Cruzeiro vs Bahia Betting Preview
Cruzeiro will host Bahia at Estadio Governador Magalhaes Pinto in Belo Horizonte in game week 19 of the Brazilian Serie A. Cruzeiro are winless in their last four league games, while Bahia are undefeated since the World Cup break.
There have been under 2.5 goals scored in sixteen of Cruzeiro’s last eighteen games in the league.
Cruzeiro are winless in their last four league games.
Last weekend Cruzeiro visited Flamengo in Rio de Janeiro and suffered a 1-0 defeat. They decided to rest couple of their main player in order to have them ready for midweek Copa do Brasil fixture against Santos. They also lost this game 1-2 at home, but eventually went through to the semi-finals after penalty shoot out.
The loss against Flamengo didn’t change Cruzeiro’s position in eighth place and they are now winless in their last four league games, losing three and drawing one. Their last win in the championship was against relegation candidates Atletico Paranaense.
One of the best Cruzeiro’s player Giorgian de Arrascaeta will serve a one-game ban against Bahia, while Edilson may also be kept back due to a minor injury.
Bahia hosted America Mineiro last week and produced one of their best performances of this season. Final result was just 1-0, but Bahia looked very well. They were aggressive, fast and dangerous, and deservingly won.
With this win Bahia jumped into twelfth place and they are unbeaten since the World Cup break. The visitors are in good form, but they’re still winless away from home this season.
This Thursday they visited Palmeiras in the Copa do Brasil quarter-finals, and once again they lost on the road, this time 1-0.
Center-back Tiago is suspended for this match and he will probably be replaced by Douglas Grolli or Everson. Gilberto, Ze Rafael and Edgar Junio will all be assessed after knocks in midweek.
Odds and Predictions
As I said in the preview Cruzeiro are winless in last four, while Bahia were excellent against America Mineiro and they’re unbeaten since the World Cup Break. Cruzeiro are better team, and probably Mano Menezes will field a strong squad after recent league rotation. Still, I was very surprised by the odds offered against the home win.
Simply, in my opinion Cruzeiro can’t be such favorite in this match. Yes, it is hard to believe that Bahia can take three points home, but I’m sure they can upset Cruzeiro and draw. That’s why this time I’m picking draw.
Editor's Pick
Draw @3.95
