Cruzeiro will look to leapfrog Flamengo to the top of the Brazilian Serie A table on Thursday night as they travel to the Barradao to take on 16th-placed Vitoria.
Cruzeiro made an inconsistent start to their Serie A campaign, as they won two and lost two of their opening five matches (W2-D1-L2).
However, since then, Leonardo Jardim’s visitors have taken 16 points from a possible 18 (W5-D1-L0) – including a 2-1 victory at home to last season’s runners-up Palmeiras last time out – to move up into second in the table, just a point behind leaders Flamengo.
Victoria’s winless run in the Brazilian top flight was extended to three matches last time out, as they played out a goalless draw away at Corinthians.
It's been a tough start to the campaign for Thiago Carpini’s hosts. They won just two of their opening 11 Serie A clashes (W2-D4-L5), leaving them in 16th position, outside the relegation zone only on goal difference.
How the bookies view it: Value in Cruzeiro
BoyleSports have Cruzeiro as 5/4 favourites to claim their sixth victory from their last seven matches.
Vitoria are 21/10 to secure their third victory of the season, whilst the draw is 2/1.
Head to head: Plenty of goals last season
Last season, the two meetings between the pair produced eight goals (3-1 & 2-2), meaning we could see goals in this one.
The Asian Goal Line is set at just 2.0, meaning we would get our money back if there were exactly two goals.
Players to watch: More joy for Jorge?
Kaio Jorge is Cruzeiro’s leading scorer in Serie A this season, netting eight times this season – including a brace in their victory over Palmeiras last time out – and is 23/10 at PaddyPower to score anytime.
Renato Kayzer has scored each of Vitoria’s last three goals in the Brazilian top flight, but the Red and Blacks have failed to score in each of their previous three matches.
Predicted line-ups:
Vitoria will be without their captain Lucas Halter through suspension.
Similarly, midfielder Christian will miss this clash through suspension for Cruzeiro, whilst the likes of Joao Marcelo and Matheus Henrique are injured.
Vitoria: Arcanjo, Claudinho, Edu, Ze Marcos, Jamerson, Ryller, Baralhas, Ronald, Braga, Janderson, Kayzer
Cruzeiro: Cassio, William, Bruno, Jonathan, Kaiki, Silva, Romero, Eduardo, Pereira, Wanderson, Jorge
Anything else catch the eye?
Not only are these two sides at opposite ends of the table, but they come into this clash in contrasting form, and I’m keen to get the in-form visitors on side.
Leonardo Jardim’s visitors have won five and drawn one of their last six Serie A clashes, including successive 0-2 and 0-4 away victories against Fortaleza (17th) and Sport Recife (20th).
Vitoria have won just twice all season, meaning I’m happy to back Cruzeiro -0.25 Asian Handicap, meaning we would lose only half our stake should the game end in a draw.
GambleAware