Cruzeiro vs Botafogo Prediction 4 December 2025
🔊 The penultimate round clash between Cruzeiro and Botafogo promises to be thrilling. Both teams have shown commendable form in recent matches, but their motivations differ. Cruzeiro have officially secured a top-three finish in the league and qualified for the Copa Libertadores group stage, yet they remain in contention for the second spot against Palmeiras. Meanwhile, Botafogo, sitting in sixth place, have also guaranteed at least a qualification spot for the Copa Libertadores but can push for a group stage berth and solidify their position in the top five. Both sides play pragmatically, focusing on solid defense. Considering their recent performances and current trends, we can anticipate a tactical battle with a minimal number of goals.
Head-to-Head
The last official match between the teams took place on 03 August 2025 and ended with a 0-2 scoreline. Here's a comparative breakdown of that encounter (Botafogo were the home side):
- possession percentage: 56% vs 44%;
- corners: 6 vs 5;
- fouls: 15 vs 7;
- yellow cards: 3 vs 2;
- shots on target: 2 vs 4.
📊 Statistical preview of the official encounters between Cruzeiro and Botafogo:
- 35 matches played;
- home wins - 16, away wins - 8, draws - 11;
- goals scored - 48 for Cruzeiro, 35 for Botafogo;
- average total in the first half - 1.06, in the second half - 1.31;
- average total goals per match - 2.37.
Head-to-head statistics Cruzeiro - Botafogo
Cruzeiro Team Overview
The team's last official match took place on during the 36th round of Serie A, featuring Ceara as the hosts and Cruzeiro as the visitors. The game concluded with a 1-1 draw.
Here are the match statistics (Cruzeiro vs Ceara):
- possession: 63% vs 37%;
- corner kicks: 8 vs 5;
- fouls: 15 vs 10;
- yellow cards: 4 vs 2;
- shots on target: 3 vs 3.
🔵 Cruzeiro are in impressive form, remaining unbeaten in 11 consecutive matches. However, during this stretch, the "Foxes" have drawn more games than they've won: seven draws and four victories. In their last outing, Leonardo Jardim's squad shared the spoils with Ceará on the road (1-1). Cruzeiro sit third in the standings and have officially secured a top-three finish, despite upcoming fixtures against Botafogo and Santos. They have accumulated 69 points, while second-placed Palmeiras have 70. So, if the "Foxes" win their matches and the "Green and Whites" slip up, Cruzeiro could claim second place.
Match Results: Cruzeiro
Botafogo FR Team Overview
The visitors last took to the pitch on in Serie A's 36th round, where they faced Corinthians as the away team. The match concluded with a 2-2 draw.
Here are the match statistics (Botafogo vs Corinthians):
- possession: 39% vs 61%;
- corners: 4 vs 7;
- fouls: 18 vs 13;
- yellow cards: 3 vs 3;
- shots on target: 2 vs 6.
⚫ Botafogo are on an eight-match unbeaten run, boasting 4 wins and 4 draws. In their last outing, Davide Ancelotti's side shared the spoils with Corinthians in a 2-2 draw away from home. Currently sitting in sixth place, the "Lone Star" trail Fluminense by two points, with Fluminense having played and won their match, securing 61 points to Botafogo's 59. Wins in their remaining fixtures against Cruzeiro and Fortaleza will guarantee Ancelotti's team a fifth-place finish, securing direct entry into the Copa Libertadores group stage. Dropping points in Belo Horizonte is not an option, especially considering their home defeat to Cruzeiro (0-2) in the first round, and they are keen on exacting revenge.
Match Results: Botafogo FR
Prediction for the 1st half
Head-to-head Matches:
- Total encounters - 35;
- First-half wins for the home team - 5; for the away team - 1; draws - 11;
- Average first-half total: 1.06;
- Today's home side averages 0.57 goals, while the visitors average 0.49.
First-half Statistics: Cruzeiro (home) vs Botafogo (away)
- Matches played in the tournament: 18 vs 18;
- Wins: 9 (50%) vs 2 (11.11%);
- Losses: 1 (5.56%) vs 6 (33.33%);
- Draws: 8 (44.44%) vs 10 (55.56%);
- Average goals scored: 1.39 vs 0.61;
- Average goals conceded: 0.39 vs 0.39.
