League leaders and reigning champions Cruzeiro host Copa Libertadores-chasing Corinthians in Belo Horizonte on Wednesday night.
Cruzeiro won the 2013 edition of the Brazilian Serie A by a comfortable eleven points from Gremio, and they are now chasing back-to-back titles for the first time in their history.
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On Wednesday evening they face Sao Paulo-based Corinthians at the Estadio Mineirao, hoping to extend their nine point lead over second-placed Internacional and edge closer to a third title in eleven years. They are unbeaten in their last three matches, having not lost since being overturned by Atletico Mineiro – a game in which they conceded a 91st minute goal to lose 3-2.
They will be without the league’s third highest goal-scorer Ricardo Goulart who has a thigh problem as well as the suspended centre-back Dede who is serving a ban.
Corinthians lie sixth and are chasing a return to the Copa Libertadores – a competition they won for the first time in 2012. In Brazil the top three qualify automatically, while the fourth placed team enters the qualifying phase. They currently have 43 points, the same as fifth-placed Gremio and fourth-placed Atletico Mineiro.
They will be without both Elias and Gil who are on international duty – though they have no injuries or suspensions to worry about.
Kickoff in Belo Horizonte is at 9:00pm EDT / 6:00pm PDT.
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