Sports Mole previews Friday’s Copa Sudamericana clash between Cruzeiro and Club Libertad, including predictions, team news and possible lineups.
Cruzeiro will host Club Libertad at Mineirao for the second leg of their Copa Sudamericana quarterfinal tie on Friday.
The hosts hold a 2-0 advantage in this tie after scoring two first-half goals to secure a victory in the first leg at Estadio Defensores del Chaco last Thursday.
Match preview
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Kaio Jorge found the net in the 19th minute before Lautaro Diaz doubled the lead in first-half stoppage time to give Cruzeiro a comfortable 2-0 cushion heading into the return leg.
Raposa remained undefeated in the Copa Sudamericana this season when scoring first, and the first leg win was just the second time they achieved this away from home.
However, Fernando Seabra‘s men were unable to find the way when they travelled to Cuiaba on Sunday, settling for a goalless draw in the Brazilian Serie A, which leaves them in seventh place with 42 points.
Avoiding defeat on Friday will see Raposa put together a three-match unbeaten run for the first time since July, and Seabra will be counting on his side’s home form in the Sudamericana this season.
Cruzeiro are yet to lose any of their four home matches in the competition this season, winning three and drawing one, while scoring seven goals and conceding four.
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Libertad failed to find a way back into the tie after falling behind in the first half, despite enjoying more possession – this marked their first defeat in the Sudamericana since being relegated from the Copa Libertadores this season.
Prior to this loss, Gumarelo had won their previous three quarter-final home fixtures in this competition while maintaining clean sheets – however, they will now need to overturn the deficit in the second leg to reach the semifinals for the first time since 2021.
Daniel Garnero‘s side are unbeaten in their two away matches in this edition of the Sudamericana, with one win and one draw – however, they have only scored one goal in regular time across both games, and such a performance will not be sufficient to progress against Cruzeiro.
The visitors secured a 1-0 victory over Tacuary in a league match on Sunday, which places them fourth in the Paraguayan Clausura with 19 points.
Cruzeiro Copa Sudamericana form:
Cruzeiro form (all competitions):
Club Libertad Copa Sudamericana form:
Club Libertad form (all competitions):
Team News
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Cruzeiro will be without Rafael Silva for this match due to a knee injury that is expected to sideline him until next month, Vitinho is also out with a thigh injury.
Juan Dinenno is still recovering from an ACL injury and Japa is out with a broken foot, while Walace is ill and may not be available.
Club Libertad have been missing Hector Villalba for their last two Sudamericana matches due to a cruciate ligament tear, and he is expected to remain out.
The visitors have struggled to score in this competition, netting just four goals in five matches – Gustavo Aguilar, who is expected to lead the line, will be hoping to find the back of the net.
Cruzeiro possible starting lineup:
Cassio; William, Ivaldo, Villalba, Marlon; Henrique, Pereira, Romero; Jorge, Diaz, Veron
Club Libertad possible starting lineup:
M. Silva; Ramirez, Viera, Gimenez, Espinoza; Martinez, Caballero, Lezcano; Fernandez, Encina, Silva
We say: Cruzeiro 2-1 Club Libertad (Cruzeiro advances 4-1 on aggregate)
Cruzeiro have demonstrated resilience at home in the Sudamericana and are well-positioned to capitalize on their first-leg advantage against Club Libertad.
With the visitors struggling to score goals and conceding as much as they create, we anticipate a defeat for them in this match.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.