Cruzeiro will be looking to climb into the top four of the Brasileiro standings when they play host to a resurgent Coritiba side at the Estadio Raimundo Sampaio on Sunday.
While the hosts have won just one of their last five home matches, the visitors have picked up maximum points away from home on just one occasion all season.
Match preview
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Cruzeiro picked up just two points from a five-game winless league run between May 23 and June 21, but they have since accumulated seven points from their last three matches and have kept three clean sheets in the process.
A goalless draw with Internacional was sandwiched between two 1-0 victories against Sao Paulo and Vasco da Gama, with a first-half strike from Machado securing maximum points against the latter last Saturday.
Pepa's side, who won the Brazilian second-tier title last season, have climbed up to ninth in the Brasileiro table and they are now chasing down the top four as they sit just three points behind fourth-placed Fluminense, who face second-placed Flamengo this weekend.
Cruzeiro lost five home matches in a row without scoring, including four successive 1-0 losses between May 11 and June 21, but the aforementioned win over Sao Paulo and their 11-game unbeaten home run against Coritiba will provide them with confidence of securing a positive result on Sunday.
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After enduing a 14-game winless run in all competitions between April 12 and June 25, Coritiba have since won back-to-back Brasileiro matches against Goias and America Mineiro.
Despite falling behind to Mineiro in the eighth minute, goals from Alef Manga and Robson in the final five minutes of the first half turned the game on its head before substitute Victor Luis sealed the victory with a strike in the sixth-minute of second-half stoppage time.
Six points claimed in the last two matches has helped Thiago Kosloski's side climb off the foot of the Brasileiro table, and while they remain in the relegation zone in 18th spot, a third successive win on Sunday could see them move out of the bottom four if other results go their way.
Coritiba's away form leaves a little to be desired, though, as the aforementioned win over Goias (2-1) is their only victory on the road in the last 10 away games across all competitions – only America Mineiro (two) have picked up fewer away points in this season's Brasileiro than Kosloski's men (four).
Coxa lost 3-0 at home to Cruzeiro in their most recent meeting in October 2021, while their last away win against the Belo Horizonte-based club was back in July 2004 when they picked up all three points in a 3-0 league victory.
Team News
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Cruzeiro trio Rafael Bilu (Achilles), Ramiro (ACL) and Wesley Gasolina (ankle) all remain out due to injury, but Lucas Oliveira is available to return after serving a one-match suspension.
Oliveira will likely replace Hueglo Neris in the starting lineup and partner Luciano Castan at centre-back, with Kaiki Bruno and William set to continue as full-backs.
Gilberto will be pushing for a recall after starting the last two games as a substitute, but top scorer Bruno Rodrigues – who has eight goals to his name this term – is expected to lead the line once again.
As for Coritiba, Boschilia is ruled out after picking up a hamstring injury just six minutes after coming on as a second-half substitute against America Mineiro, while Liziero and Willian Farias remain in the treatment room.
First-choice goalkeeper Gabriel is expected to return between the sticks at the expense of Luan Polli after serving a one-match ban, with Benjamin Kuscevic and Henrique offering protection at centre-back.
Wingers Alef Manga and Robson, who have scored 19 goals between them so far this season, should continue to provide support in attack for Rodrigo Pinho, who is still searching for his first league goal this term.
Cruzeiro possible starting lineup:
Cabral; William, Oliveira, Castan, Bruno; Jussa; Wesley, Machado, Vital, Stenio; Rodrigues
Coritiba possible starting lineup:
Gabriel; Natanael; Kuscevic, Henrique, Luis; Fransergio, Gomes, Moreno; Robson, Pinho, Manga
We say: Cruzeiro 2-1 Coritiba
Both teams enter Sunday's contest in buoyant mood and will view this fixture as a good opportunity to claim another three points in their quest to climb the Brasileiro table.
While Coritiba's attackers could pose a threat to Cruzeiro's backline, we believe that the hosts, who will be regarded as the favourites, will come out on top to boost their top-four hopes.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
Top tip
Oliver Thomas
