Cruzeiro vs Botafogo Prediction: Crucial game for Botafogo

Cruzeiro vs Botafogo: Prediction and odds on the Brasileirão match on December 05, 2025

Cruzeiro and Botafogo will be meeting in a match between two of the best teams in the league. Cruzeiro has already secured its place in the Copa Libertadores, while Botafogo is still fighting for direct entry into the group stage.

Cruzeiro: Form and statistics

Cruzeiro drew 1-1 away to Ceará and lost any chance of becoming champions. The chances of the Miners winning the title were remote, but now it is impossible. Cruzeiro has 69 points, six less than Flamengo, but can no longer reach the 22 victories that the Cariocas achieved. The number of wins is the main tiebreaker in the Brasileirão. Still, the Fox has a chance to win a title this season. Cruzeiro is in the Copa do Brasil semifinals, where it will face Corinthians. Flamengo and Palmeiras have already been eliminated, so it is no exaggeration to assume that Cruzeiro is the favorite to win the cup. The Belo Horizonte side can still finish second, so only a win against Botafogo will do. Palmeiras is in second place with 70 points, just one more than Cruzeiro.

Cruzeiro: Lineup

Kaio Jorge had a minor injury that prevented him from playing against Ceará, but the league's top scorer has now recovered. Gabriel Barbosa is suspended after receiving his third yellow card.

🔖Cruzeiro starting lineup (4-3-3)

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

⛔️Out: Wanderson, Marquinhos (injured), Gabriel Barbosa (suspended)

👤Head Coach: Leonardo Jardim

Botafogo: Form and statistics

The Lone Star team drew 2-2 away to Corinthians in an exciting match. The home team opened the scoring in the 7th minute through Raniele, taking advantage of a poor pass by Botafogo goalkeeper Léo Linck. Botafogo improved significantly in the second half and equalized in the 60th minute through Cuiabano, who appeared unmarked behind the defense and finished with his left foot. Six minutes later, the Cariocas completed the comeback with a beautiful bicycle kick from Jordan Barrera. However, Davide Ancelotti's team failed to secure the lead, as Corinthians equalized in the 82nd minute through center back Gustavo Henrique. Botafogo finished the round in fifth place with 59 points, but in the meantime, dropped to sixth because Fluminense already played in this round and won. The top five qualify directly for the group stage of the Copa Libertadores, but as Mirassol has already secured fourth place, Fluminense, Botafogo, and Bahia will have to fight for the last direct spot in the legendary South American competition. At the moment, things are not easy for Botafogo, as Fluminense has 61 points.

Botafogo: Lineup

Botafogo has many injured players at the moment. Jeffinho, Mateo Ponte, and Santi Rodríguez are suspended.

🔖Botafogo starting lineup (4-2-3-1)

Raul – Mateo Ponte, David Ricardo, Marçal, Alex Telles – Marlon Freitas, Newton – Artur, Jordan Barrera, Montoro – Kadir

⛔️Out: Léo Linck, Savarino, Barboza, Correa, Danilo, Kaio, Neto, Matheus Martins, Bastos (injured), Jeffinho, Mateo Ponte, Santi Rodríguez (suspended)

👤Head Coach: Davide Ancelotti

Cruzeiro vs Botafogo: Head-to-head statistics

Cruzeiro and Botafogo have met 80 times, and the head-to-head record favors the Miners. Cruzeiro won 33 games, while Botafogo won 19. On 28 occasions, the matches ended in a draw. Botafogo's last away win was in 2016.

Cruzeiro vs Botafogo: Betting tips & Odds

• The BTTS-YES bet has won three times in Botafogo's last four matches. You can bet on both teams to score (BTTS-YES) for 1.80 at Betway;
• The TU 2.5 bet has won eight times in Botafogo's last nine away games. You can bet on a game with no more than two goals (TU 2.5) for 1.77 at 1xBet;
• Botafogo hasn't lost in eight matches. You can bet that Botafogo will not lose (X2) for 1.72 at Betway.

Cruzeiro vs Botafogo match prediction 05 December 2025

Cruzeiro can no longer win the title, but may still finish second, and that would be fantastic. Botafogo is fighting for fifth place, which gives direct access to the Copa Libertadores, but needs to get a good result, as it is currently in sixth place, two points behind Fluminense. The Cariocas have several injured and suspended players, so their task is complicated. I'm going to bet on a Cruzeiro victory.

Our match prediction: Cruzeiro to win for 2.15 at Betway.

Our betting tip for this Brasileirão match: TU 2.5 for 1.77 at 1xBet.

Our final betting tip on the match: Correct Score 1-0 for 7.00 at Bet365.