Flamengo vs Cruzeiro Prediction: Big game at the Maracanã

Flamengo vs Cruzeiro: Prediction and odds on the Brasileirão match on October 03, 2025

The league leader, Flamengo, hosts second-placed Cruzeiro in the most anticipated match of the round. Flamengo has 54 points and a game in hand, while Cruzeiro has 50 points.

Flamengo: Form and statistics

In the previous round, Flamengo was the last title contender to take the field and secured a crucial away win against Corinthians. The Cariocas knew that Cruzeiro and Palmeiras had lost and did not waste the opportunity to increase their lead over their main opponents. However, the game against Corinthians was extremely difficult, and the winning goal came only in the final minutes of the match. The home team started very strongly, taking advantage of some sloppy play by the Flamengo players. In the 10th minute, Yuri Alberto hit the post, and the ball fell to Bidon, who was fouled inside the area by Leó Pereira. The referee awarded Corinthians a penalty, but Yuri Alberto missed the Panenka-style conversion, shooting too weakly into the hands of Rossi. The striker redeemed himself in the second half and broke the deadlock in the 47th minute, putting Corinthians ahead. The Timão deserved the lead, but Flamengo reacted quickly. In the 55th minute, Arrascaeta, one of the best players of the season, equalized the score. The Cariocas took control of the game, and the second goal was imminent on several occasions. In the 87th minute, Plata made a quick throw-in and caught the Corinthians defenders off guard, who were unable to prevent Luís Araujo from scoring. The Paulistas protested, arguing that the throw-in should have gone to Corinthians, and it did indeed appear that Plata was the last to touch the ball. The game ended shortly after with a hard-fought victory for Flamengo.

Flamengo: Lineup

Flamengo is practically at full strength for this crucial game.

🔖Flamengo starting lineup (4-3-3)

Rossi – Varela, Léo Ortiz, Léo Pereira, Alex Sandro – Saúl, Jorginho, Arrascaeta – Gonzalo Plata, Pedro, Samuel Lino

⛔️Out: Michael, Pulgar (injured)

👤Head Coach: Filipe Luís

Cruzeiro: Form and statistics

Cruzeiro lost 2-0 away to Vasco da Gama, ending a run of six consecutive wins, four of them in the league. Leonardo Jardim's team was uninspired, with several players performing below their usual standard. Five players were at risk of missing the game against Flamengo if they received a yellow card, and this may have contributed to the team adopting a less aggressive approach. Vasco started well and opened the scoring in the 8th minute through Rayan, who burst into the box to head home. The Cariocas were motivated by their recent results, and the early goal gave them even more confidence. Dinz's team pushed back its lines and closed down the spaces for Cruzeiro. The Miners tried to equalize, but their passing was slow and predictable. Even so, the Fox had a couple of chances to tie the game, but failed to convert. In the 61st minute, Matheus Henrique lost the ball in a dangerous area, and Vasco did not waste the opportunity, scoring the second goal with great efficiency. Cruzeiro was never able to respond with conviction and deserved to lose.

Cruzeiro: Lineup

Villalba and Gabigol are back after serving their suspensions. Sinisterra is doubtful for the match.

🔖Cruzeiro starting lineup (4-2-3-1)

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

⛔️Out: Fagner (injured)

👤Head Coach: Leonardo Jardim

Flamengo vs Cruzeiro: Head-to-head statistics

Flamengo and Cruzeiro have met 84 times, and the head-to-head record is slightly in favour of the Cariocas. Flamengo has won 33 games, while Cruzeiro has won 29. On 22 occasions, the matches ended in a draw. This season in Round 7, the Miners won 2-1 at home with a late goal from Gabriel Barbosa, a former Flamengo player.

Flamengo vs Cruzeiro: Betting tips & Odds

• The TU 2.5 bet has won 9 times in Cruzeiro's last 10 away matches. You can bet on a game with less than three goals (TU 2.5) for 1.78 at 1xBet;
• Cruzeiro has conceded first in three of its past four games. You can bet that Flamengo will be the first team to score for 1.50 at Bet365;
• Flamengo has won eight times in its last 10 meetings with Cruzeiro. You can bet on Flamengo winning for 1.62 at 1xBet

Flamengo vs Cruzeiro match prediction 03 October 2025

Flamengo and Cruzeiro are among the top teams in the Brasileirão, so this match promises to be exciting. Flamengo leads the table with 54 points and a game in hand, while Cruzeiro is second with 50. The Cariocas took a significant step closer to the title in the last round by beating Corinthians away, while Cruzeiro and Palmeiras lost. The pressure is on the Miners, as a loss would leave them seven points behind their opponents. Flamengo is the favorite because it plays at home and has more experience than Cruzeiro in these high-tension games. Nevertheless, I'm going to bet on a match with a maximum of two goals.

Our match prediction: TU 2.5 for 1.78 at 1xBet.

Our betting tip for this Brasileirão match: BTTS - No for 1.72 at Betway. 

Our final betting tip on the match: Correct Score 1-0 for 6.00 at Bet365.