Cruzeiro hold the advantage as they host Atletico Mineiro in the second leg of the Copa do Brasil quarter-finals. The visitors are aiming to overcome recent struggles to turn the tie around against the hosts, who are solid at home.
Cruzeiro claimed a 2-0 win in the first leg at Arena MRV, with second-half efforts from Fabricio Bruno and Kaio Jorge earning them the advantage. They followed up that result with a 1-0 home victory over Sao Paulo in a Brazilian Serie A fixture last weekend.
Those two results are part of a solid run for Cruzeiro, who are unbeaten in six of their last seven matches in all competitions, with five wins on this run. Leonardo Jardim's team are also solid at home and have won the last two matches at Mineirao.
Despite playing at home in the first leg, Atletico Mineiro struggled to find their rhythm and were second best throughout the contest. Jorge Sampaoli’s team have now lost four of their last five matches across all competitions.
Atletico Mineiro will travel to Minerao off the back of a 1-0 defeat at Vitoria in a Brazilian Serie A fixture. That result maintains an erratic run on the road, having lost four of their last seven away matches.
How the bookies view it: Bookies backing Cruzeiro
Cruzeiro have been installed as overwhelming favourites among the bookies and are priced at 10/11 by BoyleSports to claim the win. An unlikely victory for Atletico Mineiro is valued at 11/4 while a draw is set at odds of 19/10.
Head to head: Evenly matched rivals
Cruzeiro have a 29-28 advantage with 19 draws from 76 previous matches against Atletico Mineiro. The hosts also claimed a 2-0 victory in last week's quarter-final first leg.
Players to watch: Jorge to shine
Striker Jorge will be the one to watch for Cruzeiro, having scored 18 goals already this season, including three in the Copa do Brasil. Matheus Pereira also carries a goal threat from midfield, and both men can ensure the hosts produce over 1.5 goals – offered at 2/7 with BoyleSports.
Hulk could be worth keeping an eye on for Atletico Mineiro, having scored 16 goals this season, including two in this competition. He should have support from Rony, who has found the net 10 times this term, and both men can ensure the visitors get on the score sheet (Over 0.5 goals – available at 5/4).
Probable line-ups:
Cassio Ramos should be between the goal, with Bruno, Lucas Villalba and Kaiki Bruno in defence. The midfield pairing of Lucas Silva and Lucas Romero should keep their place, while Christian Cardoso supports Pereira and Jorge up front.
For Bahia, Everson gets the nod in goal, while Vitor Hugo and Junior Alonso are the centre-back pairing. Alan Franco and Alexsander should start in midfield as Dudu and Scarpa provide the width, while Rony partners Hulk in attack.
Cruzeiro: Cassio, Furtardo, Villalba, Bruno, William, Silva, Romero; Wanderson, Pereira, Christian, Jorge
Atletico Mineiro: Everson, Natanael, Alonso, Hugo, Arana, Dudu, Franco, Alexsander, Scarpa, Rony, Hulk
Anything else catch the eye?
Both teams have scored in three of Cruzeiro's last five home matches (BTTS YES – priced at 10/11 by BoyleSports). The hosts have opened the scoring in their last three matches (Cruzeiro first goal – valued at odds of 3/4).
Five of Cruzeiro's last seven home matches have produced over 2.5 goals (Over 2.5 goals – set at odds of 5/4).
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