Altos vs Santa Cruz – Preview, Prediction and Betting Tips 07/01/2024

Altos enters the match with the notable historical advantage of never having been defeated by Santa Cruz in previous clashes.

In the pre-season, Altos found itself facing formidable challenges when facing Moto Club and Maranhão in friendlies. The results of these matches were not particularly favorable, with a 2-0 defeat and a 1-1 draw, respectively.

Another obstacle that Altos had to overcome was the difficulty of training at the Lindolfo Monteiro stadium, the stage for the clash against Santa Cruz. The team had limited access to this important field, with only two training sessions scheduled.

Both coach Flávio Araújo and midfielder Hudson recognized the importance of adapting to the pitch and field conditions. Even in the face of these adversities, the team remains focused on familiarizing themselves with the stadium, aiming to maximize their performance in the crucial game ahead.

Thus, coach Flávio Araújo, from Altos, explored different formations during pre-season games, especially in the defensive sector and midfield. This search for the best combination of players indicates a commitment to the tactics and strategy to be employed.

Santa Cruz, in turn, faces a challenge of magnitude at the opening of the 2024 season, when it will face Altos-PI in the pre-Copa do Nordeste.

This match takes on a singular importance, as Santa Cruz aims to break a historical taboo, which kept it on the margin of victory in official games against Altos. The forecast, based on past clashes, is not favorable to Santa Cruz.

In the three previous clashes between the teams, all of which took place in 2021, Altos emerged as the winner, recording an impressive 2-0 victory in the Copa do Nordeste and two 1-0 victories in Série C.

These last victories had significant consequences for Santa Cruz, culminating in their relegation that season. The next clash, therefore, offers Santa Cruz an opportunity to reverse this adverse narrative.

Thus, this pre-Northeast Cup game not only carries deep emotional meaning, but also entails substantial tactical challenges for both teams. In the event of a draw within regulation time, the match will be decided on penalties, adding an additional level of suspense and anticipation to this crucial encounter.

Santa Cruz’s recent results as a visitor present an irregular performance, with a 1-1 draw against Treze PB in club friendlies, a 1-0 defeat to Iguatu in the Brasileirão Série D and a 1-1 draw against Potiguar-RN in the same competition.

However, for Santa Cruz, center forward Matheus Matias, a key figure in the attack, is unavailable due to health problems, prematurely ending his time at the club. In this context, the young academy player, Gabriel Cardoso, received praise from coach Itamar Schülle for his performance and commitment on the field.

Conclusion:

Altos, despite some recent defeats in their own territory, demonstrated consistency by overcoming Santa Cruz in direct confrontations. Therefore, Altos positions itself as a strong competitor to advance in the pre-Cup of the Northeast.