Match Preview
The Campeonato Brasileiro Série A heads into Matchday 36 with a compelling clash between Ceará SC and Cruzeiro EC. This late-season encounter sees a Ceará side looking to secure their mid-table position against a high-flying Cruzeiro team with ambitions of a top-three finish and a coveted Copa Libertadores spot. The home side will rely on their resilience, while Cruzeiro will aim to leverage their superior league form and robust defense to grab three crucial points on the road.
Current League Standings
| Pos | Team | Pl | W | D | L | GD | Pts |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | CR Flamengo | 35 | 22 | 8 | 5 | 50 | 74 |
| 2 | SE Palmeiras | 35 | 21 | 7 | 7 | 29 | 70 |
| 3 | Cruzeiro EC | 35 | 19 | 11 | 5 | 27 | 68 |
| 4 | Mirassol FC | 35 | 17 | 12 | 6 | 24 | 63 |
| 5 | Botafogo FR | 35 | 16 | 10 | 9 | 18 | 58 |
| 6 | EC Bahia | 35 | 16 | 8 | 11 | 4 | 56 |
| 7 | Fluminense FC | 35 | 16 | 7 | 12 | 2 | 55 |
| 8 | São Paulo FC | 35 | 13 | 9 | 13 | 0 | 48 |
| 9 | RB Bragantino | 35 | 13 | 6 | 16 | -13 | 45 |
| 10 | SC Corinthians Paulista | 35 | 12 | 9 | 14 | -4 | 45 |
| 11 | CA Mineiro | 34 | 11 | 11 | 12 | -2 | 44 |
| 12 | Grêmio FBPA | 35 | 11 | 10 | 14 | -7 | 43 |
| 13 | CR Vasco da Gama | 35 | 12 | 6 | 17 | -2 | 42 |
| 14 | Ceará SC | 35 | 11 | 9 | 15 | -3 | 42 |
| 15 | SC Internacional | 35 | 10 | 11 | 14 | -8 | 41 |
| 16 | EC Vitória | 35 | 9 | 12 | 14 | -16 | 39 |
| 17 | Santos FC | 35 | 9 | 11 | 15 | -14 | 38 |
| 18 | Fortaleza EC | 34 | 8 | 10 | 16 | -16 | 34 |
| 19 | EC Juventude | 35 | 9 | 6 | 20 | -31 | 33 |
| 20 | SC Recife | 35 | 2 | 11 | 22 | -38 | 17 |
- Cruzeiro EC: Currently sitting in an impressive 3rd position, Cruzeiro has been one of the standout teams of the 2025 Brasileirão campaign. With 68 points from 35 games, they boast a formidable record of 19 wins, 11 draws, and just 5 losses. Their defensive solidity is particularly noteworthy, having conceded only 25 goals – the second-best record in the league. Their goal difference of +27 underscores their overall strength.
- Ceará SC: Ceará finds themselves in 14th place with 42 points after 35 matches. Their season has been more inconsistent, with 11 wins, 9 draws, and 15 defeats. Offensively, they’ve struggled to find the back of the net, scoring just 32 goals, while conceding 35. They are looking to consolidate their position and avoid any late-season relegation scares.
Head-to-Head Analysis
Recent Encounters
| Date | Competition | Home Team | Score | Away Team |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 27 Jul 2025 | Campeonato Brasileiro Série A | Cruzeiro EC | 1 - 2 | Ceará SC |
Past encounters between Ceará SC and Cruzeiro EC have often been tight affairs. In their most recent league meeting earlier this season (Matchday 17), Ceará secured a surprise 2-1 away victory at Cruzeiro. However, historical aggregate data for when Ceará has hosted Cruzeiro suggests a tendency for draws. Across five prior matchups in the Brasileirão, only 7 goals have been scored in total, indicating a generally low-scoring trend when these two sides meet. This pattern of defensive play and close contests suggests neither team finds it easy to dominate the other, regardless of current form.
Our Prediction
Analyzing the current league form, defensive records, and historical head-to-head results, one trend stands out prominently. Cruzeiro EC boasts one of the stingiest defenses in the league, having conceded an average of just 0.71 goals per game. Ceará SC, on the other hand, has one of the league’s weaker offenses, averaging less than a goal per game. Coupled with a historical head-to-head that often sees low goal counts, this match is primed for a defensively oriented battle with limited scoring opportunities. Therefore, our top betting tip for this Brasileiro clash is focused on the total goals market.
Betting Tip:
Under 2.5 Goals
