Cruzeiro vs Palmeiras Prediction: Team News and Lineups Preview
The Brasileirão title race isn’t over, and with that in mind our South American expert Nathan Joyes provides his Cruzeiro vs Palmeiras prediction, team news, lineups and fixtures preview.
Palmeiras’ harrowing 3-1 defeat against Botafogo last week means they now need to rely on the Copa Libertadores champions to drop points if they are to retain their crown.
Cruzeiro are still battling it out for a Libertadores spot next campaign, but recent form hasn’t been good since they lost the Copa Sudamericana final. The visitors must win to take the title race to the final day – and they might just do that.
- Cruzeiro vs Palmeiras Tip 1: Palmeiras to win
- Cruzeiro vs Palmeiras Tip 2: BTTS Yes
Cruzeiro vs Palmeiras Prediction 1: Verdão to bounce back
Brazil, Brazil Serie A, Thursday, December 5th, 00:30 (UK)
Palmeiras were in pole position with just three rounds to go, reducing Botafogo’s seven point lead to zero before they turned up at Allianz Parque and played them off the pitch. It was unexpected, but Abel Ferreira’s side now need to dig deep and hope either Internacional or Sao Paulo can do them a favour.
However, the Portuguese coach must focus on collecting three points away against Cruzeiro in order to take the title race to the final day of the season. Although a tricky looking tie on the surface, Cruzeiro’s form under Fernando Diniz hasn’t been anything to shout about.
The hosts have only won two in their last 14 matches – one in the Sudamericana against Lanus (1-0), while the other was against relegation-threatened Criciuma (2-1) at home. Two draws have followed since they lost the Sudamericana final – one against Bragantino who haven’t won since 1st September.
And so Palmeiras must take advantage of Cruzeiro’s poor form. But if we put a line through their Botafogo defeat, Ferreira’s side had been closing the season in strong form. Six wins, two draws and two losses from their last ten matches, they’ve played like champions since August.
Estevao was arguably the only player to come out with any credit last week, and the joint-top goalscorer and assister in the league will be called upon once more for a moment of brilliance to help Palmeiras out.
Club captain Raphael Veiga has 11 goals to his name, and having scored two in his last three matches, will be pushing higher up the pitch into a no.10 role in order to help out the teenage wonderkid.
It might not be pretty, but Palmeiras can use their experience to stifle a poor Cruzeiro side that haven’t convinced for a while.
- Cruzeiro vs Palmeiras Prediction 1: Palmeiras to win
- Best Odds: 2.10
- Bookmaker: bet365
- Stake: 7/10
Cruzeiro vs Palmeiras Prediction 2: Hosts to make it interesting
Palmeiras can win this, but it might not be quite as simple as many will expect. There’s a reason why they haven’t coasted to the title – and that has been down to a lack of consistency on their travels.
They head into this fixture having conceded six goals from their last five away matches, despite having lost just one of those (W3 D1 L1). Clean sheets have been hard to come by on the road for the champions, who have kept just six this campaign.
Their capitulation against Botafogo last week all stemmed from switching off from a corner. No doubt Ferreira would have been furious that his team lost concentration so easily in their biggest game of the season. The pressure is on, and Palmeiras may have moments in the match where they aren’t in control.
Cruzeiro, on the other hand, have scored in seven of their last ten at home, only failing to score against Flamengo, Internacional and Sao Paulo during their poor run of results. In fact, they’ve only drawn one blank since the end of September in front of their own fans.
Palmeiras have only kept one clean sheet away to Cruzeiro in their last five, stretching back to 2017, and if they want to win the title once again, they are going to have to do it the hard way.
- Cruzeiro vs Palmeiras Prediction 2: BTTS Yes
- Best Odds: 1.80
- Bookmaker: bet365
- Stake: 7/10
Cruzeiro vs Palmeiras Prediction odds via bet365 as at 09:30, December 2nd, 2024. Odds may now differ.
Cruzeiro vs Palmeiras Injuries, Team News and Possible Lineups:
Cruzeiro possible starting lineup:
Cassio; Marlon, Villalba, Marcelo, Furtado, Pereira, Silva, Vital, Romero, Diaz, Barreal
Palmeiras possible starting lineup:
Weverton; Paulista, Reis, Gomez, Giay, Moreno, Rios, Estevao, Veiga, Dudu, Rony
Match Stats
- Palmeiras beat Cruzeiro earlier in the season 2-0 at Allianz Parque.
- Cruzeiro have only won two of their last 14 matches.
- Palmeiras have the second best away record in the league, only behind Botafogo.
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