Cruzeiro v Santos: strugglers seek lift-off in Brasileirão | OneFootball

Cruzeiro host Santos in the Brasileirão on Sunday, 22 March 2026 at Estádio Governador Magalhães Pinto in Belo Horizonte, with both aiming to climb away from the lower reaches after slow starts.

Cruzeiro face Santos with recent head-to-head momentum on the visitors' side: Santos won both league meetings in 2025, including a 3-0 home victory in December.

Cruzeiro are winless in the league, drawing with Mirassol, Corinthians and Vasco da Gama and losing at Flamengo and Athletico Paranaense. They have scored eight and conceded 16 across seven games, so tightening the defence is paramount. Peixe have one win in five, with draws against Mirassol and Corinthians bookended by defeats to Athletico Paranaense and Internacional.

Raposa are without Cassius, Lucas Romero, Gerson, Bruno Rodrigues, Luis Sinisterra, Kaio Jorge, João Marcelo and Marquinhos through injury, which reduces their attacking options. Alvinegro Praiano are missing Zé Rafael, Gabriel Bontempo and Vinicius Lira.

With Cruzeiro's goals against tally and Peixe's run of narrow scorelines, the game could be decided by fine margins. The hosts may prioritise balance at the back, while the visitors could look to strike when spaces open.

A win would take Cruzeiro to six points and could pull them towards safety from the relegation places. Victory for Peixe would move them to nine and may create breathing space above the drop zone. A draw would keep both looking over their shoulders.