Cruzeiro vs Botafogo — Match Preview
The Mineirão hosts a high-stakes clash near the top of the Brasileirão table this Wednesday as 3rd-placed Cruzeiro take on 5th-placed Botafogo. With only a few rounds remaining in the 2025 season, both sides are fighting to secure direct qualification for the Copa Libertadores.
Cruzeiro, sitting on 69 points, have been a defensive fortress this season (conceding only 26 goals). They enter this match unbeaten in their last five, though they will be missing their star striker Gabriel Barbosa (Gabigol) due to suspension.
Botafogo, on 59 points, are in a precarious position. While their form has been decent (unbeaten in 5), they travel to Belo Horizonte in the midst of a full-blown squad crisis. With over 10 players unavailable due to injury or suspension—including key defenders and wingers—the Glorioso face an uphill battle against a Cruzeiro side that has beaten them in three consecutive meetings.
Cruzeiro vs Botafogo — Quick Match Info
- Fixture: Cruzeiro vs Botafogo
- Competition: Brasileirão Série A (Round 37)
- Venue: Mineirão, Belo Horizonte (Capacity: 61,927)
- Date: Wednesday, 03 December 2025 (Expected)
- Kickoff Time: 21:30 BRT / 00:30 GMT (Thursday) / 06:00 IST (Thursday)
- Referee: TBC
- TV Channel (Brazil): Globo, Premiere
- TV Channel (International): Fanatiz, 1190 Sports
- Live Stream: Fanatiz, Brasileirão Play
Cruzeiro vs Botafogo — Match Context (2025 Season)
Cruzeiro:
- Position: 3rd in Serie A (69 Points).
- Form: Solid. They are unbeaten in 5 games, coming off a 3-0 thrashing of Corinthians and a 1-1 draw with Ceará.
- Current Challenge: replacing the goals of Gabigol. Without their main talisman, the creative burden falls heavily on Matheus Pereira.
Botafogo:
- Position: 5th in Serie A (59 Points).
- Form: Resilient but stretched. A 2-2 draw with Corinthians showed their fighting spirit, but the squad is decimated.
- Current Challenge: Surviving the injury crisis. With starting center-backs Bastos and Alexander Barboza both out, their defense is makeshift at best.
Cruzeiro vs Botafogo — What’s at Stake
For Cruzeiro:
- Runner-up Spot: A win keeps them in the hunt for 2nd place and mathematically secures a G4 finish (Direct Libertadores Group Stage).
For Botafogo:
- G4 Aspirations: Trailing the top 4, Botafogo desperately needs points to avoid the Libertadores preliminary rounds. A loss here could see them stuck in 5th or 6th.
Cruzeiro vs Botafogo — Team Form
Cruzeiro (Last 5 Matches):
- D vs Ceará (1-1)
- W vs Corinthians (3-0)
- D vs Juventude (3-3)
- D vs Fluminense (0-0)
- W vs Grêmio (1-0)
Botafogo (Last 5 Matches):
- D vs Corinthians (2-2)
- W vs Grêmio (3-2)
- W vs Sport Recife (3-2)
- D vs Vitória (0-0)
- W vs Vasco da Gama (3-0)
Cruzeiro vs Botafogo — Team News
Cruzeiro:
- Gabriel Barbosa: Suspended (Yellow Cards – Massive loss).
- Lucas Silva: Suspended (Yellow Cards).
- Janderson: Out (Knee Injury).
- Marquinhos: Out (Knee Injury).
- Wanderson: Out (Thigh Injury).
- Replacement: Kaio Jorge or Rafa Silva is expected to lead the line in Gabigol’s absence.
Botafogo:
- Defensive Crisis: Alexander Barboza (Knee) and Bastos (Knee) are out. Youngster Lucas Halter or a makeshift CB will have to step in.
- Suspensions: Mateo Ponte and Santiago Rodríguez are suspended. Jeffinho is suspended (Red Card).
- Injuries: Danilo, Kaio, Matheus Martins, Nathan Fernandes, and Neto are all out.
- Doubtful: Key winger Jefferson Savarino is struggling with an injury. If he can’t play, Botafogo’s attack is severely blunted.
Cruzeiro vs Botafogo — Head to Head
- 04 Aug 2025: Botafogo 0–2 Cruzeiro
- 28 Jul 2024: Botafogo 0–3 Cruzeiro
- 15 Apr 2024: Cruzeiro 3–2 Botafogo
- 04 Dec 2023: Botafogo 0–0 Cruzeiro
- 07 Aug 2023: Cruzeiro 0–0 Botafogo
- Analysis: Cruzeiro has won the last 3 meetings comfortably, scoring 8 goals and conceding only 2.
Cruzeiro vs Botafogo — Predicted Lineups
Cruzeiro (4-2-3-1):
Without Gabigol, the attack relies on speed and the genius of Pereira.
- GK: Cássio
- RB: William
- CB: Zé Ivaldo
- CB: João Marcelo
- LB: Marlon
- CDM: Walace
- CDM: Matheus Henrique (Replacing Lucas Silva)
- RW: Gabriel Veron
- CAM: Matheus Pereira (C)
- LW: Arthur Gomes
- ST: Kaio Jorge
Botafogo (4-2-3-1):
A patchwork lineup for the visitors.
