Santos vs Cruzeiro Prediction: Santos needs Neymar

Santos vs Cruzeiro: Prediction and odds on the Brasileirão match on December 07, 2025

Santos hosts Cruzeiro in a decisive match for the home team. The Fish is practically safe from relegation, but a defeat to Cruzeiro, combined with victories of four direct opponents, could be fatal.

Santos: Form and statistics

Santos beat Juventude 3-0 away, with Neymar scoring a hat-trick. The Brazilian star shone in Santos' most important game of the campaign. Despite his poor form throughout the year, Neymar played a key role in several crucial games. Let's not forget that in July, Neymar scored the winning goal against Flamengo, the Brazilian Champion and Copa Libertadores winner. That result, as well as this victory over Juventude, was crucial in putting the Fish in a privileged position to escape relegation. The Cruzeiro coach has already warned that he will use an alternative team against Santos due to the Copa do Brasil semifinals. A draw should be enough for Santos to avoid relegation to the Série B. If Santos wins, it could even qualify for the Copa Sudamericana.

Santos: Lineup

Zé Rafael is suspended after receiving his third yellow card. Tiquinho Soares is doubtful for the match.

🔖Santos starting lineup (4-3-3)

Gabriel Brazão – Igor Vinicius, Zé Ivaldo, Adonís Frías, Souza – João Schmidt, Arão – Guilherme, Neymar, Barreal – Tiquinho Soares

⛔️Out: Escobar (injured), Zé Rafael (suspended)

👤Head Coach: Pablo Vojvoda

Cruzeiro: Form and statistics

The Fox drew 2-2 at home with Botafogo and lost the chance to finish second. Cruzeiro will finish third, an honorable and deserved position for one of the teams that played the most beautiful football in the league. If the Miners had a more extensive squad, they could have been champions; at least that feeling remained hanging in the air. There were some games during the season, especially at home, where the lack of one or two creative wingers to break down the opposition's defense was noticeable. Cruzeiro lost at home to Ceará and Santos, two defeats that will be hard to forget and which knocked the Belo Horizonte club out of the title race. The main goal for Leonardo Jardim's team is to win the Copa do Brasil. Corinthians is the opponent in the semifinals, and the games will be played next week.

Cruzeiro: Lineup

Leonardo Jardim will field an alternative team. Cruzeiro has already secured third place and will compete in the Copa do Brasil semi-finals next week.

🔖Cruzeiro starting lineup (4-3-3)

Léo Aragão – Kauã Moraes, João Marcelo, Jonathan Jesus, Kauã Prates – Wallace, Matheus Henrique, Eduardo – Bolasie, Sinisterra, Gabriel Barbosa

⛔️Out: Wanderson, Marquinhos (injured)

👤Head Coach: Leonardo Jardim

Santos vs Cruzeiro: Head-to-head statistics

Cruzeiro has the advantage in the 77 matches against Santos. The Fox won 31 games, while the Fish won 26. On 20 occasions, the games ended in a draw. This season, Santos won 2-1 at the Mineirão.

Santos vs Cruzeiro: Betting tips & Odds

• The TU 2.5 bet has won four times in Santos' last five home matches. You can bet on a game with no more than two goals scored (TU 2.5) for 1.87 at 1xBet;
• Santos has scored first in four of its last five matches. You can bet that Santos will be the first team to score for 1.40 at Bet365;
• Cruzeiro has lost only once in its last 20 matches. You can bet on Cruzeiro not losing (X2) for 2.71 at Betway.

Santos vs Cruzeiro match prediction 07 December 2025

Santos is not out of the woods yet, but it has a good chance of avoiding relegation. The 3-0 away win against Juventude left Santos fans feeling more relieved. Now, only an unlikely combination of results will cause Pelé's club to drop to the Série B. Even so, the Fish should not wait for its opponents' results and is better off focusing on the game against Cruzeiro. The Miners will field an alternative team due to the Copa do Brasil semi-finals, so Santos has an easier task in theory. As Santos' victory has low odds, I will bet on a game with a maximum of two goals scored.

Our match prediction: TU 2.5 for 1.87 at 1xBet.

Our betting tip for this Brasileirão match: BTTS - No for 1.63 at Betway.

Our final betting tip on the match: Correct Score 2-0 for 6.50 at Bet365.