Cruzeiro +0 -117 (@Avai) 3 units
Did a write up for Cruzeiro last week already when they played @Goias and won. Last 11 they are now 6-4-1 and since Mano Menezes took over the team, they are rolling. 5th time last 6 they kept a clean sheet and are almost at full strength: They get back their captain and centre back Manoel, who should further improve their defense. Only players missing are defensive midfielder Willians and winger Allano. Willians is a key piece for their team, but they have the depth to compensate for him.
Avai one of the worst teams in Serie A, for once no players suspended, but the roster still lacks talent. Last week they finally they managed to not concede a goal, but Chapecoense was missing their playmaker, the game was sandwiched in between the Copa Sudamericana matches vs River Plate and Chapecoenses return trip from Argentina was completely messed up due to bad weather, sending their return flight on Thursday back to Florianopolis instead of Chapeco, forcing them to take a bus from Floripa on Friday, therefore cancelling their practice session and heavy rainfalls messed up the pitch. So that scoreless tie more due to circumstances than Avai playing well.
Avai still by far the worst defense, regularly making horrific individual mistakes and with problems creating scoring opportunities. Pretty much worst matchup possible here for them vs a team like Cruzeiro. Only reason why I'm just betting 3 units instead of 4 or 4.5 is the weather: Down here in Florianopolis it has been raining almost nonstop for 2 weeks and the pitch will once again be in terrible shape, which will hurt Cruzeiro (technically superior team) far more than the home side. At least today was sunny for most part and tomorrow should be rather decent ok, so that might help a bit and their should be no puddles on the pitch. Either way, Avai will have trouble scoring while their defense always is good for 1-2 mistakes gifting scoring opportunities to their opponent
Did a write up for Cruzeiro last week already when they played @Goias and won. Last 11 they are now 6-4-1 and since Mano Menezes took over the team, they are rolling. 5th time last 6 they kept a clean sheet and are almost at full strength: They get back their captain and centre back Manoel, who should further improve their defense. Only players missing are defensive midfielder Willians and winger Allano. Willians is a key piece for their team, but they have the depth to compensate for him.
Avai one of the worst teams in Serie A, for once no players suspended, but the roster still lacks talent. Last week they finally they managed to not concede a goal, but Chapecoense was missing their playmaker, the game was sandwiched in between the Copa Sudamericana matches vs River Plate and Chapecoenses return trip from Argentina was completely messed up due to bad weather, sending their return flight on Thursday back to Florianopolis instead of Chapeco, forcing them to take a bus from Floripa on Friday, therefore cancelling their practice session and heavy rainfalls messed up the pitch. So that scoreless tie more due to circumstances than Avai playing well.
Avai still by far the worst defense, regularly making horrific individual mistakes and with problems creating scoring opportunities. Pretty much worst matchup possible here for them vs a team like Cruzeiro. Only reason why I'm just betting 3 units instead of 4 or 4.5 is the weather: Down here in Florianopolis it has been raining almost nonstop for 2 weeks and the pitch will once again be in terrible shape, which will hurt Cruzeiro (technically superior team) far more than the home side. At least today was sunny for most part and tomorrow should be rather decent ok, so that might help a bit and their should be no puddles on the pitch. Either way, Avai will have trouble scoring while their defense always is good for 1-2 mistakes gifting scoring opportunities to their opponent
