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Palmeiras
Brasileiro | Gameweek 18
Jul 21, 2024 at 1am UK
Allianz Parque
Cruzeiro

Palmeiras
2 - 0
Cruzeiro

Manuel Lopez (36'), Menino (90+2')
Ferreira (45+2'), Manuel Lopez (59'), Veiga (61'), Rafael (69'), Mauricio (76')
FT(HT: 1-0)

Barreal (38'), Romero (45+5'), Pereira (69'), Marcelo (90+3')

Preview: Palmeiras vs. Cruzeiro - prediction, team news, lineups

Sports Mole previews Sunday's Brasileiro clash between Palmeiras and Cruzeiro, including predictions, team news and possible lineups.

Second-place Palmeiras return to Brasileiro action against Cruzeiro at Allianz Parque on Saturday after losing a top-of-the-table tussle at Botafogo on Wednesday.

Verdao slipped three points behind Fogo after the 1-0 loss, and they aim to avoid that gap extending when they face their sixth-placed opponents in this weekend's gameweek 18 action.


Match preview

Palmeiras' Raphael Veiga celebrates scoring their second goal on July 12, 2024© Reuters

Abel Ferreira's men had notched back-to-back wins at Botafogo but could not make three straight victories in Fogo on Wednesday, falling to Artur Jorge's men 1-0 in round 17.

That result's upshot means Alviverde rank three points shy of the title challengers, who seek to usurp Palmeiras after consecutive title-winning campaigns.

It was the first time Verdao had failed to find the net in the league since losing 3-0 at Fortaleza at the backend of June, ending the club's four-game scoring run in the competition.

Returning to their stomping ground should guarantee goals, as Ferreira's men are on a six-match sequence of scoring their opponents in Sao Paulo, with Athletico Paranaense the last side to stop the second-placed side from scoring in the league in a 2-0 defeat for the club seeking three straight top-flight successes.

A 1-0 defeat to Internacional and a goalless encounter with Flamengo followed in April, but Alviverde have responded to those three winless home games by going on an extended sequence of wins on their turf.

Cruzeiro's Nikao celebrates scoring their first goal with teammates on May 30, 2024© Reuters

Cruzeiro seek to avoid becoming the seventh side to fall short at Palmeiras this term, even if their dismal road results inspire little confidence.

While Raposa's last away match ended 2-0 in the in-form side's favour, as they dispatched 10-man Gremio, the triumph was only the sixth-placed side's second on their travels.

Hitherto, Fernando Seabra's men had been beaten in three consecutive road games — losing 4-1 at Bahia, 2-1 at Flamengo and 1-0 at Criciuma — suggesting that the last away win was possibly an outlier and not the norm.

Adding another win on their travels leaves Seabra's men just outdoing six sides in the away standings, and their inability to string results on their travels potentially undermines ending in the top four positions.

They currently sit sixth — which guarantees qualification for the second of three stages — but a top-four berth means they advance into the Copa Libertadores proper.

For a side that ended last season 14th, this year represents undoubted improvement since Seabra replaced Nicolas Larcamon in early April, and Raposa hope to continue the ongoing trajectory in their ambition to return to the Libertadores for the first time since the 2018-19 season.

Palmeiras Brasileiro form:

Cruzeiro Brasileiro form:


Team News

Palmeiras' Estevao Willian / Willian Estevao / Messinho in action on May 9, 2024© Reuters

Estevao seemed to sustain an injury against Botafogo, and the Chelsea-bound attacker could miss this weekend's match.

Ferreira's preparations for this weekend's match are clouded by the potential absence of the team's star player, who could join the injured Lazaro (thigh) and Bruno Rodrigues (knee) on the sidelines, leaving the team without their leading goalscorer and top assist provider.

Cruzeiro's Alvaro Barreal was forced off after 68 minutes due to a seeming injury last time out against Bragantino, possibly making the midfield man doubtful for Saturday.

Celeste are not expected to have Walace, Marlon (shoulder), Rafael Silva (thigh) and Juan Dinenno (groin) available due to injury concerns.

Matheus Pereira was back among the goals in the win over Bragantino, and the former West Bromwich player aims to add to his six top-flight goals this weekend.


Palmeiras possible starting lineup:
Weverton; Rocha, Gomez, Murilo, Piquerez; Moreno, Menino; Mauricio, Veiga, Rony; Lopez

Cruzeiro possible starting lineup:
Cassio; William, Ivaldo, Marcelo, Kaiki; Silva, Romero, Henrique; Veron, Pereira, Gomes


SM words green background

We say: Palmeiras 2-0 Cruzeiro

Palmeiras may have failed to win any of their opening three home fixtures this term, but they are on a roll in front of their supporters, notching six consecutive victories and keeping clean sheets in 50% of that run.

That sequence should become seven against one of the division's underwhelming travellers.



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


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Game History

How you voted: Palmeiras vs Cruzeiro

Palmeiras
78.3%
Draw
21.7%
Cruzeiro
0.0%
23
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Tables header RHS
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Botafogo28176546252157
2PalmeirasPalmeiras28175646202656
3FortalezaFortaleza27157536261052
4FlamengoFlamengo26136742321045
5Sao Paulo2713593529644
6Bahia2712693831742
7Cruzeiro2712693427742
8InternacionalInternacional2611963223942
9Atletico Mineiro269983638-236
10Vasco da GamaVasco26105113036-635
11Gremio2795132934-532
12BragantinoBragantino2788113337-432
13JuventudeJuventude2788113137-632
14CriciumaCriciuma2788113441-732
15Athletico ParanaenseAthletico PR2587102729-231
16Vitoria2784152939-1028
17Corinthians27610112633-728
18Fluminense2676132129-827
19Cuiaba2658132338-1523
20Atletico GoianienseAtletico GO2746172145-2418


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