Gremio vs Cruzeiro Predictions

• Gremio almost have a direct passage into the group stage of next year’s Copa Libertadores wrapped up – a win here would seal it.
• Gremio hammered Sao Paulo 3-0 at home over the weekend, meaning they’ve now won 4 of their last 5 games in front of their own fans.
• Two points inside the drop zone with two games left to run, Cruzeiro find themselves on the brink of an entirely unexpected relegation.
• With no wins in 7 and having lost their last 3, the visitors arrive completely shot of confidence.

Gremio in form and looking for another home win

After their 3-0 home win over Sao Paulo at the weekend, Gremio have all but wrapped up their direct passage into the group phase of next year’s Copa Libertadores. Renato Gaucho’s troops are now in 4th place and though they’ve not really blown anyone away with their efforts this campaign, they’ve met minimum expectations.

A win on Thursday would allow them to travel to face Goias at the weekend pressure free and in their current shape, you’d have to fancy them to get it. Indeed, the side have now won 7 of their last 9 matches and are typically excellent at home, securing wins in 4 of their last 5 matches there.

Cruzeiro on the brink

It’s fair to say Cruzeiro came into the season harbouring hopes of challenging for the title but Raposa now find themselves looking into the Serie B trapdoor. It’s been a dreadful campaign for the club on and off the field and 2 points inside the relegation zone with just 2 games left to run, they are in big trouble.

A 1-0 defeat at Vasco midweek continued the visitors miserable run of form and having not won any of their last 7 games, scoring just twice in the process, it’s hard to see them getting out of the mess they’re in. With their fate no longer in their own hands, all Cruzeiro can do is try and secure a win in Porto Alegre but their prospects really don’t look the best in their current shape.

No surprises expected in Porto Alegre

Ultimately, it’s not hard to work out who the favourites to win this game are and that’s the hosts. Man for man, they are stronger than Cruzeiro in all areas of the pitch and there’s a reason 26 points separate the two in the standings.

All things considered, we see good value in backing a home win to nil here and it looks like the best way to play as far as the betting is concerned. Cruzeiro have fired a blank in 5 of their last 6 matches and for that reason, we fancy Gremio to keep a clean sheet and repeat their weekend margin of victory once again, with a 3-0 home win on the cards.