Cruzeiro vs Universidad de Chile Predictions, Betting Tips and Match Previews

Thursday’s Copa Libertadores action sees Brazilians Cruzeiro playing host to Universidad de Chile. The home side arrive as big favourites to pick up the three points.

It really is a must win fixture for Cruzeiro, who trail their opponents by 3 points in Group 5, having only managed to pick up 2 points from theri opening 3 games. Mano Menezes’ troops first lost 4-2 away at Argentines Racing, prior to recording a disappointing home draw with compatriots Vasco, in addition to sharing the points with Universidad themselves last week.

Such poor results, alongside two defeats from two in the new Serie A campaign has lead to several board members visiting the training ground prior to this game, in an attempt to lay down the importance of an improvement in performance. La Bestia Negra were expected to compete on both the domestic and continental stage this campaign, with one of Brazilian football’s strongest squads on paper, but performances haven’t really met expectations thus far, a Campeonato Mineiro crown aside.

Meanwhile, if pressure is building in Cruzeiro ranks, then it must be close to boiling over as regards Universidad. La U had made a strong start to 2018 but have hit the self-destruct button in recent weeks, with a loss in a derby with Colo-Colo and a simply embarrassing 6-1 defeat to newly promoted Union La Calera over the weekend, leaving fans calling for Guillermo Hoyos’ head.

Whilst Hoyos did make changes for that game with this fixture in mind, the manner of the defeat was simply unacceptable and has all but ruined the side’s hopes of winning the opening phase of the Chilean top flight. The visitors situation in the Libertadores doesn’t look all that bad, but they’ve failed to build on an opening round win away at Vasco, with home draws to both Racing and Cruzeiro and now face a battle to hold onto a qualification spot with trips to the same sides to contest.

Ultimately, it’d be a big surprise if Cruzeiro don’t claim what would be an invaluable three points. It’s true they are not in the best of shape right now but they are by no means in as poor a condition as Universidad now find themselves in, with the media and fans alike turning on the visiting boss and his players in addition to numerous rifts being reported from within the camp itself.

Cruzeiro have by far the stronger team on paper and with the crowd on their side, we fancy them to secure victory. The hosts have won 9 of their 11 home matches in 2018 so far, also keeping 9 clean sheets and having also kept the ball out in 4 of their last 5 Libertadores home games, backing a Cruzeiro win to nil looks to provide good value.

All things considered, a 2-0 Cruzeiro win looks to be on the cards. Univerisdad have lost 4 of their last 5 Libertadores games as visitors and it’d be no surprise to see that become 5 from 6 come full time in this one.