Cruzeiro will hope to make home advantage count in the Copa Libertadores on Thursday when they host Brazilian rivals Flamengo at Mineirao.
The two giants of South American football will put everything on the line in what is the highlight of the Round of 16 fixtures.
Flamengo topped Group A after five victories from six matches and their incredible defensive record helped them on their way.
While Cruzeiro finished second in Group D, Flamengo will count themselves as unlucky to draw a team with so much attacking threat.
Domestically, both teams have played second fiddle to Palmeiras in recent years.
Flamengo sit second in the table and six points behind Palmeiras in Serie A, while Cruzeiro are fifth and nine points behind Thursday's opponents.
Cruzeiro v Flamengo Tips Summary
Best Bet - Flamengo to win @ 2/1
Alternative Bet - Under 2.5 goals @ 8/11
Bet Builder - Pedro Guilherme to score or assist, Pedro Guilherme 2+ shots on target & Matheus Pereira to be booked @ 13/2
Cruzeiro v Flamengo Prediction
Best Bet: Flamengo to win @ 2/1
Both clubs will consider themselves a touch unfortunate to have drawn each other at this stage of the competition.
Cruzeiro did not perform to their best, though, in the group stages, and by finishing second, they were always going to be up against it in the knockouts.
The appointment of Arthur Jorge in March has transformed Cruzeiro and the club's board have done all they can to improve their squad.
They have signed Gabriel Pec, Gabriel Rojas, Ze Lucas, Luis Sinisterra, Luciano Rodriguez, Wesley and Joao Costa in order to bridge the gap to the top teams in the competition.
There is a sense, though, that this game has come a year too early for the Fox. While Jorge has got his team playing well, they did only score eight goals in the group stages.
Flamengo are a settled team and the reigning champions. Big games like this are a regular occurrence for them, and they look like good value to continue their impressive record against Cruzeiro.
The hosts may have won their last game on home soil against Flamengo, but that is one of two successes they have enjoyed in the last 15 meetings.
Flamengo do not have to win this tie thanks to the beauty of a second leg, but they will want to stamp their authority as the defending champions.
Alternative Bet: Under 2.5 goals @ 8/11
Cruzeiro did not create too many chances in the group stages, their eight goals from six matches suggest they need to improve in the final third.
While their recent transfer business has tried to address that, they play a Flamengo side that are so tough to create chances against and Big Mengo only conceded two goals in the group stages.
Flamengo will look to stifle the hosts from the outset and they have the attacking flair needed to punish them when opportunities arise.
Cruzeiro v Flamengo Bet Builder Tip
Pedro Guilherme to score or assist
Pedro Guilherme 2+ shots on target
Matheus Pereira to be booked
Pays @ 13/2
Flamengo ace Pedro Guilherme has been a revelation this season and he should be the man to watch in the final third.
The 29-year-old has scored 21 goals and secured six assists this season in all competitions and he scored in Flamengo's last success over Cruzeiro in March.
He is highly likely to have a say in the outcome of Thursday's match and he should be able to try his luck on several occasions, having registered 29 shots on target from 54 attempts in Serie A and the Copa Libertadores.
Tempers should flare in such a passionate game and Cruzeiro's Matheus Pereira will do well to avoid trouble.
He has collected 13 yellow cards in 38 appearances and he looks on track to pick up his third yellow card in the competition.
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Key Match Stats
Cruzeiro are unbeaten in four matches in all competitions
Flamengo are unbeaten in their last six competitive matches and in their last 10, including friendlies
Cruzeiro beat Flamengo 2-0 in their last home fixture
Flamengo have avoided defeat in 13 of the last 15 head-to-head contests
Flamengo striker Pedro Guilherme has scored 21 goals and grabbed six assists in all competitions this season
Cruzeiro's Matheus Pereira has been booked 13 times this season in all competitions
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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.
