Cruzeiro v Cuiaba Esporte Clube

Cruzeiro vs Cuiaba Preview

Cruzeiro dropped down to ninth place in the Brazil A standings following a 2-0 defeat away from home at high-flying Sao Paulo but they now return to the more familiar surroundings of their Estádio Governador Magalhães Pinto for this midweek clash against a Cuiaba outfit who occupy second from bottom in the domestic top flight despite inflicting a comprehensive 5-2 win over Criciuma away from home last time out.

Despite being handed a 2-0 loss away from home at Sao Paulo last week though, Cruzeiro have made a solid start to this new Brazilian top flight season as the hosts have lost just twice in their opening six games overall along with picking up three wins and a draw in the process as well.

It is worth noting that four of Cruzeiro's six games to date have actually been away from home where losses at Atletico Mineiro and Sao Paulo have been inflicted upon Fernando Seabra's side as well as gaining a point in a 1-1 draw at Fortaleza followed by a 1-0 win on the road at Atletico GO as well.

Cruzeiro have therefore played only twice on home soil at their Estádio Governador Magalhães Pinto which have resulted in wins against Botafogo and Vitoria respectively.

Cuiaba finally broke their winless start to this new Brazilian top flight campaign on the weekend when they registered a resounding 5-2 win away from home at fellow strugglers Criciuma which the visitors will be hoping can bring them some momentum heading into this tough looking trip to the Estádio Governador Magalhães Pinto.

Cuiaba had previously slipped to five defeats within their opening six games which included being handed defeats by the likes of Athletico PR, Gremio, Atletico Mineiro, Palmeiras and Internacional respectively, while managing to pick up just one point from a possible 18 on offer thanks to a 0-0 draw at home to Vitoria.

Despite picking up all three points last weekend, Cuiaba still remain in the relegation zone in the Serie A table and recent results overall in the domestic top flight suggest this upcoming fixture against Cruzeiro is likely to be another tough assignment for Petit and his side.

The bigger picture shows Cuiaba have managed to capture just two wins from their previous 11 games overall in Serie A, along with collecting just four wins in their last 13 outings on the road which also includes slipping to seven defeats as well.

Cruzeiro v Cuiaba Verdict

Cruzeiro have won both of their opening two games on home soil this season at their Estádio Governador Magalhães Pinto and although Cuiaba have enjoyed the better of the exchanges against them in previous meetings (winning two of the last four encounters), Cruzeiro look the more likely to pick up the points here.

Therefore, our main bet will be Cruzeiro win @ 1.57

Other side bets worth considering:

Cruzeiro win & Under 2.5 goals @ 3.00

Correct Score: Cruzeiro 2-0 @ 6.00