Prediction: Cruzeiro vs Fluminense

Verdict: Cruzeiro win

Best Odds: 19/20

Bookmaker: Luckster

Hoping to find a route into the Copa Libertadores places in the early hours of Thursday, Cruzeiro will welcome Fluminense to the Mineirao.

Cruzeiro

Starting with the hosts, while Cruzeiro might have only just about clung to their Serie A status last season, the Foxes have made a string of improvements since opening up the 2024 campaign. Last seen over the weekend putting in another gritty performance as they snatched a 0-0 stalemate away at Vasco, Fernando Seabra’s men now have their sights firmly set on skyrocketing their way into the Copa Libertadores places. With the mood around the Mineirao at a red-hot high, the former Corinthians coach has seen his squad suffer just a single defeat from any of their previous nine appearances across all competitions. With that run stemming all the way back to April 21st, Cruzeiro will also be excited by their continued success on home soil. In fact, Thursday’s hosts have won all of their previous five straight matchups in front of their own supporters by an aggregate score of 10-4.

Team News

Both still dealing with respective long-term injury issues, Cruzeiro will once again be without the duo of Rafael Bilu and one-time Racing Club starlet Juan Ignacio Dinenno in the early hours of Thursday. Likewise, suffering a knee injury against Cuiaba earlier in the month, 23-year-old Alvaro Barreal is not expected to feature here.

Notching two goals in his previous three appearances across all competitions, former Lugano striker Rafa Silva will spearhead Seabra’s attack in midweek.

Fluminense

As for the visitors, while Fluminense might have opened up the 2024 campaign with their sights firmly set on mounting another Copa Libertadores charge, the Tricolor find themselves at the heart of a major Serie A struggle. Last seen over the weekend slumping to a 2-1 defeat at home against Atletico GO, it appears there is mounting pressure on Fernando Diniz’s shoulders. Remarkably sat the heart of a relegation scrap and collecting just six points from any of their first nine Serie A appearances, the Brazilian giants have also mustered just a single point from any of their last four outings. Although Diniz’s men might hold a rampant record against Thursday’s hosts should be bracing themselves for a tough examination at the Mineira.

Team News

Shown a straight red card from the substitutes bench against Atletico GO last weekend, one-time Juventus star Felipe Melo will miss out through suspension here. Likewise, both still dealing with respective long-term injury issues, the duo of Andre and Lele will not travel to the Mineira in midweek.

Really enjoying what has become a breakout campaign, 20-year-old academy graduate Alexsander will once again partner former Gremio star Lima in the middle of Diniz’s midfield. Ex-Corinthians defender Manoel could make a first start since May 10th.

Key Factors to Consider

• Fluminense have won all of their previous four straight showdowns against Cruzeiro by an aggregate score of 8-1.
• However, the Tricolor have collected just a single point from any of their previous four Serie A appearances.
• Cruzeiro have won all of their previous five straight matchups in front of their own supporters by an aggregate score of 10-4.
• Fluminense have won just a pair of their previous 11 consecutive showdowns away from the Maracana – a run that stems all the way back to February 17th.
• The Tricolor have recorded just a single clean sheet from any of their last seven appearances across all competitions.

Conclusion

While Fluminense might have won all of their previous four straight showdowns against Thursday’s hosts by an aggregate score of 8-1, the Tricolor could have a real battle on their hands here. Collecting just a single point from any of their last four Serie A appearances, they will meet a Cruzeiro squad that have continued to gain a reputation for their dominance on home soil. With Thursday’s hosts now sat within striking distance of finding a route into the Copa Libertadores spots, we are backing a home victory here.

Verdict: Cruzeiro win

Best Odds: 19/20

Bookmaker: Luckster