Last 10 Matches (Overall):
- Wins: 4 vs 4;
- Losses: 2 vs 4;
- Draws: 4 vs 2;
- Average first-half total: 1.1 (scored - 0.7, conceded - 0.4) vs 1.3 (scored - 0.7, conceded - 0.6).
- Cruzeiro have drawn the first half in their last 6 head-to-head Serie A matches against this team at home.
Outcome Prediction
Head-to-Head:
- Total encounters - 35;
- Home team victories - 16, away team victories - 8, draws - 11.
Statistics: Cruzeiro vs Botafogo
- Matches played in the tournament: 36 vs 36;
- Wins: 19 vs 16;
- Win percentage: 53% vs 44%;
- Losses: 5 vs 9;
- Draws: 12 vs 11.
Last 10 Matches:
- Wins: 4 vs 4;
- Losses: 0 vs 2;
- Draws: 6 vs 4.
- Botafogo have drawn their last 3 away matches in Serie A.
Total Goals Prediction
Head-to-Head:
- Average goals scored by the home team - 1.37, away team - 1;
- Average total goals in head-to-head matches - 2.37;
- Both teams scored: overall - 15 times; at the home team's field - 5 times.
Statistics: Cruzeiro vs Botafogo
- Average tournament total: 2.19 vs 2.39;
- Average goals scored: 1.47 vs 1.44;
- Average first-half total: 0.83 vs 0.67;
- Average second-half total: 0.64 vs 0.78;
- Cruzeiro's average home total in the tournament - 1.83;
- Botafogo's average away total in the tournament - 0.94;
- Last 10 matches (average total): 1.4 (home - 1.6) vs 1.5 (away - 0.8).
- Cruzeiro score less than 1.5 goals at home in 7 of their last 8 head-to-head encounters with Botafogo.
Corners Prediction
Cruzeiro: Statistics
- Season: average tournament total - 6.03; at home - 6.94;
- Last 10 matches: average total - 6.4; at home - 6.4.
Botafogo: Statistics
- Season: average tournament total - 4.86, away - 3.94;
- Last 10 matches: average total - 5.3; away - 4.4.
- Cruzeiro have taken fewer than 6.5 corners in 7 of their last 8 head-to-head meetings with Botafogo (Serie A).
Cards Prediction
Head-to-Head
- Average total yellow cards in head-to-head matches - 3.26 (1.63 for the home team and 1.63 for the away team);
- Average total yellow cards at the home field - 2.94 (1.29 for the home team and 1.65 for the away team).
Cruzeiro: Statistics
- Season: average tournament total - 2.86; at home - 2.94;
- Last 10 matches: average total - 3.2; at home - 3.
Botafogo: Statistics
- Season: average tournament total - 2.44, away - 2.39;
- Last 10 matches: average total - 2.9; away - 2.6.
Both Teams to Score Prediction
Head-to-Head:
- Total encounters - 35;
- Both teams scored overall - 15 times;
- At the home team's field - 5 times.
Statistics: Cruzeiro vs Botafogo
- Total matches played in the tournament: 36 vs 36;
- Total matches in the season where both teams scored (BTTS): 16 vs 12;
- Cruzeiro's BTTS at home - 10 (56%);
- Botafogo's BTTS away - 3 (17%).
Last 10 matches:
- Total BTTS matches: 5 vs 4;
- Cruzeiro's BTTS at home - 2 (40%);
- Botafogo's BTTS away - 1 (20%).
⭐ Editorial Prediction
The upcoming match promises to be a tactical showdown with a low goal count. Both teams have shown commendable form in recent matches, but their pragmatic style and focus on solid defense suggest a low-scoring affair. Both clubs are highly motivated, and dropping points is not in either side's plans. They play with a defensive mindset, reducing the likelihood of many goals being scored. Considering the strong defensive lines and the competitive tension, betting on a low-scoring match seems a sensible choice.
Our prediction: Cruzeiro's individual total under 1.5 goals, which has occurred at the "Mineirão" in 7 of the last 8 head-to-head encounters between these teams. A draw doesn't favor either side, but we wouldn't be surprised if this match ends with a goalless scoreline.
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Betting Tips: Cruzeiro - Botafogo FR
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Comparison of Teams Stats
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