Vitória vs Cruzeiro Prediction: The Lion meets the Fox

In the last match of Round 23, Vitória hosts Cruzeiro at the Barradão. The home team is fighting to avoid relegation, while Cruzeiro will be looking to qualify for the Copa Libertadores. This game has no clear favorites and should be balanced.

In the last round, the Barra's Lion lost 2-0 to Bahia in the Salvador derby. The home team scored in the 15th minute through Éverton Ribeiro, one of the most technically gifted players in the Brasileirão, with a shot that deflected off a defender and over goalkeeper Lucas Arcanjo. From then on, Bahia became more comfortable and kept control of the ball. Vitória never gave up looking for an equalizer and put pressure on its rival, but without success. Bahia scored 2-0 through Juba on a counterattack in the 97th minute to set up the final result. Thiago Carpini, Vitória's coach, received a red card and will miss the game against Cruzeiro. The team needs points to escape the danger zone, but the Fox is tricky. 

The Miners lost 1-0 in Buenos Aires to Boca Juniors in the first leg of the Copa Sudamericana Round of 16. The legendary Edinson Cavani scored the Argentinians' goal in the 65th minute, sending the Bombonera wild. The second leg is next week, so Fernando Seabra, Cruzeiro's coach, will probably change a few players against Vitória. The Fox is in seventh place with 37 points but has failed to win in its last two league matches. In Round 4, Cruzeiro beat Vitória 3-1 at home, and it would be important to win again in Salvador. That will only be possible if the Miners are focused and do not try to save their energy for the match with Boca Juniors.

Vitória is fighting to avoid relegation to the Série B, but at the Barradão, the team is hard to beat. Cruzeiro is superior to Vitória, although the Copa Sudamericana knock-out round with Boca Juniors could influence the team's performance in Salvador. The Fox played a few days ago in Buenos Aires and will face the Argentinians again next week in a vital game for the club. I'm therefore betting on a Double Chance in favor of Vitória with a maximum of four goals scored in the match.