Against All Odds: No Venezuelan cruise for Cruzeiro

Will Cruzeiro score their first Libertadores goal of the season?

Brazilian champions, Cruzeiro, haven't fired in the Copa Libertadores yet this season and Paul Robinson expects them to struggle again at Mineros Guayana.

Mineros Guayana v Cruzeiro
Friday March 20. 01:15 GMT
Available on Betfair Live Video

After seven years away from this competitions, Venezuelan outfit, Mineros Guayana, are back in the Copa Libertadores. They aren't expected to make it through the group, and after picking up just a single point from their opening two fixtures, it's already doubtful that they will.

Marcos Mathas' side did manage to pick up an impressive draw at Huracan and while they were beaten on home soil next time out, it doesn't automatically mean that they will be swept aside by Cruzeiro. They are normally resilient in front of their own fans and travelling from country to country is never easy in this competition.

Cruzeiro warmed up for this clash with a 4-0 thrashing of Villa Nova in the Mineiro 1. They haven't been able to play with that fluency in the Libertadores yet though as one of the favourites for the tournament have drawn both matches 0-0.

Marcelo Oliveira's men clearly have the scope to do better - they have won the Brazilian title for the last two seasons - but it's worth noting that they lost two of their three away games in the group last year and then again at San Lorenzo in the knockout phase.

There's a gulf in class between these two sides but a match in Venezuela isn't the easiest. I wouldn't be overly surprised if Cruzeiro win, but they certainly aren't value from a betting perspective. That's why, with their price trading at around the 1.784/5 mark, I have to make them my lay of the day.

Recommended Bet
Lay Cruzeiro v Mineros Guayana @ 1.784/5

2015 P/L (1pt each bet)

Wagered: 75 pts
Returned: 64.12 pts
P/L: - 10.88 pts (after commission)
(2014 P/L: + 17.34 pts)
(2013 P/L: + 3.80 pts)
(2012 P/L: + 9.60 pts)