Cruzeiro make the trip to Vasco da Gama on Sunday looking for the win that could catapult them into the top five of the Brazilian top-flight standings.
Meanwhile, the home side have endured a dismal start to the campaign and are under pressure to start delivering under their new head coach.
Match preview
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Having only finished down in 14th position during the 2023 campaign, Cruzeiro fans would not have necessarily had high hopes for a title charge this time around.
However, four wins have been recorded from their opening seven games, leaving them in seventh place and four points behind the leaders with a match in hand.
Although it is still early days in the season, the permanent appointment of Fernando Seabra appears to have had the desired effect at a club bidding to end an 11-year wait for another league title.
The recent 2-0 defeat at Sao Paulo was a blow, but the Foxes have won the other six of their last seven fixtures in all competitions, conceding just two goals in the process.
Last time out, Cruzeiro withstood the spirited challenge of lowly Cuiaba to post a 2-1 victory, regaining some momentum ahead of this contest.
Top-flight survival for Vasco da Gama was deemed to be a major success given their previous return from the second tier, but it appears they face a battle to remain in Serie A in 2024.
Six defeats have been posted in eight matches, with 19 goals conceded to give them the worst defensive record in the division.
While they remain as high as 14th, there is a vulnerability about this team, who have lost 6-1 and 2-0 to Flamengo and Palmeiras in their most recent two games.
Alvaro Pacheco has a major job on his hands to respond to that double-header - his first two games in charge - with Vasco da Gama having only defeated the teams who currently sit in 13th and 20th place.
Team News
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Pacheco may persist with the defensive-minded 5-4-1 formation that was adopted against Palmeiras given that it reduced the flow of goals at one end of the pitch.
Robert Rojas may miss out after his first-half withdrawal in that game, which may lead to Ze Gabriel dropping into the backline and Juan Sforza starting in midfield.
Veteran playmaker Dimitri Payet was not part of the last squad and it remains to be seen whether the 37-year-old will return here.
Although Cruzeiro will be without Jose Cifuentes, who is on international duty, the midfielder is unlikely to have started this contest.
Youngster Japa replaced Alvaro Barreal early in the second half versus Cuiaba and helped Cruzeiro get over the line, making it plausible that he could make his first start of the season here.
Vasco da Gama possible starting lineup:
Jardim; Rodriguez, Gabriel, Maicon, Leo, Piton; Rossi, Galdames, Sforza, David; Vegetti
Cruzeiro possible starting lineup:
Anderson; William, Ivaldo, Marcelo, Kaiki; L. Silva, Romero, Japa; Veron, Pereira; R. Silva
We say: Vasco da Gama 1-2 Cruzeiro
With each of Vasco da Gama's success coming on home territory this season, they cannot be ruled out of winning this contest. Nevertheless, Cruzeiro look one of the strongest challengers thus far and we are backing them to edge a competitive game.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
Darren Plant
