Cruzeiro tries to consolidate second place

Cruzeiro travels to Sao Paulo to face Corinthians on Saturday, trying to consolidate its position in the Brazilian Serie A soccer league. Two other games are also scheduled for Saturday, in the 21st round of the Serie A.

CORINTHIANS x CRUZEIRO
Unbeaten in three, Corinthians is breathing a lot easier now than two weeks ago. Out of the relegation zone, the team still believes it can finish in the top four to gain a spot in next year's Libertadores Cup. The team will have to play a lot better in the second half if it is to achieve this goal. This Saturday Corinthians will play Cruzeiro, currently in second place in the standings and winner of its last five games. For Cruzeiro, midfielder Wagner is suspended, while forward Nene may lose his place in attack to Marcelo Moreno. Corinthians will likely adopt a 3-4-3 formation, with an extra forward replacing defensive midfielder Rosinei. Defender Betao returns to the team after a failed transfer to France's Sochaux. He'll replace suspended defensive midfielder Bruno Octavio. In Belo Horizonte, Corinthians surprised Cruzeiro with a 3-0 away win in the second round.

FLUMINENSE x GREMIO
Fluminense has certainly seen better times. After a 3-0 win over Santos two weeks ago, the team has dropped two straight, losing to Flamengo and Cruzeiro to fall to 13th in the standings with 26 points. Fluminense returns to Maracana this Saturday to host Gremio, which is coming off a 2-0 home win over Parana that lifted the team to 31 points, good for 6th place in the standings. Fernando Henrique and Fabinho return from injury for Fluminense. Romeu is suspended, and defender Thiago returns after being called for the National team's friendly against Algeria on Wednesday. Gremio will be without suspended midfielders Tcheco and Diego Souza and forward Carlos Eduardo. In the second round, Gremio beat Fluminense 2-0 at the Olimpico Stadium in Porto Alegre.

INTERNACIONAL x ATLETICO PARANAENSE
Inter had a good 1-1 away draw with Botafogo last week, stretching its unbeaten streak to three games, with one win at home and two draws on the road. Going back to the Beira-Rio Stadium, the team hopes it can beat Atletico Paranaense, which won only one of its last eight games. Ney Franco makes his debut for Atletico, which will also miss defensive midfielder Valencia, injured. The new coach opted to shift midfielder Ferreira to the attack, where he'll play alongside Marcelo. Inter will be without injured right-back Ceara and midfielder Guinazu, also sidelined with an injury. Midfielder Pinga is suspended. In the second round, Atletico beat Inter 2-1 in Curitiba.

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Update: Cruzeiro paid back the second round 3-0 loss at home with a 3-0 away win that cost Corinthians coach Paulo Cesar Carpegiani his job. Gremio and Fluminense tied 1-1 and Inter won thanks to a last minute goal, beating Atletico Paranaense 1-0.