Ponte Preta vs Cruzeiro Betting Tips & Predictions

Cruzeiro have really endured a torrid start to the campaign. The 2013 and 2014 champions of Brazil find themselves in unfamiliar territory at the very bottom of the pile after 9 matches. They’ve lost their last 2 games at home to Flamengo and away at Gremio without netting in either although they were hampered by suspensions following a bad-tempered derby win at Atletico Mineiro where they had 3 men sent off. They did score 3 times in that match but only have 5 goals in their other 8 fixtures in the league so far this term, a record that is the joint worst in the division.

Ponte Preta can be a bit of a soft touch on the road but they are positive and often successful on their home patch and will fancy their chances of winning this game. They were beaten 3-0 at Atletico Mineiro at the weekend but have won 3 of their 4 home games so far and are in the top half coming into this match. Defensively there are question-marks against them though and both teams have scored in all of their 4 home games so far this term.

The bookies make the hosts slight favourites but they perhaps should be a bit shorter than what they are given how abject Cruzeiro have been in the opening weeks of the season. Ponte Preta score plenty of goals at their own stadium and have netted 19 in their last 7 home games alone in all competitions and they could very well end up outscoring Cruzeiro here in what could be one of the better games of the weekend. Therefore backing Ponte Preta Draw No Bet at 8/11 looks a solid punt here.