Lanus vs Cruzeiro Prediction: A difficult challenge for Cruzeiro

The Brazilian team entered this match with a streak of five games without a win, while Lanus came to the Mineirao stadium with a streak of nine games without a victory. At the end of the first semi-final duel of the South American Cup, both streaks continued - Cruzeiro and Lanus played 1:1 (0:0). Now in the second match of the Copa Sudamericana semi-final Lanus are slight favorite, although both teams are still winless for a long period.

Form: LDLLD

Lanus are for the third time in the semifinals of this competition, and so far they have never been knockout from this stage. They are 11 matches without a win in a regular time, after they drew against Cruzeiro in Brazil, Lanus were defeated in the domestic league by Atl. Tucaman as visitors 1:0. For this match Lanus might miss several players, Abel Luciatti, Raul Loaiza, Nicolas Morgantini and Nery Domingues are some of the injured players, and it might be the main reason why Lanus are struggling to win. At home they are winless in the last 5 matches, but a win and advancing to the final will bring much more joy to the players and fans than any other win. 

Form: LDDLD

Cruzeiro are certainly very disappointed with the result of the first match. They opened the match great, with an early goal, but they failed to win. During the weekend they were heavily defeated in the domestic league by Athletico – PR as visitors 3:0. It was their 7th match without a win in all competitions. Cruzeiro are always struggling in Argentina, in both matches they played there in Copa Sudamericana, they failed to score a single goal. What’s even worst their new manager Fernando Diniz is still without an away win since he joined the club in September.

Both teams are struggling, but a win in this match and advancing to the final will be a turning point for either of them. Cruzeiro were better team in the first match, they had possession of the ball over 60%, but it wasn’t enough for a positive result. In this match Lanus are considered a slight favorite, and I expect much better performances from them and I can see them advancing to the final.