Cruzeiro vs. Fortaleza Prediction, Match Preview and Betting Tips, 19 October 2025

In the upcoming Serie A clash, third-place Cruzeiro will host 18th-place Fortaleza. The match is crucial for Cruzeiro as they aim to solidify their spot in the top three and maintain their slim title hopes. Despite a recent slump with no wins in their last four matches, Cruzeiro has been revitalized under Leonardo Jardim’s management, and bookies still have them as favorites with odds of 1.41 to win.

On the other hand, Fortaleza is battling relegation and arrives in poor form, with four losses in their last five games. Their defense has been shaky, conceding an average of 1.6 goals per game this season. Injuries and suspensions exacerbate their woes, with several key players out.

Cruzeiro’s top scorer, Kaio Jorge, will miss this match due to suspension, but Gabriel Barbosa is expected to step up. With weather conditions being typical for this time of the year and no other major obstacles, our recommended bet is for Cruzeiro to win. This game could be pivotal for both teams, adding another chapter to an exciting 2025 Serie A season.

Cruzeiro vs Fortaleza Prediction & Betting tip

Cruzeiro vs Fortaleza Prediction
Betting tip
Cruzeiro to Win – Odds: 1.90

• Cruzeiro have shown impressive momentum with four wins in their last five matches, making them the bookmakers’ favorites.
• Fortaleza are currently in poor form, losing four of their last five games and struggling in the league standings.
• Despite recent struggles, Cruzeiro has been revitalized under Leonardo Jardim’s management, indicating strong home form.

Given the disparity in form and league position, our recommendation is a confident bet on Cruzeiro to secure a win in this crucial Serie A fixture.

Cruzeiro vs Fortaleza Odds

Cruzeiro is the clear favorite in this upcoming Serie A fixture, reflecting their superior form and league position compared to Fortaleza. The bookmakers have given odds of 1.41 for a Cruzeiro win, highlighting their confidence in Leonardo Jardim’s side to secure the three points. A draw is listed at 4.34, while an upset victory for Fortaleza is pegged at 7.42, illustrating the uphill battle facing the away team.

Cruzeiro vs Fortaleza Betting Odds
Bet	Odds
Cruzeiro	1.41
Draw	4.34
Fortaleza	7.42

With Cruzeiro’s home form and tactical balance under Jardim, these odds might offer good value for bettors. Fortaleza’s recent struggles, compounded by injuries and suspensions, make a victory for them seem less likely. Betting on Cruzeiro to win aligns with the current form and expectations for this match.

Cruzeiro Team Analysis

Cruzeiro Recent Performance

Cruzeiro’s recent form has been a mixed bag, recording one win, three draws, and one loss in their last five matches.

Date	Result	Competition
2025-10-16	Atletico MG 1 – 1 Cruzeiro	Serie A
2025-10-05	Cruzeiro 1 – 1 Sport Recife	Serie A
2025-10-02	Flamengo 0 – 0 Cruzeiro	Serie A
2025-09-27	Vasco da Gama 2 – 0 Cruzeiro	Serie A
2025-09-21	Cruzeiro 2 – 1 Red Bull Bragantino	Serie A

Recent performances show Cruzeiro struggling to convert draws into wins. Their average goals scored is at 0.80 per game, and they have managed just one clean sheet in their last five outings. Despite the attacking prowess of Kaio Jorge, who’s out due to suspension, Cruzeiro’s defense has been relatively solid, conceding 0.8 goals on average this season.

Head coach Leonardo Jardim will aim to regain momentum, and with strategic adjustments, Cruzeiro will look to solidify their position in the top three of Serie A.

Cruzeiro Key Players

Cruzeiro’s success this season has been significantly driven by their key players. Despite the suspension of top scorer Kaio Jorge, who has netted 15 goals this season, the team still boasts a strong attacking lineup.

Gabriel Barbosa, expected to fill the center forward role, will be crucial in maintaining their offensive threat. Midfield conductors like Matheus Pereira and Lucas Silva will play a pivotal role in controlling the game tempo and creating goal-scoring opportunities.

