Botafogo vs Cruzeiro Prediction 3 August 2025
🔊 On August 3rd, Botafogo and Cruzeiro face off at the Nilton Santos in Rio de Janeiro as part of the 18th round of Brazil's Serie A. Both teams are in the upper half of the table and are eager to solidify their positions. Botafogo currently sits in sixth place, showing consistent form at home, though they haven't always managed to fully capitalize on their potential in recent matches. Cruzeiro, on the other hand, holds second place and is in fine form, showcasing a solid defense and confident attacking play. Last season's head-to-head history favors Cruzeiro, who often came out on top in their encounters, but Botafogo is always a formidable opponent on their home turf. This match promises to be intense and competitive, with both teams vying for crucial points in their battle for the top spots.
Head-to-Head
The last official encounter between the teams took place on 28 July 2024 and concluded with a 3-0 scoreline. Here's a comparative breakdown of the stats from that match (Botafogo were the home side):
- possession: 51% vs 49%;
- corners: 8 vs 1;
- fouls: 14 vs 15;
- yellow cards: 2 vs 4;
- shots on target: 10 vs 5.
📊 Statistical preview of the official encounters between Botafogo and Cruzeiro:
- 34 matches played;
- home wins - 8, away wins - 15, draws - 11;
- goals scored - 35 by Botafogo, 46 by Cruzeiro;
- average goals in the first half - 1.03, in the second half - 1.35;
- average total goals per match - 2.38.
Head-to-head statistics Botafogo - Cruzeiro

Botafogo FR Team Overview
The team's last official match took place on during the Round of 16 in the Copa do Brasil, with Botafogo hosting Bragantino. The match concluded with a 2-0 victory.
Here are the match statistics (Botafogo vs Bragantino):
- possession: 49% vs 51%;
- corner kicks: 6 vs 3;
- fouls: 10 vs 7;
- yellow cards: 2 vs 2;
- shots on target: 7 vs 4.
⚫ In their last round, Botafogo drew 1-1 at home against Corinthians. This result helped the team secure sixth place in the standings with 26 points. Just three days after this match, Botafogo confidently defeated Bragantino 2-0 at home in the first leg of the Copa do Brasil Round of 16.
⭐ A victory over Cruzeiro would strengthen Botafogo's position in the upper part of the table and maintain their chances for international tournament participation. However, a defeat would complicate their battle for top spots and put the team under additional pressure.
Match Results: Botafogo FR

Cruzeiro Team Overview
The visitors last played an official match on during the Round of 16 in the Copa do Brasil, where they faced Cruzeiro away. The match ended in a 0-0 draw.
Here are the match statistics (Cruzeiro vs CRB):
- possession percentage: 61% vs 39%;
- corner kicks: 12 vs 3;
- fouls: 9 vs 21;
- yellow cards: 3 vs 5;
- shots on target: 11 vs 2.
🔵 In the latest round, Cruzeiro unexpectedly fell at home to Ceará (1-2), despite establishing an early lead. This defeat leaves them in second place, and they cannot afford to drop points in their upcoming match. A victory over Botafogo would help Cruzeiro maintain their strong position and continue their title challenge, while a loss would complicate matters and intensify the competition at the top of the table.
🏆 On July 31, Cruzeiro played their first leg of the Copa do Brasil Round of 16, drawing against a Serie B side, Regatas (0-0). The "Foxes" are evidently struggling with form and have slowed down, as this marked their third consecutive match without a win.
Match Results: Cruzeiro
Prediction for the 1st half
Head-to-head:
- Total encounters - 34;
- First-half wins at home - 7; away wins - 3; draws - 7;
- Average first-half total: 1.03;
- Today's hosts average 0.5 goals, while the visitors score 0.53.
First-half statistics: Botafogo (home) vs Cruzeiro (away)
- Matches played in the tournament: 7 vs 8;
- Wins: 5 (71.43%) vs 3 (37.5%);
- Losses: 1 (14.29%) vs 2 (25%);
- Draws: 1 (14.29%) vs 3 (37.5%);
- Average goals scored: 1.29 vs 1.25;
- Average goals conceded: 0.29 vs 0.38.
