Palmeiras will be seeking to reclaim top spot in the Brasileiro table when they visit Mineirao to face off against Cruzeiro on Sunday evening.

The home side, meanwhile, head into this weekend's encounter with the opportunity to move to the summit of the standings, although they would need to claim a first win over their visitors since September 2018.

Match preview

© Imago

Touted as one of the brightest talents to have emerged from Brazilian football, teenage sensation Willian Estevao bade farewell to the Allianz Parque in style with a superb display in Thursday's 6-0 drubbing of Sporting Cristal.

Taking to the field of his current employers one last time before joining Premier League giants Chelsea, Estevao grabbed a goal and an assist apiece prior to his substitution on the hour, marked by a loud ovation.

Estevao had been a cornerstone of Palmeiras' attack over the last 12 months, but Abel Ferreira's men will now need to find a new focal point in the final third as they look to reclaim their title from reigning champions Botafogo.

Despite a 2-0 defeat to Flamengo in their most recent league involvement last Sunday, the Alviverde sit second with 22 points from their 10 matches, one behind Red Bull Bragantino, one clear of Flamengo and two ahead of Cruzeiro.

Having scored just 11 times in league action so far, Sunday's visitors will be hoping that their attacking salvo on the continental front last time out sparks a domestic renaissance ahead of a demanding June schedule.

Palmeiras' trip to Belo Horizonte is their penultimate Brasileiro involvement before they jet off to the United States for the start of the newly expanded FIFA Club World Cup tournament, which kicks off on June 15.

© Imago

After losing five of their opening eight matches across all competitions, Cruzeiro looked set for an underwhelming campaign but have since turned things around, going unbeaten in the subsequent 10 matches.

Leonardo Jardim's men have won seven of those games and have been solid at both ends of the pitch, scoring 17 times and keeping seven clean sheets off the back of a goalless draw against Union de Sante Fe in Thursday's Copa Libertadores action.

This followed a 2-0 victory over Fortaleza as Cruzeiro made it 13 points from the last five league matches, the most of any Brasileiro team during that span with an emphatic 9-1 aggregate score.

Just three points off top spot at the moment, it remains to be seen how sustainable La Bestia Negra's title charge is, but the signs are looking positive as they prepare to welcome Palmeiras, aiming to return to winning ways in front of their fans.

Winless in eight consecutive clashes against Sunday's opponents, the home side have not fared well in this fixture, although this weekend's encounter offers them arguably their best chance of turning the tide.

Team News

© Imago

Gustavo Gomez and Murilo are both ineligible to feature for Palmeiras here due to an accumulation of yellow cards, while Bruno Rodrigues and Felipe Anderson continue to nurse knee and hamstring injuries respectively.

With Estevao on the verge of leaving the club, Allan is expected to be handed more playing minutes by the away side in his second season since coming through the ranks.

Following his double against Sporting Cristal, Flaco Lopez has now found the back of the net three times in his last two outings, making him one to keep an eye on.

Joao Marcelo, Matheus Henrique and Wanderson are all sidelined with knee injuries, ruling them out of contention to play any part for Cruzeiro in Sunday's game.

Midfielder Japa is also expected to miss out due to a long-term thigh problem, while 30-year-old Lucas Villalba will serve a one-game ban for the away side.

Cruzeiro possible starting lineup:
Cassio; Kaiki, Jesus, Bruno, Furtado; Christian, Silva, Romero; Jorge, Barbosa, Marquinhos

Palmeiras possible starting lineup:
Weverton; Giay, Gomez, Fuchs; Mayke, Martinez, Evangelista, Piquerez; Allan, Roque, Lopez

© PA Photos

We say: Cruzeiro 1-1 Palmeiras

Both teams will have every reason to believe they can claim all three points from this one which should give rise to a cracking contest.

That said, we are backing a share of the spoils with honours even at the end of the 90 minutes.


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

Written by
Adepoju Marvellous

Previews by email