At the back, the defensive duo of Fabricio Bruno and Lucas Villalba will need to stay alert against Fortaleza’s attacking threats. Goalkeeper Leo Aragão steps in for Cassio, who is out with a concussion.

Expected lineup for Cruzeiro:

• Goalkeeper: Leo Aragão
• Defenders: William, Fabricio Bruno, Lucas Villalba, Kauã Prates
• Midfielders: Lucas Silva, Lucas Romero, Christian Cardoso, Matheus Pereira, Wanderson
• Forwards: Gabriel Barbosa

With key players stepping up, Cruzeiro aims to solidify their spot in the top three of Serie A.

Cruzeiro Suspensions & Injuries

Cruzeiro will have to navigate this important fixture without some key players due to suspensions and injuries.

Top scorer Kaio Jorge is suspended following a red card and will miss the match. His absence leaves a significant gap in the attacking lineup, but Gabriel Barbosa is expected to fill in as the main striker. Another suspension hits defender Kaiki, reducing options at the back.

Injuries also plague Cruzeiro, with Fagner (ankle injury), Matheus Henrique (broken rib), and Luis Sinisterra (thigh injury) all sidelined. Goalkeeper Cassio is out with a concussion, meaning Leo Aragão will step in between the posts.

These absences could affect Cruzeiro’s game plan, putting additional pressure on the remaining fit players to step up and deliver a crucial victory.

Cruzeiro Tactics and Formation

Cruzeiro’s tactical approach this season under Leonardo Jardim has been defined by a balanced 4-2-3-1 formation. This setup is designed to offer both offensive potency and defensive solidity.

Cruzeiro Tactical Breakdown:

• Formation: 4-2-3-1
• Key Forward: Gabriel Barbosa is set to lead the attack in the absence of Kaio Jorge.
• Midfield Duo: Lucas Silva and Lucas Romero provide a strong defensive shield in midfield, while Matheus Pereira orchestrates play as the attacking midfielder.
• Wing Threat: Christian Cardoso and Wanderson will likely exploit the flanks, stretching the opposition’s defense.
• Defensive Strength: Despite recent conceding issues, the centre-back pairing of Fabricio Bruno and Lucas Villalba has been solid, supported by full-backs William and Kauã Prates.

The priority for Cruzeiro will be to control possession and exploit Fortaleza’s defensive frailties, particularly during the 31-45-minute interval, where Cruzeiro has shown vulnerability this season. Their strategic adjustments, combined with a home advantage, make them favorites to secure a critical win.

Fortaleza Team Analysis

Fortaleza Recent Performance

Fortaleza’s recent form has been inconsistent, with two wins and three losses in their last five matches.

Date	Result	Competition
2025-10-16	Fortaleza 0 – 2 Vasco da Gama	Serie A
2025-10-05	Juventude 1 – 2 Fortaleza	Serie A
2025-10-02	Fortaleza 0 – 2 Sao Paulo	Serie A
2025-09-27	Fortaleza 1 – 0 Sport Recife	Serie A
2025-09-21	Palmeiras 4 – 1 Fortaleza	Serie A

Despite showing moments of promise, Fortaleza struggles with consistency and has only managed to keep one clean sheet in their last five fixtures. They average 0.80 goals per match and have conceded 1.6 goals on average this season. This poor defensive record has contributed significantly to their current standing in the relegation zone. Head coach Martin Palermo will need to address these defensive shortcomings and find a way to improve their attacking output if Fortaleza is to secure vital points.

Fortaleza Key Players

Fortaleza will rely heavily on specific key players to overcome their recent struggles. Their top scorer, Breno Lopes, who has netted four goals this season, will need to lead the attacking line. Alongside him, Juan Martin Lucero will also play a crucial role in maintaining their offensive threats.

