Making their first semi-final appearance in the Copa Sudamericana, Cruzeiro will host Lanus on Wednesday at Mineirao in the opening leg of that tie.
In the previous stage of this tournament, Cruzeiro advanced beyond Club Libertad 3-1 on aggregate, while the Argentines managed to oust Independiente Medellin on penalties.
Match preview
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Cruzeiro have consistently got off to fast starts throughout the Sudamericana this year, and that carried them beyond Libertad in the quarter-finals.
Celeste have scored eight goals before the 25th minute in this tournament and are undefeated at home in the Sudamericana this year.
Fernando Diniz's men have won just one of their previous eight home matches across all competitions but have only been beaten in one of those instances, losing 1-0 to Sao Paulo in Brasileiro Serie A action last September.
Cruzeiro have never been behind in a Sudamericana home fixture this year, failing to win just two matches in Minerao in the 2024 competition.
Since a 2-0 win over Libertad in leg one of their quarter-final tie, the side based in Belo Horizonte have netted a goal or fewer in five successive competitive fixtures.
Cabuloso have won their only two home games against Argentine opposition in this tournament, including a 2-1 victory over Boca Juniors in the round of 16, advancing from that tie on penalties.
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A pair of quarter-final fixtures in which chances were few and far between went the way of Lanus, who held their nerve in a penalty shootout versus Independiente Medellin.
Ricardo Zielinski's men are undefeated away from home in the competition this year, playing to a 1-1 draw in Medellin the last time out before advancing on penalties.
Lately, though, they have hit a roadblock, going winless in three consecutive matches across all competitions, suffering a 2-0 domestic defeat versus Independiente on Friday.
Lanus have failed to win nine straight competitive fixtures in normal time, with their last victory within 90 minutes occurring in August in the second leg of their Sudamericana tie with LDU Quito (3-1).
Granate have never lost a semi-final game in this competition, winning both matches in their previous appearance at this stage in 2021 versus Velez Sarsfield.
They have never beaten a Brazilian opponent away from home in this tournament, but they managed to come from behind and claim a 1-1 draw at Cuiaba on matchday one.
Team News
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There may be several players unavailable for Cruzeiro on Wednesday as Rafa Silva has a sore knee, Japa is dealing with a broken foot and Vitinho is recovering from a thigh injury.
Juan Dinenno is out for the remainder of the season due to an ACL injury, while Matheus Henrique and Lautaro Diaz are questionable because of muscle issues.
Lucas Romero will be suspended for this encounter after receiving a pair of cautions in their previous Sudamericana contest in a match where Kaio Jorge had the only goal for the home side.
A meniscus issue is likely to keep Ezequiel Munoz on the Lanus sidelines, Abel Luciatti could miss this match because of a muscle strain and Raul Loaiza is expected to be out for the rest of the campaign with an ACL injury.
Nicolas Morgantini has an Achilles tendon problem, and Nery Dominguez could miss a few more weeks due to a groin strain.
Daniel Londono's own goal was all Lanus could manage in their previous match versus Independiente Medellin, while Nahuel Losada stopped one penalty in the shootout and saw another one sail over the bar, enabling them to advance.
Cruzeiro possible starting lineup:
Cassio; William, Ivaldo, Villalba, Xavier; Walace, Peralta; Diaz, Pereira, Veron; Jorge
Lanus possible starting lineup:
Losada; Morgantini, Izquierdoz, Munoz, Soler; Boggio, Salvio; Moreno, Carrera, Torres; Bou
We say: Cruzeiro 1-0 Lanus
While Lanus have a dangerous attacking player in Walter Bou, his teammates have not provided him great service over the past few weeks, and we trust Cruzeiro's overall depth to claim a narrow victory in this one.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
Joel Lefevre
