Cruzeiro welcome Libertad to the Estádio Governador Magalhães Pinto to contest the second leg of the teams’ Copa Sudamericana quarter-final tie on Thursday, 27 September. Read our Copa Sudamericana tips for the fixture below.
Contents
- 1 Cruzeiro vs Libertad prediction: Hosts to complete the job
- 2 Pre-game odds and win probability: Hosts are odds on favourites
- 3 Most recent H2Hs: Just one previous meeting
- 4 Cruzeiro preview: Hosts missing four injured players
- 5 Libertad preview: Visitors could name the same XI
- 6 Player to watch – Kaio Jorge
Cruzeiro vs Libertad prediction: Hosts to complete the job
Key Stats
- Cruzeiro won last week’s first leg over Libertad in Paraguay 2-0.
- Cruzeiro have won 12 of their last 16 home assignments in all competitions.
- Kaio Jorge rattled the net twice in his last four appearances for Cruzeiro.
- Cruzeiro have conceded only six goals in their last 11 home games.
Correct score prediction: Cruzeiro 2-0 Libertad
Cruzeiro eased to a 2-0 win over Libertad in last week’s first leg and the Brazilian giants, who have won 12 of their last 16 home fixtures, should be in total command again when they host the Paraguayans on Thursday.
Pre-game odds and win probability: Hosts are odds on favourites
- HOME: 11/20 (1.55) – 64.5%
- DRAW: 29/10 (3.90) – 25.6%
- AWAY: 5/1 (6.00) – 16.7%
*odds from Ladbrokes, subject to change
Cruzeiro drew 0-0 at Cuiaba in Brazil’s Serie A at the weekend, though it looked as though they were conserving energy for this week’s quarter-final second leg against Libertad, and the hosts offer excellent value at 11/20 to win against the Paraguayans.
Libertad have a mountain to climb having lost the first leg to Cruzeiro 2-0, though there is little evidence to suggest that the 5/1 underdogs can raise their game in Brazil. Check out more of our South American predictions on our latest football tips page.
Most recent H2Hs: Just one previous meeting
Cruzeiro and Libertad met for the first time last week, and they will clash competitively on Brazilian soil for the first time ever on Thursday.
Copa Sudamericana 20/09/24
Libertad Asuncion
Cruzeiro
Cruzeiro preview: Hosts missing four injured players
Vitinho, Japa, Juan Dinenno and Rafael Silva are out of action for Cruzeiro while Walace is a slight doubt due to illness. Joao Marcelo is suspended domestically, though he is available to feature in the Copa Sudamericana.
Predicted lineup: Cassio (GK), William, Ze Ivaldo, Villalba, Marlon, Romero, Pereira, Henrique, Veron, Diaz, Jorge
Brazil Serie A 04/10/24
L
Fluminense
1
Cruzeiro
0
Brazil Serie A 29/09/24
D
Vasco da Gama
1
Cruzeiro
1
Copa Sudamericana 27/09/24
D
Libertad Asuncion
1
Cruzeiro
1
Brazil Serie A 22/09/24
D
Cuiaba
0
Cruzeiro
0
Copa Sudamericana 20/09/24
W
Libertad Asuncion
0
Cruzeiro
2
Libertad preview: Visitors could name the same XI
Libertad tend to favour at 4-3-3 formation and they used that system in last week's first-leg loss to Cruzeiro. The Paraguayans bounced back with a 1-0 win over Tacuary at the weekend, which should have lifted their confidence.
Predicted lineup: Silva (GK), Ramirez, Viera, Gimenez, Espinoza, Lezcano, Caballero, Martinez, Fernandez, Silva, Aguilar
Paraguay Cup 02/10/24
W
Encarnacion FC
0
Libertad Asuncion
2
Paraguay Division Profesional 29/09/24
L
Nacional Asuncion
2
Libertad Asuncion
1
Copa Sudamericana 27/09/24
D
Cruzeiro
1
Libertad Asuncion
1
Paraguay Division Profesional 22/09/24
W
Tacuary
0
Libertad Asuncion
1
Copa Sudamericana 20/09/24
L
Cruzeiro
2
Libertad Asuncion
0
Player to watch – Kaio Jorge
Kaio Jorge has been struggling for consistency since his summer move to Cruzeiro from Italy’s Frosinone, though he scored in last week’s first leg and he has the talent to kick on from there.
Jorge finally finding form?
Versatile attacker Jorge has scored twice in his last four appearances overall and with his self-belief starting to build, the 22-year-old should carry more of a goal-scoring threat for Cruzeiro in the coming weeks.
