Cruzeiro know a victory over Barcelona SC will secure their passage through to the knockout stages of the Copa Libertadores, anything less and they could be eliminated.
The Brazilians sit second in Group D ahead of the final round of action, two points behind leaders Universidad Catolica and one ahead of Boca Juniors in third.
With those two teams set to face off in Buenos Aires and only the top two in the group advancing through to the knockout stages, it could be a nervy night on Thursday (both matches kick-off 01:30 Friday BST).
Visiting Barcelona SC have already been eliminated from this year’s Libertadores, but they did beat Boca earlier this month and will be keen to sign off on a high at the Mineirao.
Cruzeiro v Barcelona SC Tips Summary
Best Bet - Cruzeiro to win & over 2.5 goals @ 21/20
Alternative Bet - Kaio Jorge to score first @ 9/4
Bet Builder - Cruzeiro to win, Kaio Jorge to score, Marcos Mejia to be booked @ 9/2
Cruzeiro v Barcelona SC Prediction
Best Bet: Cruzeiro to win & over 2.5 goals @ 21/20
Cruzeiro have a clear class edge on Barcelona SC and they are likely to make that count at the Mineirao.
The Belo Horizonte outfit know they need to win to guarantee qualification without the need for help from elsewhere, so that should ensure a positive approach from the off.
Head coach Artur Jorge can call on excellent forwards Kaio Jorge, Matheus Pereira and Luis Sinisterra and their home attacking effort has been strong of late.
Cruzeiro hit 18 efforts on goal, nine corners and created an expected goals total of 2.96 in last weekend’s 2-1 win over Chapecoense in Brazil’s Serie A, underlining their attacking intent.
Prior to the success over Chapecoense, the Fox hit 19 shots in 1-0 cup victory over Goias at the Mineirao and they have lost only one of their last five home games.
Barcelona SC’s defence could be vulnerable to Cruzeiro’s attacking quality, as they have conceded eight times in this season’s Copa Libertadores and have only kept two clean-sheets in their last 13 games overall.
Cruzerio created an expected goals number of 2.13 and had four or five excellent chances in a 1-0 victory over Barcelona SC earlier in the group stage and better is expected in Belo Horizonte.
Alternative Bet: Kaio Jorge to score first @ 9/4
Kaio Jorge is an impressive young striker who scored 21 league goals for Cruzeiro last season.
The 24-year-old is yet to open his Copa Libertadores account this term, but he has hit four Serie A goals and was scoring for fun in the Campeonato Mineiro earlier this year.
Jorge will be on penalty-taking duty for the clash with Barcelona SC and he converted from the spot in the 2-1 win over Chapecoense at the weekend.
The former Juventus player is fancied to open the scoring at Mineirao.
Cruzeiro v Barcelona SC Bet Builder Tip
Cruzeiro to win
Kaio Jorge to score
Marcos Mejia to be booked
Pays 9/2
Cruzeiro need a positive result in their final Copa Libertadores Group D contest and they should take the opportunity to beat Barcelona SC, with Jorge a likely contender to get on the scoresheet.
Marcos Mejia is averaging 3.58 fouls per 90 minutes in the Ecuadorian top flight this term and the combative midfielder could be shown a card for the visitors.
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Key Match Stats
Cruzeiro have lost only one of their five Copa Libertadores matches this term
Cruzeiro have been beaten in only one of their last five home games
Cruzeiro registered an expected goals total of 2.96 in last weekend’s 2-1 win over Chapecoense
Barcelona SC have kept only two clean sheets in their last 13 matches
Barcelona SC have conceded eight goals in five Copa Libertadores games
Both teams have scored in six of Barcelona SC’s last 10 fixtures
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This article was written by a partner sports writer via Spotlight Sports Group. All odds displayed on this page were correct at the time of writing and are subject to withdrawal or change at any time.
