Seeking a swift return to triumphant ways, Cruzeiro host Cuiaba at their Estadio Governador Magalhaes Pinto base in Thursday's Brasileiro battle. The hosts' victorious run came to a bitter end in a 2-0 loss to Sao Paulo last time out, while their upcoming foes came up trumps in a seven-goal spectacular with Criciuma over the weekend. © Reuters The month of May was indeed very merry for those of a Cruzeiro persuasion, as Fernando Seabra 's troops excelled on the continent in the Copa Sudamericana, topping their group with no losses from their six games to earn a direct route into the last 16.
Two Brasileiro contests with Vitoria (3-1) and Atletico Goianiense (1-0) also went Cruzeiro's way between April and May, and Seabra's charges were also riding high on a four-game streak of clean sheets before pitting their wits against Sao Paulo. However, the Foxes were subjected to a rude awakening against one of Brazil's most famed outfits, as either side of a first-half red card to left-back Marlon , ex-Tottenham Hotspur and Paris Saint-Germain forward Lucas Moura and Jonathan Calleri struck for Sao Paulo. On account of their first top-flight defeat since April 21, Cruzeiro are entrenched in mid-table in ninth position at this early stage - good enough for a Sudamericana berth - and Seabra's side would have enjoyed an extended 11-day break by the time Thursday's fixture commences.
In spite of their June 2 disappointment, the Foxes have an exceptional home record to fall back on this w.