Cruzeiro will be eager to redeem themselves after a disappointing 4-1 defeat against Bahia when they face Athletico Paranaense on Wednesday night.
Athletico Paranaense travel to Cruzeiro on Wednesday night with the aim of maintaining their push for the Brasileiro Serie A title.
Match Preview
Currently positioned eighth in the league with 17 points, Cruzeiro find themselves seven points adrift of the top spot and two points behind their upcoming opponents.
While their recent loss was a setback, their home form offers a source of optimism. Boasting the fourth-best home record in the league, Cruzeiro have secured maximum points from their four home matches so far.
Their attacking prowess at home is evident with 10 goals scored, although some defensive frailties are exposed by the four goals conceded.
However, their recent form overall paints a mixed picture. Two wins, two defeats, and a draw in their last five games highlight a need for consistency.
Furthermore, their xG rating of 9.4 ranks just 16th in the league, suggesting they might be slightly underperforming their goalscoring opportunities.
Head-to-head, Cruzeiro hold a slight historical advantage over Athletico Paranaense. In their 24 meetings, Cruzeiro have emerged victorious on nine occasions, with eight draws and seven wins for their opponents.
With a win on Wednesday night, Cruzeiro could close the gap to the top of the table and maintain their impressive home dominance. However, they face a stern test against a strong Athletico Paranaense side, so bouncing back from their recent defeat will be crucial.
Currently occupying fifth place in the league with 19 points, they trail the leaders by just five points and boast a two-point advantage over their upcoming opponents.
While their overall form is impressive, their recent away record presents a slight concern. They have managed just one win in their last five away fixtures, alongside two draws and two defeats.
Despite this inconsistency on the road, Athletico Paranaense possess a potent attacking threat. Their xG rating of 15.5 ranks as the fourth-best in the league, suggesting they are creating a significant number of goalscoring opportunities.
However, their recent run of three consecutive draws, including a 1-1 stalemate against Corinthians last time out, highlights a need to convert these chances into victories.
Furthermore, their last win against Cruzeiro came all the way back in 2019, showcasing the historical advantage their opponents hold in head-to-head encounters.
Despite these challenges, Athletico Paranaense will be confident in their ability to secure a positive result. Their strong attacking potential and unbeaten run in recent matches make them a dangerous opponent.
A victory at the Estadio Mineirão would be a significant statement in their title aspirations, propelling them closer to the top of the table.
Injury News
Cruzeiro will face Athletico Paranaense on Wednesday night with a number of key players unavailable due to suspensions and injuries.
- Defensive Absence: Marlon sits out the match due to a suspension, leaving a gap in their backline.
- Midfield General Missing: Cruzeiro will also be without the services of influential midfielder José Cifuentes, who is away on international duty.
- Attacking Options Limited: Injuries to strikers Juan Dinenno (groin) and Rafael Silva (thigh) further hamper their attacking options. Both players are not expected to return until early July 2024.
Athletico Paranaense will be navigating a selection headache for their crucial clash against Cruzeiro on Wednesday night due to international duty and injuries.
- International Call-Ups: The squad will be without the services of two key players, Bento Krepski and Agustin Canobbio, who are away representing their national teams. These absences will weaken their options in defense and midfield respectively.
- Attacking Uncertainty: Adding to their woes, attacking midfielder Felipinho is a doubt for the match due to illness. His creative presence and goalscoring threat would be significant losses if he is unable to feature.
- Defensive Blow: Defensively, Athletico Paranaense are also depleted with Tomas Cuello ruled out with a knee injury. He is not expected to return until mid-July 2024, forcing the manager to find a solution at left-back.
Cruzeiro’s predicted lineup:
Anderson; William, Ivaldo, Marcelo, Vilalba; Pereira, Silva, Ramiro, Romero; Veron, Robert
Athletico Paranaense predicted lineup:
Linck; Madson, Rocha, Heleno, Esquivel; Erick, Fernandinho; Nikao, Christian, Cuello; Mastriani
Score Prediction: Cruzeiro 1-1 Athletico Paranese
While Cruzeiro will be eager to bounce back from their defeat and capitalize on their home advantage, they face a stern test against a strong Athletico Paranaense side. Both teams are missing key players due to suspensions and injuries, which could lead to a cagey encounter.
Cruzeiro’s defensive frailties could be exposed against Athletico Paranaense’s attacking prowess, but their home form suggests they won’t be easily defeated. A tightly contested match with a share of the spoils could be a likely outcome.