Racing Club vs Cruzeiro Prediction: Will the “Foxes” deceive the “Academy”?

We have reached the final of the Copa Sudamericana. We have been following this competition for years, unlike the Copa Libertadores in the last ten years, here teams from other countries besides the Argentine and Brazilian giants have had a chance to win the trophy. For example, the Ecuadorians got rewarded for their great work with talented players, so Independiente del Valle won twice and LDU Quito triumphed last season. At the beginning of the decade, the "Hawks" from Defense and Justicia, led by the legendary Crespo on the bench, won the trophy. But now we are returning to the giants' field, this weekend the final is in Paraguay at the stadium named after the former president of Cerro Porteño, General Rojas. Cruzeiro and Racing reached the final, two clubs that have three South American championship titles between them, but no trophy in the Copa Sudamericana.

Form: WWWWW

Racing reached the quarterfinals in the first edition of this competition, losing to their compatriots from San Lorenzo on penalties. They waited ten years, then Colon overtook them. They don't have a great record, although they haven't played often in the last ten years. Racing are in the top of the Argentine championship, they are in 3rd place. The "Blues" have relied on Colombian foreigners, the brain of the team, Quintero who is already a veteran, the Colombian was once considered a great hope for Porto, this player was sent around on loans, and played for River, but also in China, Italy, France... From the domestic players, Luciano Vietto once exploded in Villarreal, but in Atletico under Simeone, he did not get a real chance. Coach Gustavo Costas will expect much from Adrian Martinez, who is playing in great form after arriving from the Institute. This experienced player was already a domestic player at the stadium where the final will be played, he played for Cerro Porteno. In the semifinals, Racing Club knocked out another great Brazilian team, Corinthians, drawing in Brazil and winning in the second match in Argentina.

Form: LWLWL

Cruzeiro hit rock bottom a few seasons ago, the team from Minas Gerais was relegated from the league, but their old owner the famous Ronaldo, invested a lot of money, and also thanks to his management agency, brought in quality players, so they returned after two seasons. They didn't shine last season, but the Brazilian league is so strong that even 14th place leads to Copa Sudamericana. They haven't played in this competition for long, in the years before the collapse, the "Foxes" were regularly in the knockout stages of the Copa Libertadores. About 15 years ago and later in the first half of the last decade, they played in the finals of the Libertadores and several times in the quarterfinals. They were regulars before that in the Sudamericana, playing for the first time in 2004, but for example, in four consecutive years, they didn't go beyond the second round. Now they are much better, they are in 7th place in the league and will probably be part of Copa Libertadores next season through the league or if they win this trophy. Interestingly in the semifinals they were playing against another Argentinian team, Lanus, and after the draw in Brazil, Cruzeiro were better in Argentina.

The point is that this is an unknown ground for Racing and Cruzeiro, although they are strong and teams in great form this season. Since 2019, there has been one match, only last year did we see penalties being played immediately after the regular time, LDU Quito won the cup against Fortaleza. Racing are a slight favorite according to the odds, but I don’t agree with that assessment, I believe that Cruzeiro will not lose the match. A double chance on Cruzeiro and a few goals seem like a good betting pick, I think that there is a great chance that we will see penalties, as both teams will approach this match carefully without much risk.