Santos vs Cruzeiro Prediction

Santos host Cruzeiro at Vila Belmiro in round 27 of Serie A on September 13, 2026. Santos sit 12th with 32 points, seven clear of the relegation zone after four consecutive unbeaten matches. Cruzeiro are sixth with 42 points, three behind the top four, and have won five of their last six league games under Artur Jorge.

Cuca's Santos beat Vasco 3-0, drew 1-1 with Mirassol, defeated Corinthians 1-0 and won 3-2 away at Internacional. That Internacional match exposed both strengths and weaknesses: Santos built a 3-0 first-half lead through compact defence and transition play but lost control after the break and nearly surrendered the result. Cruzeiro have been more consistent. They beat Coritiba, Mirassol, Corinthians and Flamengo, lost 3-1 to Vasco, then responded with a 3-1 win over Athletico Paranaense with goals from Matheus Pereira, Lucas Romero and Kaio Jorge.

Form and H2H

Santos have won three of their last four league matches and drawn one. Cruzeiro have won five of their last six. The teams drew 0-0 at the Mineirão on March 22 this season. In their previous meeting at Vila Belmiro in December 2025, Santos won 3-0.

Personnel heavily favours Cruzeiro. Santos will be without Neymar (type 2B muscle injury to right thigh, out until early November), Gabigol (suspended for his third yellow card and ineligible under loan terms anyway), Escobar (suspended) and have Álvaro Barreal and Lucas Veríssimo recovering from injury. Benjamin Rollheiser, the Argentine midfielder, becomes Santos' main creative outlet. Cruzeiro have Bruno Rodrigues, Gabriel Pec, Luis Sinisterra and Jonathan Jesus on the injury list but retain Fabrício Bruno in defence, Lucas Romero and Gerson in midfield, Matheus Pereira in the attacking line and Kaio Jorge as the focal point up front.

Best Bet

Cruzeiro to win with Asian handicap (0). Santos deserve credit for their recent form and can make this uncomfortable through defensive discipline and transition speed, but they face a particularly difficult moment without Neymar and Gabigol. Cruzeiro have greater continuity, more quality in midfield through Gerson and Matheus Pereira, and a clear objective in chasing the top four. Kaio Jorge has the movement and finishing to exploit a Santos defence that has conceded 38 league goals. A draw remains possible at Vila Belmiro, making the Asian handicap preferable to a straight win bet.

Odds to Watch

22Bet prices Cruzeiro at 3.064, the draw at 3.295 and Santos at 2.425. Santos' recent form and home advantage keep them competitive in the odds, but Cruzeiro's injury advantage and league momentum make them the value play at those prices.