Brasileiro Serie A leaders Cruzeiro make the trip to Corinthians this midweek, aiming to preserve their flawless momentum, while the hosts remain in search of consistency.

The visitors have stormed to three consecutive victories in the league, but the hosts have only managed one win across their last six top-flight outings.

Match preview

Cruzeiro are enjoying a campaign that has exceeded expectations, especially considering they failed to break into the top eight in either of the previous two seasons since returning to the top flight.

The Belo Horizonte side gave further weight to their title credentials at the weekend with a 4-0 demolition of Juventude at Mineirao, which not only made it three wins on the bounce in Serie A but also stretched their unbeaten run in the competition to 10 matches (W8, D2).

As a result, Raposa sit three points clear at the summit with a tally of 33 from 15 games (W10, D3, L2), although they have played one more match than second-placed Flamengo.

Cruzeiro’s charge has been built on defensive steel, with just nine goals conceded and eight clean sheets, while their attack has produced 27 goals — currently the joint-best in the division.

Though Leonardo Jardim’s men struggled on the road earlier in the season, failing to win any of their first three away league games (D1, L2), Raposa have since turned that around with three victories from their last four, suggesting they arrive in Sao Paulo with confidence firmly on their side.

Momentum is something Corinthians have lacked in recent weeks, having failed to build on a crucial win at Ceara by slumping to a 2-0 defeat away to Sao Paulo in their most recent outing.

Dorival Junior’s men have taken just six points from their last six games, which marks a slight dip when compared to the nine matches preceding that spell, where their average (1.44 per game) was marginally higher, albeit not outstanding. 

Corinthians’ 19 points from 15 Brasileiro games this season place them 10th in the league, but the Sao Paolo club sit just two points above the first team outside the continental zone, with 13th-placed Gremio having a game in hand.

That leaves little margin for error this midweek, especially with Timao’s form at Neo Quimica Arena beginning to wobble, having failed to win either of their last two league matches at the venue (D1, L1) following three victories from their opening four.

Despite that downturn, the hosts can take heart from recent home dominance in this fixture, after recording victories in their last two such games with Cruzeiro, including a 2-1 success when both sides last faced off in November 2024.

Corinthians Brasileiro form:

Corinthians form (all competitions):

Cruzeiro Brasileiro form:

Cruzeiro form (all competitions):

Team News

Cruzeiro’s first-choice goalkeeper Cassio is expected to return between the sticks after missing the last encounter due to suspension.   

Beyond that, Jardim is unlikely to tinker much, with Kaio Jorge set to lead the line again after contributing two assists in the last match, even though he did not add to his impressive haul of 12 goals — the highest tally in the division.  

Joao Marcelo and Matheus Henrique remain sidelined due to knee injuries and will play no part in the trip to Sao Paulo.

Meanwhile, Corinthians are dealing with a host of absentees, as left back Hugo Farias (hernia), midfielder Ryan (stomach) and forward Yuri Alberto (back) are all ruled out, while Maycon could miss a second straight game with a thigh problem. 

Defensive midfielder Raniele will also be unavailable due to suspension after accumulating one too many bookings, further limiting options for head coach Junior.

Memphis Depay and Angel Romero started in a two-man attack last time out but struggled to make an impact, and given that, a change would not be surprising here.

Corinthians possible starting lineup:

Aragao; William, Bruno, Villalba, Kaiki; Romero, Eduardo; Christian, Gabriel, Marquinhos; Jorge

Cruzeiro possible starting lineup:

Souza; Mana, Caca, Ramalho, Bidu; Carrillo, Bidon, Martinez; Garro; Romero, Depay

We say: Corinthians 0-1 Cruzeiro

With Cruzeiro flying high and Corinthians still searching for rhythm, the visitors should have enough to finally break their poor run at Neo Quimica Arena and leave with all three points tucked under their belt.

For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.

Written by
Adeyeye Oluwapelumi

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