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Match between the last and first placed teams in the league. Nautico welcomes leaders Cruzeiro with the hope of getting at least a draw against the Brazil giants, but they will remember losing 3-0 in the previous meeting this season.
Nautico was horrendous in the first 20-some rounds, barely getting a draw every couple of matches. Relegation seemed a sure thing, as the team also lacks quality for this level, but in the last few rounds the hosts game themselves a glimmer of hope. Nautico started to play some football and are undefeated in 4 rounds, with 2 wins in the process. They are still dead last with 17 points in 25 rounds but they closed the gap a little bit. Nautico will have to test its squad depth today because they have a couple of absents: Rogerio, Maranhao, Carioca and Martinez.
Probable lineup: Gideao – Amaro, Alves, Filipe – Collaco, Elicarlos, Derley, Morales, Dada – Leite, Oliveira
Cruzeiro has been brilliant throughout the season and they almost never hit a bad run. They lead the league by 8 points with a game in hand but they have to be careful as 2nd placed Gremio is playing superb at the moment and could close the gap if Cruzeiro fails to win a couple of games. The visitors have a fantastic run in the last 8 games – 7 wins and 1 draw. Cruzeiro has a couple of bad team news and can’t count on Luan, Julio Baptista, Dede, Egidio and Victorino, but the situation is manageable and they have sufficient depth to cover anyone.
Probable lineup: Fabio – Mayke, Leo, Rodrigo, Ceara – Silva, Nilton – Willian, Goulart, Ribeiro – Borges
Cruzeiro has beaten much better teams than Nautico on the road this season and I can’t see why they wouldn’t beat Nautico just because the hosts are on a decent run of form. Cruzeiro has the class advantage by far, their form is better and confidence is sky high. Nautico scores 0.64 goals per game so you can see them having problems scoring against the leaders, and that would mean an automatic loss against a team that rarely fails to score and has the best offense in the league by far. My prediction is Nautico – Cruzeiro 0-2.
Pick: Cruzeiro
Odds: 1.71 @ Pinnacle
Stake: 8
Possible profit: 5.68
Event date: 6 October
Editor Facts
- Ocean is 2 for 2 in the Brazil Serie A this season.
