Can Cruzeiro punish a Santos side without its biggest attacking names? Santos vs Cruzeiro prediction - 13.09.2026
Santos and Cruzeiro meet at Vila Belmiro in the 27th round of the Brazilian Serie A on September 13, 2026. Both sides arrive with momentum, but their objectives are very different: Cuca's Santos have climbed to 12th with 32 points and opened a seven-point cushion over the relegation zone, while Cruzeiro are sixth with 42 points and only three points away from the top four.
Santos: the results are improving, but Cuca is losing key pieces
Santos have finally found some stability in the Brasileirão. The Peixe are unbeaten in four league matches, beating Vasco da Gama 3-0, drawing 1-1 with Mirassol, defeating Corinthians 1-0 and then producing an impressive 3-2 away win over Internacional. Three of those four games were victories, and Cuca's team have gradually moved away from the immediate relegation battle.
The win over Internacional was especially revealing. Santos built a 3-0 advantage in the first half by defending compactly and attacking the spaces left by their opponents, but they lost control after the break and only just protected the result. It showed both sides of the current team: they can be extremely dangerous in transition, but their defensive stability is still far from perfect.
The biggest problem ahead of Cruzeiro is personnel. Neymar suffered a type 2B muscle injury in his right thigh and could be out until the beginning of November. Álvaro Barreal is treating a hamstring injury, while Lucas Veríssimo is recovering from an ankle problem. On top of that, Gabigol and Escobar collected their third yellow cards against Internacional and are suspended. Gabigol would already have been unavailable against his parent club Cruzeiro under the terms of his loan.
That leaves much more creative responsibility on Benjamin Rollheiser. The Argentine was involved in two of Santos' three first-half goals against Internacional and is emerging as the main attacking organiser in Neymar's absence. Rony, Caballero and Thaciano give Cuca alternatives further forward, while the recent arrivals of Arthur and Lima have increased the options in midfield.
Cruzeiro: Artur Jorge has transformed the season
Cruzeiro's situation is almost the opposite. Artur Jorge took charge with the club at the bottom of the table, but his team have since climbed into the fight for direct qualification to the 2027 Copa Libertadores. The 3-1 victory over third-placed Athletico Paranaense took Cruzeiro to 42 points and left them just three behind the top four.
Their league form is excellent: Cruzeiro have won five of their last six Brasileirão matches. They beat Coritiba, Mirassol, Corinthians and Flamengo before losing 3-1 to Vasco, then responded immediately by defeating Athletico 3-1. Against the Furacão, Matheus Pereira, Lucas Romero and Kaio Jorge scored, with Gerson once again adding quality to the midfield.
Artur Jorge still has some squad issues. Bruno Rodrigues, Gabriel Pec, Luis Sinisterra and Jonathan Jesus were on the injury list ahead of the latest round. Even so, Cruzeiro retain a strong core with Fabrício Bruno at the back, Lucas Romero and Gerson in midfield, Matheus Pereira between the lines and Kaio Jorge leading the attack.
Match facts and head-to-heads
- Santos are unbeaten in four consecutive Brasileirão matches, with three wins and one draw.
- Cruzeiro have won five of their last six league games.
- Santos have 32 points and sit 12th, while Cruzeiro have 42 and are sixth.
- The first meeting between the teams this season ended 0-0 at the Mineirão on March 22.
- In their previous meeting at Vila Belmiro, Santos beat Cruzeiro 3-0 in December 2025.
Cruzeiro look better equipped to handle the decisive moments
Santos deserve respect for their recent improvement, especially because Cuca has found a pragmatic formula that suits the squad. At Vila Belmiro, they can make this uncomfortable by defending in numbers and looking for Rollheiser and the quick attackers in transition.
However, this is a particularly difficult moment to face one of the league's most in-form teams. Santos will be without Neymar and Gabigol, their two biggest attacking references, while Escobar is also suspended and Barreal and Lucas Veríssimo are recovering from injuries. That considerably reduces Cuca's margin for manoeuvre.
Cruzeiro, meanwhile, have greater continuity, more quality available in decisive areas and a very clear objective in the fight for the top four. Matheus Pereira and Gerson can give the visitors control in midfield, while Kaio Jorge offers the movement and finishing required to punish a Santos defence that has already conceded 38 league goals.
A draw remains very possible at Vila Belmiro, so protecting against that outcome looks preferable to taking Cruzeiro on the straight match result.
Prediction: Cruzeiro Asian handicap (0).
