Sports Mole previews Wednesday’s Brasileiro clash between Cruzeiro and Athletico Paranaense, including predictions, team news and possible lineups.
Cruzeiro will be hoping to leapfrog Athletico Paranaense in the Brasileiro Serie A table when the two sides meet at the Mineirao on Wednesday.
The hosts are two points and three places behind the visitors, having played a game fewer than them.
Match preview
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Cruzeiro were well-beaten by Bahia in their last league outing, conceding four goals in a league match for the first time this season, losing 4-1.
The Foxes struck first through Gabriel Veron in the 14th minute, but went into the break level after Thaciano found the net for the opposition in first-half stoppage time. The game looked evenly balanced until Fernando Seabra‘s side were reduced to ten men after Marlon‘s red card in the 70th minute.
The floodgates opened afterwards, as Cruzeiro conceded three goals between the 78th and 91st minute, with Oscar Estupinan grabbing a brace and Gabriel Teixeira also getting on the scoresheet.
The result saw the four-time Serie A champions drop to eighth place after taking 17 points from 10 matches. They will now look to climb back up the table when they host Athletico PR at the Mineirao.
Cruzeiro are one of only two teams in Serie A with a perfect home record, with Bahia being the other side. The Foxes have won all four games on home soil, with only three teams picking up more points at home so far.
Meanwhile, Athletico PR have now drawn their last three matches in the league following Saturday’s 1-1 draw with Corinthians.
Furacao took the lead on the stroke of half-time through Christian and looked like they were taking all three points until Caca restored parity for the opposition two minutes into stoppage time.
Cuca‘s side dropped to fifth place in the Serie A table with 19 points from 11 matches. They have the opportunity to return to the top four if they win on Wednesday and other results go their way.
Undefeated in their last four matches where they have one win and three straight draws, Athletico PR will hope to extend this run but with a win on this occasion.
However, with just one win in five away matches, Furacao will be hoping they can find some consistency on their travels starting from the game on Wednesday.
Cruzeiro Brasileiro form:
Cruzeiro form (all competitions):
Athletico Paranaense Brasileiro form:
Athletico Paranaense form (all competitions):
Team News
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Cruzeiro will be without Jose Cifuentes, who is away on international duty with Ecuador at the Copa America.
The Foxes will also be missing 27-year-old Brazilian left-back Marlon, who was sent off in the defeat to Bahia.
On the injury front, Rafael Silva is sidelined with a thigh issue while Juan Dinenno has a problem with his groin.
Athletico PR will remain without Bento and Agustin Canobbio who are both away with their nations at the Copa America.
Defensive midfielder, Felipinho, is currently ill and this has made him doubtful for this fixture.
Cruzeiro possible starting lineup:
Anderson; William, Ivaldo, Marcelo, Vilalba; Pereira, Silva, Ramiro, Romero; Veron, Robert
Athletico Paranaense possible starting lineup:
Linck; Madson, Rocha, Heleno, Esquivel; Erick, Fernandinho; Nikao, Christian, Cuello; Mastriani
We say: Cruzeiro 1-1 Athletico Paranaense
Neither side are in their best moment heading into this fixture. The hosts have won just twice in their last five league matches while the visitors have drawn the last three. Furthermore, the last three meetings between these sides have ended in a stalemate.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.