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The Campeonato Brasileiro Série A season culminates in a critical Matchday 38 clash as Santos FC host Cruzeiro EC. This encounter, set for December 7, 2025, sees teams with vastly different aspirations. Santos, currently fighting tooth and nail to avoid relegation, will be desperate for points on home turf. Cruzeiro, on the other hand, sits comfortably in the top three, having enjoyed an impressive campaign, but will still aim to finish strong and secure their lofty position.
This match promises tension and tactical battles, with Santos’s survival instincts clashing against Cruzeiro’s established quality and defensive prowess. The atmosphere at Vila Belmiro will be electric as the home side seeks a crucial result to maintain their top-flight status.
Current League Standings
| Pos | Team | Pl | W | D | L | GD | Pts |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | CR Flamengo | 36 | 22 | 9 | 5 | 50 | 75 |
| 2 | SE Palmeiras | 36 | 21 | 7 | 8 | 28 | 70 |
| 3 | Cruzeiro EC | 35 | 19 | 11 | 5 | 27 | 68 |
| 4 | Mirassol FC | 35 | 17 | 12 | 6 | 24 | 63 |
| 5 | Fluminense FC | 36 | 17 | 7 | 12 | 8 | 58 |
| 6 | Botafogo FR | 35 | 16 | 10 | 9 | 18 | 58 |
| 7 | EC Bahia | 36 | 16 | 9 | 11 | 4 | 57 |
| 8 | São Paulo FC | 36 | 13 | 9 | 14 | -6 | 48 |
| 9 | Grêmio FBPA | 36 | 12 | 10 | 14 | -6 | 46 |
| 10 | CR Vasco da Gama | 36 | 13 | 6 | 17 | 2 | 45 |
| 11 | RB Bragantino | 36 | 13 | 6 | 17 | -14 | 45 |
| 12 | SC Corinthians Paulista | 35 | 12 | 9 | 14 | -4 | 45 |
| 13 | CA Mineiro | 35 | 11 | 12 | 12 | -2 | 45 |
| 14 | Ceará SC | 35 | 11 | 9 | 15 | -3 | 42 |
| 15 | Santos FC | 36 | 10 | 11 | 15 | -11 | 41 |
| 16 | SC Internacional | 36 | 10 | 11 | 15 | -12 | 41 |
| 17 | EC Vitória | 35 | 9 | 12 | 14 | -16 | 39 |
| 18 | Fortaleza EC | 35 | 9 | 10 | 16 | -15 | 37 |
| 19 | EC Juventude | 36 | 9 | 7 | 20 | -31 | 34 |
| 20 | SC Recife | 36 | 2 | 11 | 23 | -41 | 17 |
The league table paints a clear picture of the stakes involved for both clubs:
- Cruzeiro EC: Positioned impressively at 3rd in the Série A standings. With 68 points from 35 games, they boast a formidable record of 19 wins, 11 draws, and just 5 losses. Their goal difference of +27 (52 goals for, 25 against) highlights their balanced and defensively solid approach throughout the season.
- Santos FC: Currently sitting in 15th place with 41 points from 36 matches. They are perilously close to the relegation zone (17th position and below), with only 10 wins, 11 draws, and 15 losses. Their goal difference of -11 (39 goals for, 50 against) underlines their struggles both offensively and defensively.
Cruzeiro’s stability and strong performance contrast sharply with Santos’s season-long battle to avoid the drop. The difference in points and goal difference between the two sides is substantial, reflecting their respective seasons.
Head-to-Head Analysis
Recent Encounters
| Date | Competition | Home Team | Score | Away Team |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10 Aug 2025 | Campeonato Brasileiro Série A | Cruzeiro EC | 1 - 2 | Santos FC |
| 14 Sep 2023 | Campeonato Brasileiro Série A | Santos FC | 0 - 3 | Cruzeiro EC |
| 06 May 2023 | Campeonato Brasileiro Série A | Cruzeiro EC | 2 - 1 | Santos FC |
Recent encounters between Santos and Cruzeiro offer a mixed bag of results, though Cruzeiro has held an edge:
- August 10, 2025: Cruzeiro 1 – 2 Santos (Santos win away)
- September 14, 2023: Santos 0 – 3 Cruzeiro (Cruzeiro win away)
- May 6, 2023: Cruzeiro 2 – 1 Santos (Cruzeiro win home)
In the last three Brasileiro Série A meetings, Cruzeiro has secured two victories, while Santos managed one away win in their most recent encounter. Notably, Cruzeiro’s dominant 3-0 victory at Santos in 2023 showcased their capability to perform strongly on the road against them. The aggregate goals across these three matches average out to exactly 3 goals per game, suggesting that while Cruzeiro’s defense is stout, these fixtures can still see goals.
Our Prediction
This match presents a classic clash of motivations. Santos, playing at home on the final day, will be absolutely desperate for points to secure their Série A survival. Their fight will be immense, but they face a highly organized and defensively robust Cruzeiro side.
Cruzeiro’s league position reflects their consistent quality, particularly their league-best defense, which has conceded only 25 goals in 35 games. While their attacking output is modest, their ability to control games and limit opposition chances is remarkable. Santos, meanwhile, has struggled to find the back of the net consistently against top-tier defenses, and their own defensive record is concerning.
Despite Santos’s home advantage and desperate situation, overcoming Cruzeiro’s defensive solidity will be a monumental task. Given Cruzeiro’s stingy defense and Santos’s struggles in front of goal against quality opposition, a low-scoring affair seems probable. The average goal count in their recent head-to-head encounters being close to 2.5 further supports this.
Our top betting tip for this match is:
Under 2.5 Goals
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