive medal position among Brazil’s elite, Cruzeiro have won all of their previous three appearances across all competitions by an aggregate score of 5-1. In fact, Thursday’s hosts have suffered just a sole defeat since the end of July. It should also be highlighted, Jardim’s side have secured consecutive domestic victories at the Mineirao.
Cruzeiro Team News
Still dealing with a long-term knee injury and not making a single appearance across any format since the end of April, academy graduate Janderson remains on the sidelines and will not feature here.
Making his Cruzeiro debut against Sao Paulo last week after completing a summer switch from Premier League outfit Bournemouth, Luis Sinisterra could make a first start on Thursday night. However, away on international duties with Brazil this month, attacking talisman Kaio Jorge will miss out.
Atletico Mineiro
As for the visitors, missing out on the chance to claim an essential first-leg advantage last month as they fell to that toothless 2-0 loss on home soil, Atletico Mineiro find themselves in the midst of what has become quite the worrying rut. Continuing to tumble down the Serie A standings and now looking over their shoulder at a looming relegation scrap, the Roosters will be bracing themselves for another stern examination here. Failing to pick up a much-welcomed boost last time out as they fell to a 1-0 defeat away at Vitoria, Jorge Sampaoli’s side have lost all of their previous three appearances across all competitions by an aggregate score of 5-0. Along with failing to find any kind of clinical edge in the final third, Thursday’s guests have also lost four of their last five showdowns.
Atletico Mineiro Team News
All still dealing with respective injury issues, Atletico Mineiro will once again be without Caio Maia, Patrick Silva, Renzo Saravia and former Everton star Bernard will once again miss out late on Thursday night.
While former Brazilian poster boy Hulk might have notched just a single strike across any competition since the middle of July, veteran striker Hulk could keep his spot leading the line. Former Palmeiras starlet Gabriel Menino could be handed a full recall in midweek.
Cruzeiro vs Atletico Mineiro Key Factors to Consider
- When Cruzeiro and Atletico Mineiro met for their first-leg showdown on August 27th, the Foxes collected a 2-0 victory collected a 2-0 victory at the Arena MRV.
- Cruzeiro have won their previous three appearances across all competitions by an aggregate score of 5-1.
- Along with losing all of their last three consecutive outings, Atletico Mineiro have also lost four of their previous five appearances across all fronts.
- Thursday’s guests have collected just a single domestic victory on their travels since the start of June.
- All of the last five meetings between Cruzeiro and Atletico Mineiro have finished with under 2.5 goals.
Conclusion
Storming their way to a deserved first-leg advantage when they travelled across Minas Gerais on August 27th, Cruzeiro will be confident of booking their semi-final spot with another flurry. Looking to once again claim local bragging rights, the Serie A title contenders have won all of their previous three appearances across all competitions and are riding a major wave of momentum. Likewise, suffering just a single domestic defeat since the end of July, Jardim’s side are rightfully installed as a standout contender here. Given what has been a huge recent gulf in class between the two local foes, we are backing a home draw no bet in midweek.
Verdict: Cruzeiro draw no bet
Best Odds: 8/15
Bookmaker: Dachbet
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