Teams meet again after three years
Fluminense and Cruzeiro face each other this Thursday, at 19:00 (Brasilia time), at Maracanã, for the first leg of the round of 16 of the Copa do Brasil. The last time the teams faced each other was in 2019, also for the round of 16 of the tournament. At the time, the fox got the better of it and advanced to the quarterfinals.
After 13 games and 13 different squads, for reasons of absence or technical option, Diniz must repeat the team for the first time and has the entire squad at his disposal (exceptions are Luan Freitas, who alternates between professional and under-23, and the recently -contractor Alan, not yet settled). Felipe Melo and Cris Silva, recovered from pain in the right knee, have returned to training normally and should be related, but the trend is for the coach to keep Nonato and Caio Paulista in the team, with the improvised striker on the left side. Marcos Felipe, with conjunctivitis, is off the bench.
On the Minas side, Paulo Pezzolan does not have Neto Moura, one of the main players in the campaign. The midfielder cannot play for the Copa do Brasil for Cruzeiro, as he played in the competition for Mirassol. Without him, Adriano and Filipe Machado fight for a spot. In attack, the question is whether Rafa Silva starts alongside Edu or if Daniel Jr. will have a chance in the starting lineup again.
RETROSPECT – FLUMINENSE X CRUZEIRO
The two teams have faced each other 71 times in history. There were 27 victories for Fluminense, 24 for Cruzeiro and 20 draws. Their last duel was for the 2019 Brasileirão and ended 0-0. Even so, in the same year, they disputed who would advance to the quarterfinals of the Copa do Brasil. After equal aggregate score, Raposa advanced on penalties.
BEST BETS AND TIPS
Fluminense is the favorite against Cruzeiro at Sportsbet.io odds. For every $1 wagered, $1.92 is paid for Tricolor to win, $3.37 for a tie, and $4.16 if Fox wins.
Another popular odd is based on goals scored in the game. For this match, $2.10 is paid for both teams to score, and $1.68 for not. There is also the possibility of betting which team will score first, paying $1.55 if it is Fluminense, and $2.85 if it is Cruzeiro.
