Serie A
Cruzeiro - Botafogo
07/26/2026, 07:00 PM
Expected Goals
1.4
2.3
0.9
1:1
14%1:0
12%0:0
12%2:0
10%2:1
9%What influences the xG?
Cruzeiro
Botafogo
The Lab
- 1Botafogo: first goal in 5 of 7 games (71%)
- 2Botafogo with Edenilson: 1.7 goals/game. Without: 0.5 goals/game (6 of 8 games)
- 3Botafogo: 5 of 8 games without conceding in H1, but only 1 over 90 minutes
- 4Cruzeiro: scored only after the break in 3 of 8 games
- 5Botafogo: scored only after the break in 3 of 8 games
Model Probabilities
Match Result
Home Win
47%
Draw
30%
Away Win
22%
Goals
Over 1.5
69%
Under 1.5
31%
Over 2.5
41%
Under 2.5
59%
Over 3.5
20%
Under 3.5
80%
Double Chance
Home or Draw
78%
Away or Draw
53%
No Draw
70%
Both Score
Yes
46%
No
54%
Key Factors
- Heavily weakened lineup: Cruzeiro is missing major impact with only 56% of their regular starting quality as key player Matheus Pereira is out with 4 goals and 2 assists
- Tactical dominance: Cruzeiro recently controlled matches with an average of 57% possession and 5.0 shots on target
- Botafogo's away attacking threat: The visitors have been highly effective away from home averaging 1.78 goals per game
Risk Factors
- Tight recovery window: Both teams have had only 3 days of rest since their last competitive match
- Defensive vulnerability away: Botafogo struggles defensively on the road conceding an average of 2.11 goals per away match
- Missing playmaker: Cruzeiro's creativity is severely limited without key midfielder Matheus Pereira
Overview
Cruzeiro (8th place, 27 points) host Botafogo (9th place, 26 points)
Serie A clash at the Estádio Governador Magalhães Pinto on July 26, 2026, 8:00 PM
A tight mid-table battle with both teams aiming to close the gap to the top
Form
Cruzeiro is unbeaten in 5 matches with a form of WDWDW
Their last match was a 2-1 away victory against Internacional
Botafogo shows a solid run of form with WDLWD
They recently secured a 0-0 home draw against Vitória
Statistics
Cruzeiro averages 1.37 goals scored and 1.53 goals conceded per game
Their defense is more stable at home conceding only 1.0 goals per match
Botafogo scores an average of 1.78 goals away but concedes 2.11 goals
Over 2.5 goals occurred in 15 out of 19 matches for Botafogo this season
Head-to-Head
In the last 5 direct meetings Cruzeiro won 3 matches while Botafogo won 1 with 1 draw
The last encounter ended in a clear 4-0 home victory for Botafogo on January 30, 2026
Key Players
Kaio Jorge shines for Cruzeiro with 5 goals and a rising form trend
Defender Fagner has already contributed 3 assists this season
Botafogo relies on Arthur Cabral who scored 7 goals this season including 4 in his last 5 games
Goalkeepers
Otávio Costa played in goal for Cruzeiro keeping 4 clean sheets this season
Botafogo kept 2 clean sheets this season with Warleson featured in goal
Influences
The match will be played on the natural grass surface of the Estádio Governador Magalhães Pinto
Cruzeiro is strong at home with a 16:12 goal difference and 3 clean sheets
Historical matches at this venue average 2.8 total goals per game