Athletico Paranaense vs Cruzeiro Prediction: Troubled defences should lead to goals

After both teams experienced chaotic endings to their respective league fixtures at the weekend, Athletico Paranaense and Cruzeiro clash at the Arena da Baixada on Wednesday evening (Kick-off 22:30).

Read on for my Athletico Paranaense vs Cruzeiro predictions, accompanied by the latest match odds and team news.

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An injury-time winner from Fluminense’s Guilherme Arana denied Athletico a point in Rio de Janeiro, while Cruzeiro left it late to salvage a draw against Vasco da Gama.

El Paranaense started the new Série A campaign with narrow victories over Internacional and Santos, but have only accrued one point from their subsequent three fixtures.

After finishing third in the Brazilian top-flight last year, Cruzeiro have struggled during the season’s opening exchanges.

Despite playing one more fixture than Wednesday’s opponents, La Bestia Negra have earned just three points so far and currently find themselves marooned in the relegation zone. As a consequence of this poor run of form, first-team coach Tite was relieved of his duties earlier this week.

Team News

Athletico Paranaense boss Odair Hellmann must manage without the services of Bruno Zapelli (suspension) and Carlos Terán (ankle), although they are the only two players unavailable.

Conversely, managerless Cruzeiro have a raft of first-team stars unavailable. Goalkeeper Cássio Ramos (knee), forwards Kaio Jorge (foot), Luis Sinisterra and Bruno Rodrigues (both thigh), midfielder Lucas Romero (rib) and former Arsenal winger Marquinhos (ACL) have all been ruled out, and having already accrued five yellow cards this season, playmaker Matheus Pereira now serves a one-match suspension.

Athletico Paranaense vs Cruzeiro Odds

Having already won a couple of games as well as having the benefit of home advantage, it is little surprise Athletico Paranaense are marginal favourites in what is looking a close match to call. The hosts are 11/8 to register their third win of the campaign, while the away side are 15/8 to register their first. Cruzeiro have drawn half of their opening six games and another is on offer at 9/4.

Draw and Both Teams to Score @ 10/3

Although Athletico Paranaense are safely nestled in mid-table, concerns will be starting to grow following a sequence of three matches without a win. Having failed to score more than two goals in any of their opening five league outings, the Rubro-Negro need to possess a more clinical edge in the final third.

Cruzeiro are not exactly banging them in either but they have struggled on the defensive side particularly, and may not be able to keep the hosts out. However, Athletico have not kept a clean sheet in any of their last seven games and it is easy to see both sides finding the back of the net.

This fixture last season ended in a 3-0 home win but there were extenuating circumstances as Cruzeiro had a man sent off in the opening minute. The two previous meetings at the Arena de Baixada ended in draws, and the visitors can secure another share of the spoils.

Julimar to score at any time @ 23/10

Former Brazilian Under-20 international Julimar is looking a menace in the early part of the season and looks great value to get on the scoresheet.

The versatile attacker has already netted twice in the league this term, converting an early penalty against Santos before firing home a crucial equaliser in last month’s draw with Red Bull Bragantino. Julimar also grabbed Paranaense’s fourth goal in the first leg of their Campeonato Paranaense quarter-final meeting with Foz do Iguaçu, and he can trouble the scoreboard once again.

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