Palmeiras vs Cruzeiro Predictions

Saturday’s Brazilian Serie A action sees Palmeiras doing battle with Cruzeiro at the Allianz Parque. The hosts arrive as huge favourites to win the match and are expected to do so without any issues.

After crashing out of the Copa Libertadores at the quarter final stage prior to losing 3-0 at title rivals Flamengo, spirits took a big hit at Palmeiras. Manager Luiz Felipe Scolari departed and Mano Menezes’ looked like facing a huge task in picking up morale upon his arrival, but the ex-Cruzeiro boss has made an excellent start to his reign, coming from behind to beat Goias 2-1 away from home prior to mauling Fluminense 3-0 in midweek.

Said wins have Palmeiras right back in the title race and just 3 points behind Flamengo, the side will be giving everything to retain their domestic crown over the coming months. With an unbeaten home record in Serie A so far this season, winning 6 of their 8 matches in the process, those taking to the pitch on Saturday will do so in a very confident state and nothing less than 3 points will be considered an acceptable result.

Meanwhile, just weeks into his new job, Cruzeiro boss Rogerio Ceni is probably thinking he may have bitten off more than he can chew after departing Fortaleza to take over Raposa. Last week, he was criticized by members of his own squad for the team he named in the Brazilian Cup semi-final defeat to Internacional, whilst at the weekend the team put in a pitiful performance, going down 4-1 losers at home to Gremio.

Just 3 points and 1 place above the Serie B trapdoor, it’s clear that Cruzeiro are in a real mess and huge pressure is building on the team ,with fans having protested all week at the training ground calling for the players and board members to depart. Without a win on the road all season in Serie A, confidence is at rock bottom prior to making the trip and it’s fair to say the visitors prospects look extremely bleak.

Ultimately, there only seems to be one likely winner on Saturday and that’s Palmeiras. Menezes’ will know exactly how to get the better of Cruzeiro, having managed them for over 3 years and with his new side extremely strong at home and in far greater shape than the visitors, Saturday’s game is not a particularly hard one to call.

All things considered, backing Palmeiras on the -1 handicap looks the best way to play as far as the betting is concerned in this one and is exactly where our money is going. They’ve scored an average of 2 goals a game at home in Serie A this season and we think they’ll continue that average with a comfortable 2-0 win over a visiting outfit in complete disarray.