Cruzeiro vs Atletico Mineiro Predictions

Friday’s Brazilian Cup quarter final, first leg action sees local rivals Cruzeiro and Atletico Mineiro doing battle. It should be an exciting game, with plenty of action expected at both ends of the pitch.

It’s fair to say Cruzeiro couldn’t arrive in worse condition for this match, rocked by poor performances on the pitch and complete crisis off of it. Fancied to challenge for the Serie A title at the start of the season, the side currently find themselves in the relegation zone after 9 matches; a situation made all the worse by the fact a points deduction could be forthcoming due to alleged money laundering and illegal transfers of youth players that saw the club’s headquarters stormed by police in the build up to this game.

On paper, Cruzeiro aren’t a bad side but performances have been severely underwhelming and the feeling around the club is a very poor one. That has the team under huge pressure coming into this game, with fans demanding a win, but without one in 9 competitive matches, that certainly looks a big ask.

Meanwhile, Atletico Mineiro had been in their own crisis when they were knocked out of the Copa Libertadores earlier on in the year, but a good start to the Serie A season has them coming into this cup clash in much improved shape.

Galo currently stand 5th in the Serie A table but for now, all attention is on the cup; which is one of the main objectives for the team in the forthcoming months. Revenge is also a topic high on Atletico’s agenda, after they lost the Campeonato Mineiro final to Cruzeiro earlier on this year and securing a positive result in this game prior to the return leg is what those taking to the pitch will be desperate to do.

Ultimately, we’re expecting an open and exciting game on Friday. Neither side will be looking to sit back and that should help create a 90 minutes with plenty of openings. On home soil, Cruzeiro will be looking to play on the front foot whilst Atletico will be aiming to take full advantage of their rival’s vulnerable state with an aggressive performance.

All things considered, backing both teams to score looks the best way to play as far as the betting is concerned and is exactly where our money is going. 10 of Cruzeiro’s last 11 games have seen goals at either end, as have 4 of Atletico’s last 5 matches and both sequences could well continue in a 1-1 draw.