Cruzeiro lead the Serie B table by three points over Bahia going into a midweek home fixture with Ponte Preta. The Foxes are aiming for a 10th win from 13 games this season when Ponte Preta arrive at the Mineirao Stadium.
Ponte Preta go into the game in 17th place. It has been a poor start to the campaign from Ponte Preta with just 12 points from 12 games. The White and Black are coming off of a 2-1 loss to Londrina last time out. Just one of Ponte Preta’ last six games ended in a win.
Last season, Cruzeiro did the league double over Ponte Preta with back-to-bac 1-0 wins in Serie B. Cruzeiro have a head-to-head record of 4W-0D-2L in the last six matches versus Ponte Preta. The Foxes outscored the White and Black 8-4 in the last six head-to-head meetings.
Cruzeiro are coming off of a 1-0 away defeat to Vasco da Gama. The loss ended a run of five straight wins. Fifteen points were taken from Cruzeiro’s last 18 matches in the league. The Foxes scored eight goals and conceded just twice.
Ponte Preta picked up four points from the last 18 points on offer in the division. They were outscored 8-5 in that time. Ponte Preta have not played well on the road, but did win their most recent away fixture.
The White and Black defeated Ituano 2-1 away last time on the road. However, prior to that win away, Ponte Preta had failed to win five consecutive road games in 2022.
Cruzeiro are unbeaten at home this season. All five home matches in 2022 have ended in wins for the Foxes.
Not only have Cruzeiro scored goals at home with seven in five games, but the Foxes have not conceded a goal. Each of Cruzeiro’s five home games this season ended as wins to nil.
Brazilian forward Edu leads Cruzeiro in scoring with four goals in 10 appearances. Cruzeiro are second in Serie B in goals scored with 14. They have allowed the second-fewest goals with five.
Ponte Preta have scored the joint-fewest goals in Serie B this season with eight. Lucca has tallied six of those eight goals for Ponte Preta. If Cruzeiro’s strong defence can continue to play well at home and nullify Lucca the ball, they should claim another home win.
Cruzeiro should post another win to nil. This time around, the Foxes should claim a 3-0 win against the White and Black.