Best Odds: 19/20
Bookmaker:
Two sides who are seeking a much-welcomed boost on Saturday night, Vasco will welcome Cruzeiro to the Maracana this weekend.
Vasco
Starting with the hosts, while Vasco might have signed off June with a crucial 1-0 victory against Cuiaba, caretaker boss Willian Batista saw his temporary squad come crashing back down to earth last week. Eventually getting hit with a routine 2-0 defeat at the hands of Botafogo, the Rio de Janeiro-based outfit find themselves tipped as a leading contender to be hit with an immediate second-tier return in 2023. Showing a string of issues on either side of June’s international break, the Admirals have now lost seven of their previous eight showdowns against Serie A opposition a run that stems all the way back to a 1-1 draw against Cortibia on May 11th, Likewise, marking their return from the fortnight interval with a toothless 1-0 defeat at home against Goias, Vasco have also shown some continued struggles in the final third. It should be highlighted, Vasco have notched just a single strike in over 300 minutes of action.
Team News
Both still dealing with extended injury issues, Vasco will once again be without the duo of Cauan Barros and Gabriel Dias on Saturday night. Likewise, picking up a first-half knock away at Botafogo last time out, the Admirals will also be unable to call upon one-time Nice defender Robson Bambu.
However, in what could be a timely boost for Vasco, Gabriel Pec should make a full return here after the 22-year-old served a one-match suspension last weekend.
Cruzeiro
As for the visitors, although Cruzeiro might have also claimed a welcomed boost when signing off June, the Foxes find themselves in an almost identical position to Saturday’s opponents. Despite being last seen clinging to a gritty 0-0 stalemate away at Internacional, Pepa’s side have managed to muster just a single win from any of their last nine straight appearances across all competitions a run that stems all the way back to May 14th. Nevertheless, only making their Serie A return this season, it is no secret that Cruzeiro have their sights firmly set on pinching a stunning Copa Sudamericana ticket in 2023. While Pepa’s men might be looking to make a top-12 statement this weekend, the former Tondela boss has seen his squad show their own respective struggles in the final third. It is worth noting, Saturday’s guests have notched just one goal in three last three domestic showdowns.
Team News
Dealing with what has become a mounting injury list, Cruzeiro will once again be unable to call upon the likes of Rafael Bilu, Ramiro, Wallisson and Wesley Gasolina. However, Pepa is hopeful that 21-year-old Daniel Junior will be able to make a return to his matchday squad on Saturday night.
Likewise, shown a pair of bookings away at Internacional last weekend, 27-year-old Lucas Oliveira will serve a one-match suspension here.
Key Factors to Consider
