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Libertad will host Cruzeiro at Estadio Dr. Nicolas Leoz on Thursday in the first leg of their 2024 Copa Sudamericana quarterfinal clash. The home side are enjoying a positive run of form at the moment and will be looking to carry that momentum onto the continental stage this week.
They traded tackles with Sportivo Ameliano last time out in the Copa Sudamericana, playing out a 1-1 draw in their first-leg clash with Matias Espinoza getting on the scoresheet just before the hour mark to cancel out La V azulada's opener. The two sides then played out a goalless draw in their second-leg clash before Gumarelo went on to win the tie on penalties.
Cruzeiro, meanwhile, locked horns with Boca Juniors in the previous round of the continental showpiece and suffered a narrow 1-0 defeat to the Argentine powerhouse in their first-leg clash at La Bombonera.
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They, however, bounced back from that in the return leg on home turf a week later, winning the game 2-1 and the tie on penalties to advance to the quarterfinals of a continental competition for the first time since 2018.
Libertad vs Cruzeiro Head-to-Head and Key Numbers
- Thursday's game will mark the first-ever meeting between Libertad and Cruzeiro.
- The hosts are without a win in their last five games against Brazilian opposition.
- The visitors have managed just one clean sheet in their last seven games across all competitions.
- Two of Libertad's three league defeats this season have come at the Estadio Dr. Nicolas Leoz.
- Only three of the Raposa's 12 league wins this season have come on the road.
Libertad vs Cruzeiro Prediction
Libertad are on a three-game winning streak and have lost just one of their last nine games across all competitions. They have won two of their last three home games and will be hopeful of a positive result here as well.
Cruzeiro, on the other hand, have won just one of their last four games and two of their last nine across all competitions. They are winless in their last three away matches and could see defeat this week.
Prediction: Libertad 1-0 Cruzeiro
Libertad vs Cruzeiro Betting Tips
Tip 1 - Result: Libertad to win
Tip 2 - Goals - Over/under 2.5 - Under 2.5 goals (Eight of the hosts' last nine matches have produced fewer than 2.5 goals)
Tip 3 - Both teams to score: NO (Both sides have found the back of the net in just one of the visitors' last four matches)
