Botafogo vs Cruzeiro Prediction: Botafogo hasn't beaten Cruzeiro in 13 games

Botafogo vs Cruzeiro: Prediction and odds on the Brasileirão match on August 03, 2025

Botafogo and Cruzeiro will meet in Rio de Janeiro for the big match of Round 18. Both teams have good players, but they had negative results in the last round.

Botafogo: Form and statistics

Botafogo dropped two points at home with Corinthians and slipped further behind the new leader, Flamengo. Davide Ancelotti's side drew 1-1 with the Paulistas and is now ten points behind the top spot, although it could be seven because Botafogo has played 15 games and Flamengo 16. It was the second consecutive home draw, which is not a good sign. Botafogo opened the score through Arthur Cabral in the 24th minute, but in the second half, Corinthians was the better team on the pitch and equalized through Memphis Depay in the 83rd minute. In midweek, the Glorious played much better and defeated Bragantino 2-0 at the Nilton Santos in the first leg of the Copa do Brasil Round of 16. Wonder kid Álvaro Montoro and Alexander Barboza scored the goals. The next opponent is Cruzeiro, currently second in the standings. This game could reveal whether the champion has what it takes to fight for the title.

Botafogo: Lineup

Bastos and Jefinho have been injured for some time, so Ancelotti will probably use his usual lineup.

🔖Botafogo starting lineup (4-2-3-1)

John – Vitinho, Kaio Fernando, Alexander Barboza, Alex Telles – Newton, Marlon Freitas – Artur, Savarino, Montoro – Arthur Cabral

⛔️Out: Jeffinho, Bastos (injured)

👤Head Coach: Davide Ancelotti

Cruzeiro: Form and statistics

Cruzeiro suffered a shocking defeat at home to Ceará and lost first place. After losing at home against Mirasso, the Cearenses defeated the leader on the road. This is the Brasileirão at its best. Cruzeiro had not lost in 16 games, 11 of them in the league. The Fox opened the score in the 4th minute through Kaio Jorge, the top scorer in the Série A, but Galeano scored two goals, in the 39th and 61st minutes, silencing the Mineirão. It was the first home defeat for Miners, who now face a difficult away game against Botafogo. Flamengo and Palmeiras did not miss the opportunity to take advantage of Cruzeiro's defeat. The Belo Horizonte team could eventually drop to third place, as the Verdão has two games in hand. In midweek, Cruzeiro disappointed again, drawing 0-0 at home with CRB from the Brazilian Série B in the Copa do Brasil. The Cabuloso players showed some nervousness in front of goal against the Maceió team, which displayed good defensive organization. Leonardo Jardim's men must win away in the second leg to qualify for the quarterfinals of the competition.

Cruzeiro: Lineup

Fagner picked up an injury in the cup game. William should take his place.

🔖Cruzeiro starting lineup (4-2-3-1)

Cássio – William, Fabrício Bruno, Villalba, Kaiki – Lucas Silva, Romero – Christian, Matheus Pereira, Wanderson – Kaio Jorge

⛔️Out: Fagner, João Marcelo (injured)

👤Head Coach: Leonardo Jardim

Botafogo vs Cruzeiro: Head-to-head statistics

Cruzeiro holds a clear advantage in its 79 meetings with Botafogo. The Miners have won 32 games while the Cariocas have won 19. On 28 occasions, the contests have ended in a draw. It is worth noting that Cruzeiro has not lost to Botafogo in 13 games.

Botafogo vs Cruzeiro: Betting tips & Odds

• Cruzeiro hasn’t lost in its last 13 matches against Botafogo. You can bet that the Miners won’t lose for 1.70 at Betway;
• The TU 2.5 bet has won eight times in Botafogo's last eight games. You can bet on a match with less than three goals (TU 2.5) for 1.55 at 1xBet;
• Botafogo has scored first in four of its last five games. You can bet that Botafogo will be the first team to score for 1.80 at Bet365.

Botafogo vs Cruzeiro match prediction 03 August 2025

Botafogo and Cruzeiro will play the big game of the round, in which there are no favorites. The Cariocas have home advantage and therefore perhaps a better chance of winning, but Cruzeiro is in second place and has not lost against Botafogo since 2016. Leonardo Jardim's team suffered a shocking defeat at home to Ceará, so we will see if the bad result has affected the players' confidence. Anything can happen in this match, so any bet is risky. I'm going to bet on a Double Chance in favor of Cruzeiro.

Our match prediction: X2 for 1.70 at Betway.

Our betting tip for this Brasileirão match: BTTS - Yes for 2.07 at 1xBet.

Our final tip for this match: Correct Score 1-1 for 6.50 at Bet365.

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