- GK: John
- RB: Vitinho
- CB: Lucas Halter
- CB: Philipe Sampaio (or improvisation)
- LB: Cuiabano
- CDM: Gregore
- CDM: Marlon Freitas
- RW: Luiz Henrique
- CAM: Thiago Almada
- LW: Júnior Santos (if fit, else Carlos Alberto)
- ST: Tiquinho Soares
Cruzeiro vs Botafogo — Impact Bench Options
Cruzeiro:
- Álvaro Barreal: Can provide width and quality crosses if Cruzeiro struggles to break down the makeshift defense.
- Lautaro Díaz: Explosive speed off the bench.
Botafogo:
- Igor Jesus: Has been a revelation in moments this season. If Tiquinho is isolated, Jesus offers more mobility.
- Óscar Romero: If fit (listed as questionable), he adds creativity late in the game.
Cruzeiro vs Botafogo — Tactical Outlook
Cruzeiro:
- Playing Style: Possession & Control. At the Mineirão, Cruzeiro dictates the tempo. Matheus Pereira will float between the lines, looking to exploit the lack of chemistry in Botafogo’s central defense.
- Strength: H2H Confidence. They know exactly how to beat Botafogo (high press, exploit space behind full-backs).
Botafogo:
- Playing Style: Survival Mode. With so many absences, Botafogo cannot play their usual expansive game. They will rely on Thiago Almada and Luiz Henrique to produce individual magic on the counter.
- Weakness: Defensive Chemistry. With both starting center-backs out, communication will be an issue. Cruzeiro’s movement will test them severely.
Cruzeiro vs Botafogo — Key Battles
| Matchup | Battle Type | Edge |
| Matheus Pereira vs. Gregore | The Creator vs. The Destroyer: Pereira is the best playmaker in the league. Gregore has to shadow him everywhere. | Cruzeiro |
| Luiz Henrique vs. Marlon | Elite Duel: Luiz Henrique is Botafogo’s main threat. Marlon is one of the best defensive left-backs. This duel decides Botafogo’s offensive output. | Tie |
| Kaio Jorge vs. Lucas Halter | Targeting the Weakness: Halter is prone to errors. Kaio Jorge needs to press him relentlessly. | Cruzeiro |
Cruzeiro vs Botafogo — Spotlight Players
Matheus Pereira (Cruzeiro):
With Gabigol suspended, this is Pereira’s team. His vision and set-piece delivery are world-class. Against a decimated Botafogo defense, he should be able to create multiple clear-cut chances.
Thiago Almada (Botafogo):
The World Cup winner is the beacon of hope for Botafogo. He needs to carry the ball, draw fouls, and link up with Tiquinho. If Almada plays well, Botafogo has a chance.
Cruzeiro vs Botafogo — Fan Reactions
Cruzeiro Fans:
“No Gabigol is tough, but have you seen Botafogo’s injury list? We have to win this.”
“Matheus Pereira masterclass loading. 3 more points towards the title race!”
Botafogo Fans:
“No Barboza, no Bastos, no Jeffinho… we are playing with the B team.”
“A draw at Mineirão would be a miracle. Just don’t get embarrassed.”
Cruzeiro vs Botafogo — Match-Defining Factors
- Botafogo’s Absences: It is impossible to ignore. Missing 10+ players, including the heart of the defense, is usually fatal away at a top-3 team.
- Cruzeiro’s Home Record: The Mineirão is a fortress. Cruzeiro rarely drops points here against teams outside the top 2.
- Refereeing: With high stakes and aggressive players (Gregore, Zé Ivaldo), cards could play a role.
Cruzeiro vs Botafogo — Prediction
Score Prediction: Cruzeiro 2–0 Botafogo
Betting Insights:
- Outcome: Cruzeiro to Win.
- Total Goals: Under 2.5 Goals (Cruzeiro have a great defense; Botafogo might park the bus).
- Clean Sheet: Cruzeiro (Botafogo lacks attacking depth with injuries).
Analysis: Cruzeiro are missing their main striker, but Botafogo are missing their entire spine. The defensive crisis for the visitors is too severe to ignore. Cruzeiro’s organized system under Fernando Diniz (or current coach) should pick apart the makeshift Botafogo backline for a comfortable victory.
Cruzeiro vs Botafogo — Final Word
Cruzeiro are firm favorites to extend their winning streak over Botafogo. While the visitors have heart, their injury list reads like a horror story. Expect the Raposa to control the game and secure a vital win that keeps them pushing for the highest possible finish, leaving Botafogo looking over their shoulders in the G6 race.
Cruzeiro vs Botafogo — FAQs
When is the Cruzeiro vs Botafogo match?
The match is expected to be played on Wednesday, 03 December 2025.
Is Gabigol playing?
No, Gabriel Barbosa is suspended due to yellow card accumulation.
Where can I watch the match in India?
Brasileirão matches are often streamed on Fanatiz or betting platforms like Bet365.
Call to Action — SportsphereArena Community
Will Cruzeiro’s dominance continue, or can a depleted Botafogo shock the Mineirão? Drop your predictions below!
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