Santos vs Cruzeiro Predictions

Sunday’s Brazilian Serie A action sees Santos doing battle with Cruzeiro in Vila Belmiro. The hosts arrive as big favourites to win the game and will be looking to do exactly that without any issues.

Whilst they won’t be running out champions this year, Santos have had a very strong season and all but have automatic qualification for the group stages of the Copa Libertadores wrapped up. Without the financial muscle of Palmeiras and Flamengo, and many of the sides below them, Peixe have picked up an impressive 65 points from 33 games and come into this game in 3rd place.

It’s not clear yet if boss Jorge Sampaoli will continue with the club’s project next year but for now focus can only be on a strong end to the campaign. Unbeaten in 6 games, of which they’ve won 4, the side can be extremely confident coming into Sunday’s game and having also won 5 of their last 6 home games, their prospects look bright as regards securing victory.

Meanwhile, after a terrible performance in a 0-0 home draw against already relegated Avai, Cruzeiro come into this fixture under massive pressure. Indeed, Raposa have been terrible for most of the season and with 5 games left to run, find themselves at real risk of being relegated to Serie B, currently stationed just 1 point above the drop zone.

Having came into the campaign hoping to challenge for the title, it’s all gone horribly wrong for the visitors and they are now just looking for the season to end with their top flight status intact. Nonetheless, having failed to score in their last 3 matches, it’s hard to see where Cruzeiro’s desperately needed goals are going to come from in the remaining games and you have to fear for them in this particular game.

Ultimately, this is a match Santos should be winning comfortably. Motivated by their desire to ensure they finish inside the top 4, the hosts have everything needed to go on and win the game and the fact that 29 points separates the sides in the standings more than tells its own story.

All things considered, backing a home win looks by far the best way to play as far as the betting is concerned in this one and is something we’re more than happy to do. Santos have plunged home an average of 2 goals a game over their last 6 home matches and we don’t picture them having any issues in continuing that trend, with a 2-0 margin of home victory on the cards.