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Cruzeiro could move into the Copa Libertadores second-stage spot with victory over struggling Sao Paulo as the two sides meet at Mineirao for round 29 of the Brasileiro Serie A.
The hosts currently sit sixth in the standings, one point adrift of fifth-placed Bahia, while the visitors are looking to tighten their grip on a Copa Sudamericana group-stage spot, given they are just one point above 12th-placed Botafogo.
Read our prediction, preview and betting tips for the game below, and make sure to check out our today's betting tips page for more of our expert predictions.
Cruzeiro vs. Sao Paulo key stats
- Both teams to score has landed in each of Cruzeiro's last 11 matches.
- Sao Paulo have managed just one victory across their last five outings in all competitions.
- Cruzeiro are unbeaten in their last six home games, winning four in that spell.
- Sao Paulo are winless in their last 14 away outings, losing 10 of those games.
Cruzeiro vs Sao Paulo preview: Hosts to capitalise on visitors’ recent struggles?
Cruzeiro vs Sao Paulo — Tale of the Tape
| Cruzeiro | vs | Sao Paulo |
|---|---|---|
| 6th | Position | 10th |
| 45 | Points | 36 |
| 42 | Goals For | 33 |
| 40 | Goals Against | 32 |
| 5 | Clean Sheets | 6 |
| 8th (H) | Home / Away Rank | 15th (A) |
Cruzeiro found some consistency in the Serie A between July 31 and August 23, when they won four straight league matches, but the Belo Horizonte side have experienced inconsistent form since then.
Artur Jorge's side have alternated between losses and wins across their last four top-flight matches, with defeats to Vasco da Gama and Santos coming either side of 3-1 triumphs over Atletico-PR and Vitoria.
Raposa's victory in Salvador just before the extended international break was particularly impressive, as it ended a four-match losing streak on the road across all competitions, a run that included a Copa do Brasil quarter-final elimination as well as a Copa Libertadores R16 exit.
That being said, a return to Mineirao should provide extra confidence for the hosts, given they have been both resilient and dangerous in attack, remaining unbeaten across six outings at the ground while averaging two goals per game during that spell.
Meanwhile, Sao Paulo's recent struggles have also been reflected in their lack of output in the final third, having managed just three goals across their last five games, with a 1-0 win over Internacional their only victory during that period.
Tricolor Paulista failed to build on that success last time out, suffering a 2-1 home defeat to Santos despite taking the lead through Luciano's 34th-minute penalty.
Head coach Dorival Junior's third spell at Sao Paulo has been a mixed bag, with the 64-year-old manager managing just five wins across his 18 matches with the club this year.
However, Tricolor Paulista can draw confidence from their superior head-to-head record heading into this midweek matchup, having won 27 of the last 48 meetings between the sides (D10, L11).
Cruzeiro vs. Sao Paulo form guide & betting tips
| Cruzeiro | vs | Sao Paulo |
|---|---|---|
WLWLW |
Form | WWLWL |
| 9 | Points | 9 |
| 7th | Form Table | 8th |
| 10 | Goals For | 6 |
| 8 | Goals Against | 5 |
LLWLW |
Form (All Comps) | LLDWL |
Whispers predicts: Cruzeiro 2-1 Sao Paulo
Cruzeiro enter this encounter as favourites given their impressive home form and Sao Paulo's struggles on the road, so a home win at 1.81 (81/100) looks appealing.
The goals market is difficult to call given the contrasting trends between both sides, with Sao Paulo's lack of cutting edge in the final third evident, although they have found the net in each of their last three outings.
As such, it would not be too much of a risk to expect Sao Paulo to find the net again against a Cruzeiro side that have featured in several high-scoring games in recent times, making both teams to score – Yes at 1.83 (5/6) worth considering.
Meanwhile, Cruzeiro over 1.5 team goals at 1.91 (10/11) also offers value given the home side's scoring rate on their own turf in recent times, while a 2-1 correct score in favour of the hosts is available at 8.50 (15/2).
> Match result – Cruzeiro win at 1.81 (81/100) | Likelihood: Probable
> Both teams to score – Yes at 1.83 (5/6) | Likelihood: Possible
> Cruzeiro over 1.5 team goals at 1.91 (10/11) | Likelihood: Possible
> Correct score – Cruzeiro 2-1 Sao Paulo at 8.50 (15/2) | Likelihood: Outsider