Cruzeiro looking to clinch Brazilian league title

Not much was expected of Cruzeiro this year. It hadn't made any impact on the Brazilian league since 2010 and was ninth last year.

Coach Marcelo Oliveira was relatively unknown, and the most notable player was a defender, Dede, who has played for Brazil for two years.

But at the halfway point in the league, Cruzeiro took the lead, then built a comfortable advantage and has been cruising ever since.

On Sunday, the team from Belo Horizonte can cap the most dominating performance in the league since it went to its current format in 2003, with every team playing each other twice. That was the year Cruzeiro achieved the first domestic treble, which included its second and last national title. But that was won with two rounds left.

If the trophy comes on Sunday with five rounds left, Cruzeiro will beat the 2007 mark set by Sao Paulo, which clinched the title with four rounds to play.

Leading the standings by 13 points, Cruzeiro needs to beat third-place Gremio in front of its fans and hope second-place Atletico Paranaense draws or loses to Sao Paulo at home.

Mineirao Stadium sold out its 60,000 seats quickly, and this week several people were arrested trying to sell fake tickets.

Cruzeiro fans are hopeful the title comes this weekend because the team won't play at home again for the next three rounds because of a suspension over fan violence.

"It will be different to win the title in front of our fans, it will feel much better," Dede said. "We know how the fans have supported us throughout the year and I'm sure they will do the same again in the match against Gremio on Sunday."

Cruzeiro can become the first team since 1971 to win the title by beating every team at least once, and it needs to beat Gremio for that to happen. Cruzeiro has won 21 of its 32 matches, including 11 of 12 in a recent streak.

Its league-leading attack has outscored opponents 66-29, with 17 more goals than the next best team.

The team's first title was in 1966, and a third this weekend would finally give Cruzeiro fans something to boast against fans of Atletico Mineiro, the city rival which celebrated the Copa Libertadores title just a few months ago. Atletico lie sixth in the league, 20 points behind Cruzeiro.

"We couldn't be more thrilled with the chance to finally reach our goal this weekend," defensive midfielder Lucas Silva said. "We are prepared to make it happen but we know it's not a done deal yet. We have to do our part against Gremio, just like we've been doing the entire season."

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