Cruzeiro vs São Paulo Prediction: Expect a balanced game

It's one of the best matches of Round 26, with both teams positioned in the G6 of the Brasileirão and fighting for a place in the Copa Libertadores. Cruzeiro is fifth with 41 points, while São Paulo is sixth with the same points, but the Miners have a slightly better goal average. With such similar statistics, the match will likely be very even.

The Fox's last game was on September 1st due to the international break, so the team had time to prepare carefully for the match with São Paulo. At the Mineirão, Cruzeiro had no problem beating last-placed Atlético Goianiense 3-1 to end a run of five league games without a win. The Belo Horizonte team has overtaken São Paulo in the standings and can now increase its lead over the Paulistas in case of victory in the upcoming fixture.

After losing 1-0 at home to Atlético Mineiro in the first leg of the Copa do Brasil quarter-finals, São Paulo needed to win at the Arena MRV. However, Luís Zubeldía's men were uninspired and only came close to scoring towards the end. The Argentine coach has assembled a tactically solid side but lacks the creativity a great team should have once it's behind on the scoreboard. The Paulistas have a big match against Botafogo for the Copa Libertadores in midweek, and probably Zubeldía won't field his best eleven against Cruzeiro.

The two teams are on a similar level, but the São Paulo coach may give some players a rest before the Copa Libertadores match. Cruzeiro also has a Copa Sudamericana game to play but has one more day of rest than the Paulistas and didn't play in midweek. I'm betting on a Double Chance for Cruzeiro with a maximum of two goals scored in the 90 minutes.