In midfield, Tomas Pochettino and Lucas Sasha are expected to anchor the team, providing stability and creating opportunities for the forwards. Eros Mancuso and Emanuel Britez will be vital in holding the defensive line against Cruzeiro’s attacks.

Expected lineup for Fortaleza:

• Goalkeeper: Brenno Costa
• Defenders: Eros Mancuso, Emanuel Britez, Lucas Gazal, Diogo Barbosa
• Midfielders: Lucas Sasha, Matheus Pereira, Tomas Pochettino
• Forwards: Yago Pikachu, Juan Martin Lucero, Breno Lopes

With these key players, Fortaleza aims to put up a strong fight despite their current form and injury challenges.

Fortaleza Suspensions & Injuries

Fortaleza faces several challenges with injuries and suspensions ahead of their clash against Cruzeiro.

Several key players are currently sidelined:

• Bruninho (thigh injury) – Expected return: Late October 2025
• Emmanuel Martinez (thigh injury) – Expected return: Late October 2025
• Marcelo Benevenuto (thigh injury) – Expected return: Late October 2025
• Tinga (thigh injury) – Expected return: About 1-2 weeks
• Weverson (thigh injury) – Expected return: Late October 2025
• Joao Ricardo (shoulder injury) – Out for the season
• Bruno Pacheco (thigh injury) – Expected return: Late October 2025

Additionally, multiple suspensions further deplete their squad:

• Benjamin Kuscevic (red card) – One match left
• Pablo Roberto (red card) – One match left
• Adam Bareiro (red card) – One match left
• Gaston Avila (yellow cards) – One match left
• Deyverson (yellow cards) – One match left

These absences put extra pressure on the remaining squad members to deliver, making Fortaleza’s task even more challenging against a strong Cruzeiro side.

Fortaleza Tactics and Formation

Fortaleza approaches most games with a tactical setup aiming to maximize their strengths while masking weaknesses, often aligning in a 4-2-3-1 formation.

Fortaleza Tactical Breakdown:

• Formation: 4-2-3-1
• Key Forward: Breno Lopes will lead the line, aiming to capitalize on any counter-attacking opportunities.
• Midfield Duo: Lucas Sasha and Matheus Pereira provide the defensive shield and transition play, while Tomas Pochettino is tasked with more creative duties.
• Wing Play: Yago Pikachu and Breno Lopes from the flanks will be crucial in stretching Cruzeiro’s defense and supplying crosses into the box.
• Defensive Setup: A back four consisting of Eros Mancuso, Emanuel Britez, Lucas Gazal, and Diogo Barbosa will aim to stay compact and resilient.

Fortaleza will focus on strong defensive organization while looking to hit Cruzeiro on the break. Given their injury and suspension challenges, maintaining a disciplined formation and making the most of set-pieces will also be key tactical elements in this matchup.

Cruzeiro vs Fortaleza Head-to-Head Statistics

Reviewing the last five head-to-head encounters between Cruzeiro and Fortaleza gives us insight into their competitive history. Cruzeiro has secured three wins, Fortaleza two, indicating closely contested matches.

Date	Result	Competition
2025-05-25	Fortaleza 0 – 2 Cruzeiro	Serie A
2024-08-06	Cruzeiro 1 – 2 Fortaleza	Serie A
2024-04-17	Fortaleza 1 – 1 Cruzeiro	Serie A
2023-11-18	Fortaleza 0 – 1 Cruzeiro	Serie A
2023-06-21	Cruzeiro 0 – 1 Fortaleza	Serie A

Analysis:

• Cruzeiro edged out Fortaleza with a 2-0 win in their most recent encounter.
• Historically, matches have been tight, but Cruzeiro has a slight upper hand with three wins.
• Fortaleza’s victories highlight their occasional ability to spring surprises despite their current struggles.

This head-to-head record shows an intriguing pattern of results that suggests another closely fought contest is on the cards.

Odds accurate as of 17/10/2025 01:01, and are subject to change. Please always check the odds before placing your bets with any bookmaker.