Last 10 matches (overall):
- Wins: 5 vs 5;
- Losses: 0 vs 0;
- Draws: 5 vs 5;
- Average first-half total: 0.7 (scored - 0.7, conceded - 0) vs 1.1 (scored - 1, conceded - 0.1).
- Botafogo have won the first half at home in 9 of their last 10 matches.
Outcome Prediction
Head-to-Head:
- Total encounters - 34;
- Wins by home team - 8, away team - 15, draws - 11.
Statistics: Botafogo vs Cruzeiro
- Matches played in the tournament: 15 vs 17;
- Victories: 7 vs 10;
- Win percentage: 47% vs 59%;
- Losses: 3 vs 3;
- Draws: 5 vs 4.
Last 10 Matches:
- Victories: 6 vs 5;
- Losses: 2 vs 1;
- Draws: 2 vs 4.
Total Goals Prediction
Head-to-Head:
- The current home team averages - 1.03 goals, the visitors - 1.35;
- Average total goals in head-to-head matches - 2.38;
- Both teams scored: overall - 15 times; at the home team's ground - 10 times.
Statistics: Botafogo vs Cruzeiro
- Average total in the tournament: 1.73 vs 2.29;
- Average goals scored: 1.2 vs 1.65;
- Average total in the first half: 0.47 vs 1;
- Average total in the second half: 0.73 vs 0.65;
- Botafogo: average total at home in the tournament - 2;
- Cruzeiro: average total away in the tournament - 1.13;
- Last 10 matches (average total): 1.2 (home - 1.6) vs 1.5 (away - 1).
- Botafogo scores less than 1.5 goals in 7 of their last 8 head-to-head meetings with this team (Serie A).
- Botafogo scores less than 1.5 goals at home in 6 of their last 7 head-to-head meetings with this team (Serie A).
Corners Prediction
Botafogo: Statistics
- Season: average total in the tournament - 4.6; at home - 5.43;
- Last 10 matches: average total - 4.3; at home - 4.8.
Cruzeiro: Statistics
- Season: average total in the tournament - 5.71, away - 4.63;
- Last 10 matches: average total - 6; away - 4.
- Total under 9.5 corners hit in 6 of the last 7 head-to-head matches between these teams (Serie A).
Cards Prediction
Head-to-Head
- Average total yellow cards in head-to-head matches - 3.06 (1.53 for the home team and 1.53 for the visitors);
- Average total yellow cards at the home team's ground - 3.35 (1.41 for the home team and 1.94 for the visitors).
Botafogo: Statistics
- Season: average total in the tournament - 2.2; at home - 1.57;
- Last 10 matches: average total - 2.2; at home - 1.8.
Cruzeiro: Statistics
- Season: average total in the tournament - 2.35, away - 2.13;
- Last 10 matches: average total - 2; away - 1.75.
Both Teams to Score Prediction
Head-to-Head:
- Total encounters - 34;
- Both teams scored overall - 15 times;
- At the home team's ground - 10 times.
Statistics: Botafogo vs Cruzeiro
- Total matches played in the tournament: 15 vs 17;
- Total matches this season where both teams scored (BTTS): 3 vs 6;
- BTTS for Botafogo at home - 3 (43%);
- BTTS for Cruzeiro away - 1 (13%).
Last 10 Matches:
- Total BTTS matches: 3 vs 3;
- BTTS for Botafogo at home - 3 (60%);
- BTTS for Cruzeiro away - 0 (0%).
⭐ Editorial Prediction
Both teams are highly motivated: Botafogo aim to solidify their position at the top of the table, while Cruzeiro look to maintain their spot among the leaders. The head-to-head history slightly favors Cruzeiro, but playing at home gives Botafogo an additional edge. Considering the current form and the significance of the match for both sides, a well-founded prediction would be under 2.5 goals. The game is unlikely to be high-scoring, as both teams are expected to focus on tactical discipline and caution.