Racing vs Cruzeiro Prediction: Team News and Lineups Preview

It’s the Copa Sudamericana final on Saturday in Asuncion, Paraguay, and South American expert Nathan Joyes provides his Racing vs Cruzeiro prediction, team news, lineups and fixtures preview.

Racing come into this final in fine form, winning their last five matches in a row. The Argentine club came from behind to beat Corinthians in the semi-finals, and they are well within the Argentine Primera title race in the latter stages of the season.

Cruzeiro’s route to the final saw the Brazilian club overcome Boca Juniors and Libertad before Lanus in the semi-finals. Fernando Diniz will be hoping his experience in the Libertadores last campaign will help get his new team over the line.

• Racing vs Cruzeiro Tip 1: BTTS Yes
• Racing vs Cruzeiro Tip 2: Racing to lift the trophy

Racing vs Cruzeiro Prediction 1: Goals overpriced

Paraguay, Copa Sudamericana Final, Saturday, November 23rd, 20:00 (UK)

Finals are normally cagey affairs but the way in which these sides play, it appears as though it will be anything but – which is great for the neutrals looking to tune in to South America’s Europa League equivalent. 

Racing are a team that like to play on the front foot, looking to involve their flying wing-backs where possible to get bodies into the final third. Cruzeiro are a little more tactful, yet are quick on the counter, which could set this game up perfectly.

Colombian attacking midfielder Juan Quintero is their not-so secret weapon, who scored both goals in the semi-final second leg against Corinthians. He also put in a man of the match performance against Athletico PR on home soil, assisting one of the four goals Racing scored that evening.

Cruzeiro also has to worry about the competition’s top goalscorer Adrian Martinez. The bullish forward has been magnificent throughout the Sudamericana, scoring nine goals in just 12 appearances. Capable in the air and with both feet, his link up with Quintero could be the difference.

Yet the Brazilians have their own potential match winning players. Matheus Pereira has been magnificent since his return to his native land, and the no.10 is the one that pulls the strings in the middle of the park. Young forwards Kaio Jorge and Gabriel Veron either side of him are pacey and troublesome, and Racing’s full-backs will need to be careful to not be caught too high up the pitch.

It’s worth noting Racing only kept one clean sheet in the knockout stage, which came away against Chilean outfit Huachipato, whereas Cruzeiro kept two – although expected ones against inferior opponents in Libertad and Lanus.

There’s simply too much attacking talent on display for this game to fizzle out or see only one team dominate, which is why both teams to score at odds-against is a very generous price.

• Racing vs Cruzeiro Prediction 1: BTTS Yes (TRACKED BET)
• Best Odds: 2.10
• Bookmaker: bet365
• Stake: 7/10

Racing vs Cruzeiro Prediction 2: Argentines to break the mould

In a world where Brazilian teams are dominating the Copa Libertadores, this might be Argentina’s best opportunity to showcase the gap isn’t quite as big as what people are suggesting.

Racing have been so impressive during the knockout stages, but noticeably the way in which they have knocked out not one, but two Brazilian teams will give them plenty of confidence.

After losing their quarter-final first leg in Brazil to Athletico PR, Racing hammered their opponents 4-1 in front of their own fans. Next up were Corinthians in the semi-finals – also with the first leg on the road.

Corinthians have only lost one match in 90 minutes in 2024 at home, yet Racing didn’t change their approach and took a deserved 2-2 draw back to Argentina. Although dominant at home, using their boy balls to their advantage, Racing showed they can cope in hostile environments, and that might give them the edge in the final.

Cruzeiro rested the vast amount of their squad in their last league game, and therefore may head into this fresh – but not completely up to speed from the off. With Racing in a title race, they’ve continued to field their strongest team and it’s paid off with five wins on the spin. Their last game was seven days before this fixture, and there will be no tired legs to hold them back.

Although the final will be held at a neutral venue, Racing sold out their 12,000 allocation within minutes. This is a huge occasion for the club as they seek their first ever Sudamericana title. 

• Racing vs Cruzeiro Prediction 2: Racing to lift the trophy
• Best Odds: 1.75
• Bookmaker: bet365
• Stake: 6/10

Racing vs Cruzeiro Prediction odds via bet365 as at 16:00, November 19th, 2024. Odds may now differ.

Racing vs Cruzeiro Possible Lineups:

Racing possible starting lineup:
Arias; Rojas, Garcia, Sosa, Di Cesare, Martirena, Salas, Nardoni, Almendra, Quintero, Martinez

Cruzeiro possible starting lineup:
Cassio; Marlon, Villalba, Marcelo, Furtado, Walace, Henrique, Veron, Pereira, Barreal, Jorge

Match Stats

• Racing head into the final having won their last five matches across all competitions.
• Adrien Martinez could be the difference for the Argentine club, having scored nine goals in 12 Sudamericana appearances.
• Cruzeiro head into this encounter having lost three of their last five matches across all competitions.

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