Preview: Cruzeiro vs. Atletico Mineiro - prediction, team news, lineups

The home side are currently sixth in the Brasileiro table, picking up 13 points from eight matches, while Atletico Mineiro occupy fourth position, boasting 14 points from their opening eight games.

Match preview

Cruzeiro finished second in Brazil's second tier last season to secure a return to the top level, and they have actually won the Brasileiro on four previous occasions, including as recently as 2014.

Pepa's side have won four, drawn one and lost three of their eight league matches this season to sit sixth in the table on 13 points, only three points behind second-placed Palmeiras heading into the next set of fixtures.

Cruzeiro have not been victorious in the league since the middle of May, which was actually a 4-0 success away to Atletico Mineiro, losing to Cuiaba and drawing with Flamengo since then.

Raposa also suffered disappointment in the last-16 stage of the Copa do Brasil on Wednesday, losing 1-0 to Gremio in the second leg of their contest to exit the competition 2-1 on aggregate.

Cruzeiro now have a clear run of matches in the Brasileiro, and head coach Pepa will be looking for a run of consistency which could leave them in a strong position in the table.

Atletico Mineiro, meanwhile, will enter this match off the back of a penalty-shootout defeat to Corinthians in their last-16 contest in the Copa do Brasil.

The two sides were level at 2-2 at the end of the two legs, which led to a penalty shootout, which Corinthians won 3-1 to advance to the next round of the competition.

Atletico Mineiro were last in league action against Palmeiras on May 28, playing out a 1-1 draw, and a total of 14 points from eight matches has left them fourth in the table, two points behind second-placed Palmeiras and seven behind leaders Botafogo.

Galo have only won the Brasileiro on two occasions, including in 2021, when they picked up 84 points from 38 matches during a brilliant campaign.

Eduardo Coudet's side will be aware of the importance of returning to winning ways on Saturday, as they attempt to stay in touch at the top of the division, and they have the second-best away record in the Brasileiro at this early stage of the season.

Cruzeiro Brasileiro form:

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Cruzeiro form (all competitions):

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Atletico Mineiro Brasileiro form:

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Atletico Mineiro form (all competitions):

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Team News

Cruzeiro will be without the services of four players through injury, with Ramiro, Rafael Bilu, Wesley Gasoline and Fernando Henrique all on the sidelines.

Gilberto has three league goals to his name in eight appearances this season and will again lead the line, while Bruno Rodrigues should also continue in the final third of the field.

It would not be a surprise to see the same XI from the league game against Flamengo on May 27, although Mateus Vital and William are both pushing for spots in the side.

Atletico Mineiro, meanwhile, will again have 36-year-old Hulk in their starting side, with the forward scoring four times in eight league matches this season.

Hulk will again be partnered in the final third by Paulinho, but the visitors will be without the services of four players through injury, with Pedrinho, Allan, Alan Kardec and Igor Rabello all out.

Coudet's side will also be unable to call upon either Cristian Pavon or Matias Zaracho through suspension, which should open the door for Patrick and Igor Gomes to start.

Cruzeiro possible starting lineup:

Cabral; Formiga, Oliveira, Catan, Marlon; Wallisson, Machado, Moura; Wesley, Gilberto, Bruno Rodrigues

Atletico Mineiro possible starting lineup:

Everson; Mariano, Silva, Jemerson, Rubens; Patrick, Battaglia, Gomes, Hyoran; Paulinho, Hulk

We say: Cruzeiro 1-2 Atletico Mineiro

This has all of the makings of an interesting game, and both sides will certainly believe that they can cause damage to the other due to their quality in the forward positions. We are expecting a close match on Saturday but believe that Atletico Mineiro will ultimately claim all three points.

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