Cruzeiro v Juventude

20/07/2025 – Kick Off (20:00 GMT)

Cruzeiro are the new leaders of the Brasileirão after a strong week that saw Flamengo slip up and Cruzeiro extend their winning run in the league to two matches. After 14 games, they’ve recorded nine wins, three draws, and just two defeats.

In midweek, they secured a 2-nil away victory over Rio de Janeiro’s Fluminense, with goals from Fabrício Bruno and Kaio Jorge sealing the points. Cruzeiro have been in outstanding form this season and will be eager to keep that momentum going.

They currently lead Flamengo by three points and know that a win here could stretch their advantage to six before Flamengo face their bitter rivals, Fluminense.

Juventude may sit in the bottom four, but they come into this match with a bit of confidence after picking up just their third win of the season last time out, a 2-0 victory over a struggling Sport Recife side. Two goals from Gilberto secured a vital three points for the Rio Grande do Sul club.

A win here could potentially lift them out of the relegation zone, something they’ll be desperate to achieve. After 12 matches, Juventude have three wins, two draws, and seven defeats.

Prediction: 3-0

Vitória v Bragantino

20/07/2025 – Kick Off (20:00 GMT)

Vitória remain stuck in the bottom four and are desperate to improve their form. They are currently on an eight-match winless run in all competitions.

Most recently, however, they put in a resilient defensive display to earn a 0-0 draw against Botafogo, a game where they faced plenty of pressure and goal attempts. Despite creating very little themselves, Vitória held firm, largely thanks to a heroic performance from goalkeeper Lucas Arcanjo, who ensured they didn’t leave empty-handed.

Vitória sit 17th in the league with two wins, six draws, and six defeats from their 14 matches. They trail the safety positions by just two points and will be hoping a turnaround starts here.

Bragantino sit in third place after 14 matches, having won eight, drawn three, and lost three. Last time out, they played out an entertaining 2-2 draw with fellow Paulista side, São Paulo.

While it was an exciting game, Bragantino may feel slightly disappointed not to have taken full advantage of a São Paulo side struggling for form. They’ll be hoping to bounce back with a win here and keep the pressure on the teams above them in the table.

Prediction: 0-1

Palmeiras v Atlético Mineiro

20/07/2025 – Kick Off (21:30 GMT)

Palmeiras will also be looking to improve their recent form. From their 14 league matches, they’ve won seven, drawn two, and lost three. However, they’ve gone three matches without a win, suffering two defeats and a draw during that run.

Most recently, they were held to a frustrating 1-1 draw by fellow Paulista side Mirassol. Facundo Torres gave Palmeiras the lead, but Chico equalised for Mirassol, earning them a valuable point.

Palmeiras currently sit fifth in the league and will be eager to bounce back. Unlike Galo, they haven’t had any midweek fixtures and will be hoping the extra rest works in their favour.

Atlético Mineiro’s impressive eight-game unbeaten run came to an end last time out as they fell to a 2-1 defeat against Bahia in the league. Luciano Juba opened the scoring for Bahia before Hulk equalised for Atlético deep into stoppage time as it looked like the match would end in a draw, but Michel Araujo firing home in the 98th minute to snatch a dramatic victory for Bahia.

Things improved for Atlético in midweek, though, as they secured a 1-0 win over Atlético Bucaramanga of Colombia in the Copa Sudamericana. Hulk converted from the penalty spot to give them a lead heading into the second leg.

In the league, Atlético sit 9th with five wins, five draws, and three defeats. They’ll be hoping to bounce back in domestic action following last weekend’s loss to Bahia.

Prediction: 2-1

Sport Recife v Botafogo

20/07/2025 – Kick Off (21:30 GMT)

Sport Recife remain the only side in Brazil yet to win a game this season. They’ve played 12 matches, with zero wins, three draws, and nine defeats. Alarmingly, they’ve scored just five goals while conceding 20, a record that leaves them desperately needing to turn things around.

They already trail the survival spots by a staggering 11 points at this stage of the season, and things seem to be going from bad to worse each passing week. Last time out, they suffered a 2-0 defeat away to Juventude, with Gilberto netting both goals for the hosts.

Sport Recife need to find a spark and fast if they’re to have any chance of clawing their way out of danger.

Defending champions Botafogo sit in 6th place and have been in decent form of late. From their 13 league matches, they’ve won six, drawn four, and lost three.

Last time out, they were left frustrated in a 0-0 draw against Vitória, a game where they created several chances but just couldn’t find a breakthrough. They’ll be desperate to change that here as they take on a struggling Sport Recife side. It would be a real shock if they didn’t take something from this match.

Botafogo come into this fixture unbeaten in domestic competition since a 1-0 defeat to Capita in the Copa do Brasil, a scoreline that ultimately didn’t matter, as they progressed on aggregate.

Prediction: 0-2

Flamengo v Fluminense

20/07/2025 – Kick Off (23:30 GMT)

It’s the latest chapter of the historic Flamengo–Fluminense rivalry, known as the Fla-Flu derby. The last time these two sides met was in the Campeonato Carioca final, where Flamengo secured a 2-1 aggregate victory over two legs to lift the state championship.

After a commanding 2-0 win over São Paulo, Flamengo were brought back down to earth in midweek with a 1-0 defeat to Santos. Neymar’s late second-half goal sealed the victory for Peixe.

The result saw Flamengo slip off the top of the table, dropping to second place, three points behind leaders Cruzeiro. However, they do have a game in hand. From their 13 league matches, they’ve won eight, drawn three, and lost two.

They’ll be eager to bounce back quickly, and there would be no better way than to do it in a Fla-Flu derby against their old rivals.

Fluminense will also be hoping for a turnaround in form after suffering back-to-back defeats in all competitions. Following their 2-0 loss to Chelsea in the Club World Cup, they returned to Brasileirão action only to fall 2-0 at home to Cruzeiro, conceding both goals in the first half.

That result leaves Fluminense sitting in 8th place with six wins, two draws, and four defeats from their 12 matches. They are level on 20 points with Flamengo, adding extra spice to this fixture.

Prediction: 1-1