Cruzeiro will be looking to record their first home win since June when they welcome Flamengo to the Estadio Governador Magalhaes Pinto in round 27 of the Brasileiro Serie A on Thursday.
After enjoying a stellar campaign in Serie B last season that saw them promoted to the top-flight as second-tier champions, the hosts have understandably endured baptism of fire, and are currently struggling in the bottom half of the table, just four points above the relegation zone.
Ze Ricardo’s side drew yet again, this time a goalless stalemate against Cuiaba on Sunday. Having won just one of their 12 games since July (D8, L4), they must start turning draws into wins sooner rather than later to avoid falling into a relegation scrap.
Flamengo, who will be kicking off a new era under ex-Brazil boss Tite this midweek, could also only earn a single point from a 1-1 draw with Corinthians in their last outing before the international break.
That came after a hard-fought 1-0 victory against Bahia on September 30, which ended their four-game winless streak. With 44 points from 26 games, the visitors are fifth in the league table, level with Palmeiras and Gremio.
Here GOAL brings you everything you need to know about how to watch, including TV channel, streaming details and more.
Cruzeiro vs Flamengo kick-off time & stadium
| Date: | Oct 19, 2023 |
| Kick-off time: | 6:00pm EDT |
| Venue: | Estadio Governador Magalhaes Pinto |
The Brasileiro game between Cruzeiro and Flamengo will take place on October 19, 2023, at Estadio Governador Magalhaes Pinto, also known as Estadio Mineirao, in Belo Horizonte, Brazil.
It will kick off at 6:00pm EDT in the United States (US).
How to watch Cruzeiro vs Flamengo online - TV channels & live streams
 | Paramount+ | Watch here |
 | Fanatiz | Watch here |
 | ViX+ | Watch here |
The game is available to watch and stream online live through Paramount+, Fanatiz and ViX, while fans who are unable to watch the game can follow the live updates on GOAL.
Team news & squads
Cruzeiro team news
Cruzeiro will once again have to do without the services of Fernando Henrique, who is serving the second of his three-match suspension after picking up a red card against America-MG.
Midfielder Lucas Silva is questionable after playing only 45 minutes in the recent goalless draw against Cuiaba, while right-back William was forced off in the first half of the same match with a suspected head injury. Should coach Zé Ricardo deem both players unfit, Mateus Vital and Helibelton Palacios should be on standby to deputise in midfield and right-back positions, respectively.
Cruzeiro possible XI: Cabral; Palacios, Neris, Castan, Marlon; Oliveira, Vital; Nikao, Machado, Gomes; Wesley
| Position | Players |
|---|---|
| Goalkeepers: | Cabral, Anderson, Mesquita |
| Defenders: | Palacios, Neris, Castan, Marlon, Kaiki, Marcelo |
| Midfielders: | Oliveira, Silva, Machado, Nikao, Luccas |
| Forwards: | Wesley, Arthur, Vitor, Pereira, Stenio |
Flamengo team news
Flamengo avoided any fresh injury in the draw against Corinthians last time out, so Gabriel Noga and Guillermo Varela, both nursing knee injuries, are the only two names on the visitors' injured list in what will be former Brazil head coach Tite's first match in charge of Flamengo.
Former Cruzeiro player Giorgian de Arrascaeta is on international duty with Uruguay, so he will not feature against his former club, while Gerson (Brazil), Igor Jesus (Chile), and Erick Pulgar (Brazil U-23) are all representing their respective nations.
Flamengo possible XI: Rossi; Wesley, Bruno, Pereira, Lucas; Maia, Hugo; Araujo, Ribeiro, Henrique; Pedro
| Position | Players |
|---|---|
| Goalkeepers: | Wallace, Rossi, Santos, Souza, Cunha, Kaua Santos |
| Defenders: | Alves, Furtado, Barone, Bruno, Pablo, Caio, Noga, D. Luiz, Diegao, Cleiton, Darlan, Lucas, Ramon, Luis, Paulo, Welinton, Inacio, Varela, Wesley, Sales |
| Midfielders: | Maia, Pulgar, Jesus, Weverson, Carlos, Gerson, Hugo, Evertton, Rodriguinho, De Arrascaeta, Franca, Ribeiro, Lorran, Everton, Henrique, Werton, Araujo, Marinho, Thiaguinho, Goncalves |
| Forwards: | Pedro, Mateusao, Petterson, Luka, A. Luiz |
Head-to-Head Record
| Date | Match | Competition |
|---|---|---|
| 27/5/23 | Flamengo 1-1 Cruzeiro | Brazil Serie A |
| 21/9/19 | Cruzeiro 1-2 Flamengo | Brazil Serie A |
| 28/4/19 | Flamengo 3-1 Cruzeiro | Brazil Serie A |
| 25/11/18 | Cruzeiro 0-2 Flamengo | Brazil Serie A |
| 21/8/18 | Flamengo 1-0 Cruzeiro | Copa Libertadores |