Cruzeiro vs Flamengo - prediction, team news, lineups

Cruzeiro and Flamengo look disconnected connected Thursday astatine the Mineirao successful the archetypal limb of their Copa Libertadores last-16 tie.

This clash brings unneurotic 2 of Brazil's biggest clubs successful a fixture steeped successful Libertadores history, with contrasting group-stage campaigns mounting the signifier for different high-profile encounter.

Flamengo get with the champion group-stage record, portion Cruzeiro finished 2nd successful Group D and present look to usage location vantage astatine the Mineirao to physique a pb earlier the instrumentality limb astatine the Maracana.

Match preview

Cruzeiro reached the Copa Libertadores Round of 16 aft finishing 2nd successful Group D with 11 points. Their qualification was sealed with a 4-0 triumph implicit Barcelona de Guayaquil, highlighting a broadside susceptible of controlling matches erstwhile allowed abstraction to attack. In the Brasileirao, a 3-1 triumph implicit Mirassol helped them hole for the instrumentality to continental action.

Artur Jorge, however, faces important enactment problems. Fagner and Lucas Romero are suspended and volition miss the archetypal leg, portion Gabriel Pec and Luis Sinisterra stay retired done injury.

With less options, Matheus Pereira becomes adjacent much important successful the originative phase, and Gerson is acceptable to play a cardinal relation successful helping Cruzeiro bushed the property without leaving the midfield exposed.

The Mineirao is 1 of Raposa's top assets. The backing of the location assemblage could beryllium decisive successful a fixture wherever adjacent a slim pb mightiness marque a quality up of the travel to the Maracana.

For Artur Jorge, the situation volition beryllium to equilibrium attacking intent with antiaircraft subject against a broadside that finished the radical signifier with the competition's champion attack.

Flamengo get astatine the Round of 16 aft a ascendant group-stage campaign, collecting 16 points from six matches with 5 wins, 1 draw, and 14 goals scored. Leonardo Jardim's broadside conceded conscionable 2 goals, numbers that spot the reigning champions firmly among this season's favourites.

However, Flamengo are inactive looking to regain bushed aft the World Cup break. In the Brasileirao, they drew with Sao Paulo and Internacional earlier beating Vitoria 2-0. Jardim has mislaid Vitao to wounded and continues to show Alex Sandro's fitness, portion Luiz Araujo remains sidelined. Leo Ortiz, meanwhile, is disposable again to fortify the defence.

Despite these issues, Flamengo person match-winners passim the squad. Arrascaeta and Carrascal tin exploit abstraction betwixt Cruzeiro's lines, portion Pedro provides a changeless menace successful the box. The instrumentality of Lucas Paqueta gives Jardim much options successful midfield, though helium is inactive moving backmost to afloat fittingness aft his World Cup injury.

The archetypal limb is apt to power some teams' tactical approach. Cruzeiro cognize they indispensable capitalise connected location vantage without getting drawn into an unfastened contest. Flamengo, with the comfortableness of a location 2nd leg, whitethorn opt for a much controlled game, waiting patiently for opportunities to strike.

As a result, a balanced lucifer with constricted abstraction and heightened absorption connected mistakes is likely. Both sides person capable attacking prime to forestall a stalemate, but the two-legged format should guarantee a much cautious attack than successful league play.

Cruzeiro Copa Libertadores form:

Cruzeiro signifier (all competitions):

Flamengo Copa Libertadores form:

Flamengo signifier (all competitions):

Team News

Cruzeiro are without 2 cardinal players for the archetypal leg: Fagner and Lucas Romero are suspended owed to accumulated yellowish cards successful the radical signifier and volition miss this match. Gabriel Pec and Luis Sinisterra stay sidelined with semipermanent injuries, limiting Artur Jorge's options.

Matheus Henrique is disposable for Libertadores enactment contempt a home suspension. New signings Lucho Rodriguez, Wesley, and Joao Costa are each registered for the knockout phase. Wesley and Joao Costa featured against Mirassol, portion Lucho awaits his debut.

Flamengo person mislaid Vitao for the necktie aft the centre-back suffered a thigh injury. Leo Ortiz is acceptable to instrumentality alongside Leo Pereira successful defence. Alex Sandro is simply a uncertainty aft calf pain, portion Luiz Araujo is inactive recovering from a genu problem.

The bully quality for Jardim is that Lucas Paqueta is disposable aft recovering from his World Cup injury. De la Cruz is besides eligible successful the Libertadores pursuing a home suspension. Flamengo indispensable inactive negociate the fittingness of players returning from precocious World Cup duty, but the bulk of the first-choice squad is available.

Cruzeiro imaginable starting lineup:

Otavio; William, Bruno, Marcelo, Rojas; Silva, Gerson, Pereira; Arroyo, Rodrigues, Jorge

Flamengo imaginable starting lineup:

Rossi; Royal, Ortiz, Pereira, Lucas; Pulgar, Jorginho, Arrascaeta; Carrascal, Pedro, Lino

We say: Cruzeiro 1-1 Flamengo

Cruzeiro person capable prime to clasp their ain astatine the Mineirao, particularly with Matheus Pereira and Gerson connected the pitch. The broadside besides travel into this necktie disconnected a 3-1 triumph implicit Mirassol and volition beryllium backed by a assemblage utilized to large Libertadores occasions.

Flamengo, meanwhile, person enjoyed a stronger continental run and person much match-winners. Recent absences, however, constrictive that advantage, and the value of the archetypal limb should promote caution. As a result, a 1-1 gully looks the astir apt outcome.

For information investigation of the astir apt results, scorelines and much for this lucifer delight click here.