Fluminense vs Cruzeiro Prediction: Fluminense wants to redeem defeat in the classic

After suffering a 4-2 defeat to rival Vasco da Gama, Fernando Diniz's side will want to make amends for a humiliating loss. Back at the Maracanã, Fluminense must beat Cruzeiro, the only way to get some forgiveness from their disillusioned fans. It's important to get over the defeat in the Clássico dos Gigantes to face the Copa Libertadores semi-finals in the best possible light. The first leg against Internacional is on September 28, after the Cruzeiro game.

The Tricolor is in sixth place, although only one point behind Grêmio, who is third. The defeat against Vasco prevented Fluminense from getting closer to Botafogo, so, just like the defeats of Flamengo and Grêmio in the last round, everything seems to indicate that only Palmeiras can catch up with Botafogo. At home, Flu is strong and hasn't lost yet. The problem is when it comes to away games, where the team seems to lose its personality. Curiously, Cruzeiro was one of the two teams Fluminense managed to beat away in the Brasileirão.

Cruzeiro clinched a fine 3-0 win against Santos at the Vila Belmiro. Zé Ricardo, the new coach, started off on the right foot and managed to stop the Belo Horizonte side's eight-game winless streak. The Fox is in 11th place with 29 points and has increased the gap to the Z4, the relegation zone, to eight points. Away from home, Cruzeiro has the fifth-best record with 16 points, which means that the team performs better on the road than at home, where it has managed 13 points. 

I'm betting on a home win, as Fluminense won't relax and will want to give their fans a win after the disappointment of the classic. Cruzeiro is boosted by its comfortable win over Santos, but Fluminense is very strong at the Maracanã and won't make it easy for the Mineiros. The Cariocas want to qualify directly for next season's Copa Libertadores, so they can't lose points to finish in the top four of the Série A.