Cruzeiro vs Flamengo preview

Brazil flag 2026 Serie A, Brazil
Estádio Governador Magalhães Pinto
Serie A
CruzeiroCRZ
FlamengoFLA
KICKOFF :
Round 24 Regular Season

CONTEXT

Cruzeiro welcome Flamengo to Estádio Governador Magalhães Pinto for a Serie A regular season clash in 2026. The visitors arrive as the stronger side on paper with a power score of 76.35 compared to the hosts 69.35. League positions show Cruzeiro in fifth while Flamengo sit second. Recent form gives Cruzeiro a narrow lead with a score of 30 against 27.33. Both teams will look to exploit transitions and set piece opportunities though detailed metrics remain limited. The match promises an intriguing battle between two sides with differing strengths and ambitions in the domestic standings.

TL;DR

  • Structural: Cruzeiro occupy fifth place domestically while Flamengo sit second in the Serie A table.
  • Form: Cruzeiro hold a narrow form advantage with a score of 30 over Flamengo's 27.33.
  • Squad: Flamengo are the stronger side with a power score of 76.35 against Cruzeiro's 69.35.
  • Efficiency: Detailed efficiency metrics are unavailable for either side ahead of the fixture.
  • Transition: Transition phase data is not provided in the available pre-match information.
  • Set pieces: Set piece analysis carries low confidence with no xG metrics currently available.
  • xVariable: Flamengo hold a seven point power advantage heading into the away encounter.
No standings statistics available.
No head-to-head records found.
0.5+ goals: 85%
1.5+ goals: 70%
2.5+ goals: 50%
3.5+ goals: 25%
Confidence: High (≥8 matches)

Quality vs Volume

Home: xG 1.8, Shots 12, xG/Shot 0.15
Away: xG 1.5, Shots 14, xG/Shot 0.11

Open Play vs Set Play

Open Play: 65%
Set Play: 35%

Expected Points

TeamxPts
Home1.8
Away1.2
ℹ️ Methodology: Expected Goals (xG) measures shot quality
Jan 25 vs Team A
Feb 1 vs Team B
Feb 8 vs Team C
Cruzeiro Artur Jorge
Artur Jorge
VS
Flamengo J. Nunes Alves Sousa Jardim
J. Nunes Alves Sousa Jardim
1.75
Avg Points / Game (Last 100 Matches)
2.1
2.17 i
Last 6 Opponents
Corinthians Rank: 68 W
Mirassol Rank: 66 W
Coritiba Rank: 63 W
Botafogo Rank: 66 L
Internacional Rank: 63 W
Fluminense Rank: 68 D
Avg Points / Game (Last 6 Matches)
2.33 i
Last 6 Opponents
Mirassol Rank: 64 W
Vitória Rank: 62 W
Internacional Rank: 63 D
São Paulo Rank: 63 D
Chapecoense Rank: 52 W
Coritiba Rank: 59 W
1
Head to Head (Wins - Draws - Losses)
1 - 1 - 3
3
No sidelined player data available.

Team Power Ranking

i
What is Power Ranking?
Power ranking is SportMonks' model-based team strength indicator. Historical input capped to 2 seasons.
69.35
76.35
0 (Weakest) 100 (Strongest)
Metric
Cruzeiro
Flamengo
Power Score
69.35
76.35
League Position
5
2
Global Rank
272
119

Form Analysis Opponent-Weighted

Line chart of recent results (points/trend). Friendlies excluded by default. Hover for opponent, result, xG/xGA and power ranking — based on last 6 matches.

–
vs
Cruzeiro — Opponent-weighted form score
Flamengo — Opponent-weighted form score
Win (3 pts) Draw (1 pt) Loss (0 pts) Cruzeiro Flamengo

Team Head to Head Last 6 Seasons

Summary of 5 matches between these sides — filtered by competition and venue context.

Cruzeiro CRZ Home
5 matches
Flamengo FLA Away
Match Record
1
Wins
3
1
Draws
1
3
Losses
1
Goals
3
Goals Scored
6
6
Goals Conceded
3
-3
Goal Difference
+3
Expected Goals
0
xG
0
0
xGA
0

Data last updated: 2026-08-22T21:30:56+00:00

STARTING XI

Match Formation 4-2-3-1
Match Formation 4-2-3-1
Pitch

General Information

Date & Time
Competition
2026 Serie A, Brazil · Round 24 · Regular Season
Stadium
Estádio Governador Magalhães Pinto
Capacity
62170
Pitch Surface
Grass
Weather
☀️ 12°C, Fair
Referees
Rodrigo José Pereira de Lima
Danilo Ricardo Simon Manis
Nailton Oliveira
Paulo Roberto Alves Júnior

Lineup

Referee : Rodrigo José Pereira de Lima

Starting XI ▼

81
Otávio Costa
Otávio Costa Goalkeeper
6.65
15
Fabrício Bruno
Fabrício Bruno Defender
6.91
23
Fagner
Fagner Defender
6.82
25
Lucas Villalba
Lucas Villalba Defender
6.59
43
João Marcelo
João Marcelo Defender
6.85
7
Matheus Henrique
Matheus Henrique Midfielder
6.66
8
Gerson
Gerson Midfielder
6.98
10
Matheus Pereira
Matheus Pereira Midfielder
7.41
99
Keny Arroyo
Keny Arroyo Midfielder
6.88
70
Kaique Kenji
Kaique Kenji Attacker
6.71
97
Luciano Rodríguez
Luciano Rodríguez Attacker
6.69
Referee : Rodrigo José Pereira de Lima

Starting XI ▼

1
Agustín Rossi
Agustín Rossi Goalkeeper
6.98
2
Guillermo Varela
Guillermo Varela Defender
6.96
3
Léo Ortiz
Léo Ortiz Defender
6.98
6
Ayrton Lucas
Ayrton Lucas Defender
6.8
13
Danilo
Danilo Defender
6.76
5
Erick Pulgar
Erick Pulgar Midfielder
6.9
7
Luiz Araújo
Luiz Araújo Midfielder
7.02
15
Jorge Carrascal
Jorge Carrascal Midfielder
7.08
16
Samuel Lino
Samuel Lino Midfielder
7.19
20
Lucas Paquetá
Lucas Paquetá Midfielder
7.16
9
Pedro
Pedro Attacker
7.39

CONCLUSION

Flamengo will carry the slight edge into this fixture given their superior power rating and higher league standing. Cruzeiro can draw confidence from their marginally better form score and home support at the venue. Both teams face challenges in converting limited data on efficiency and set pieces into clear advantages. The contest may hinge on how effectively each side manages transitions and defensive organisation. Flamengo's overall squad strength suggests they are well placed to challenge for points on the road. Cruzeiro will need a disciplined performance to secure a positive result against their higher ranked opponents.