Preview:Cruzeiro vs Atletico Mineiro - prediction, team news, lineups

In the driving seat of their Copa do Brasil quarter-final tie, Cruzeiro welcome fierce rivals Atletico Mineiro to the Mineirao for the return leg this midweek.

Raposa hold a two-goal cushion going into Thursday’s Classico Mineiro after earning a 2-0 triumph at the Arena MRV in the opening fixture a fortnight ago.

Match preview

Last month’s first-leg success highlighted Cruzeiro’s sharper attacking edge as, despite seeing far less of the ball than their hosts, they took the spoils through goals from Fabricio Bruno and Kaio Jorge.

The Foxes then extended their strong run by edging Sao Paulo 1-0 in Serie A four days later thanks to Matheus Pereira’s strike, a result that lifted Leonardo Jardim’s side to second in the standings.

Cruzeiro are now four games unbeaten across all competitions, with their last three ending in victory, and each of those wins has been secured through decisive second-half displays.

Raposa are aiming to reach the semi-finals of the domestic cup for the first time in seven years, having last lifted the trophy in 2017 and 2018 when they won back-to-back editions to take their tally to four.

Having recorded five clean sheets in their last eight competitive fixtures, Cruzeiro have a right to feel confident of protecting their two-goal advantage in a tie that has built a reputation for being cagey.

That clash at the MRV Stadium was the sixth straight meeting between the two where both teams did not score, also marking Raposa’s only win in this sequence.

Atletico, meanwhile, may draw some encouragement from the fact they have won two games in that spell, including a 2-0 victory at the Mineirao in the Campeonato Mineiro.

The visitors have also enjoyed their share of glory in the Copa do Brasil, lifting the trophy twice, one of which came against Cruzeiro in the final, but they were runners-up last year after losing to Flamengo.

However, Galo gained a measure of revenge earlier in this campaign by edging past Flamengo in the previous round, prevailing on penalties after both sides had won away from home.

Atletico come into this week’s return leg under new leadership, with well-travelled manager Jorge Sampaoli set to take charge for the first time after the club slipped to three successive defeats.

The latest was a 1-0 reverse against Vitoria, leaving the Roosters 14th in the Brazilian top flight, and Sampaoli faces a tough task, especially in attack, with his side failing to score in any of those losses.

Cruzeiro Copa do Brasil form:

Cruzeiro form (all competitions):

Atletico Mineiro Copa do Brasil form:

Atletico Mineiro form (all competitions):

Team News

Striker Jorge and defender Bruno, who both struck for Cruzeiro in the first leg, are away on international duty with Brazil against Bolivia on Wednesday, so Jardim may be reluctant to start them even if they return in time given fatigue concerns.

Gabriel Barbosa replaced the forward at half-time in the victory over Sao Paulo and could lead the line here, while Jonathan Jesus is in line to deputise at the back.

Wanderson was forced off in that clash and remains a doubt, meaning Carlos Eduardo may be drafted in from the start.

Right-back Fagner continues to miss out with an ankle issue, while centre-back Joao Marcelo is sidelined with a knee injury.

For Atletico, it remains uncertain whether Junior Alonso, Alan Franco and Ivan Roman will be involved, with the trio expected to have little recovery time after international duty.

Bernard and Cadu are also doubtful for this clash, while Patrick Silva and Renzo Saravia face weeks on the sidelines.

The visitors will once again look to veteran forward Hulk to inspire a revival, hoping the 39-year-old, who has 16 goals this year, can rediscover his clinical touch.

Cruzeiro possible starting lineup:

Cassio; Furtado, J Jesus, Villalba, Kaiki; L Silva, Christian; Romero, M Pereira, C Eduardo; Barbosa

Atletico Mineiro possible starting lineup:

Everson; Natanael, Alonso, Hugo, Arana; Cuello, Franco, Alexsander, Scarpa; Hulk, Dudu

We say: Cruzeiro 0-0 Atletico Mineiro

This fixture has often been tight, with three of the last five ending goalless, and with Cruzeiro already holding a two-goal advantage, they are likely to be more conservative against an Atletico side struggling in attack, so another stalemate looks on the cards.

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