Cruzeiro vs Chapecoense – News and Probable Lineups

Cruzeiro aims to build on their strong revival under Artur Jorge as they host a struggling Chapecoense at Mineirao for their Sunday fixture in the Brasileiro Serie A.

The home side has made notable progress up the league table in recent weeks and currently finds themselves in 13th place with 20 points from 16 matches, while the visitors remain at the bottom of the table following a challenging return to the top tier of Brazilian football.

Match overview

Since Artur Jorge took over earlier in the season, there has been a remarkable turnaround at Cruzeiro – prior to the Portuguese manager’s arrival, the Belo Horizonte club had only managed four points from their first eight league fixtures and were perilously close to relegation.

Since his arrival, Cruzeiro has secured 15 points across seven rounds of the Brasileiro, marking one of the best performances in the league during this period. Overall, Jorge has overseen eight victories, two draws, and three defeats in 13 matches, restoring confidence at the club as they approach a pivotal moment in their season.

The team’s tactical evolution has been particularly evident in their offensive play, with Cruzeiro now employing a more structured collective approach rather than relying on individual brilliance. In fact, 11 of their last 14 goals have come directly from assists, and defensively, they have grown more compact and difficult to penetrate.

During this resurgence, Mineirao has once again become a fortress, as Cruzeiro has won five of their seven home games under Jorge, and the atmosphere is anticipated to be electrifying as they prepare for an important Libertadores clash against Barcelona SC later this week.

Chapecoense arrives in Minas Gerais facing a starkly different scenario – after gaining promotion from Serie B in 2025, the club has struggled to meet the demands of returning to the top division.

The visitors have secured just one league win throughout the entire season and currently hold one of the league’s weakest defensive records – they have suffered heavy defeats to stronger teams, including a 4-0 loss to Atletico Mineiro earlier in the campaign, which ultimately resulted in Gilmar Dal Pozzo’s dismissal.

Fabio Matias has since been working to stabilize both the tactical setup and the mental state of the squad, but consistent performances have been hard to come by – they faced a defeat against Remo last round and have not gained any significant momentum in recent weeks.

Despite their struggles this season, the historical head-to-head record between these teams is more balanced than one might expect – in 21 past encounters, Cruzeiro has emerged victorious nine times, while Chapecoense has won six, with six fixtures ending in a draw.

However, the current form heavily favors the home side, especially considering that Cruzeiro has won four of their last six league games, while Chapecoense continues to face difficulties on the road.

Team News

Cruzeiro will be without suspended forward Keny Arroyo, who received his third yellow card against Palmeiras.

Jorge has multiple options available for the attack, including Bruno Rodrigues, Luis Sinisterra, Neiser Villareal, and Kaique Kenji.

The hosts will also be missing Cassio, Kaua Prates, and Matheus Henrique due to injuries, while William remains unavailable for personal reasons.

Chapecoense will also be making changes with midfielder Camilo suspended due to accumulated yellow cards.

Jean Carlos is likely to take over in the midfield as Fabio Matias maintains a three-man defensive setup.

Additionally, the visitors will continue to miss injured players Rafael Thyere and Robert, although Yannick Bolasie returns after serving a suspension, potentially providing a much-needed boost to their attack.

Cruzeiro probable starting XI:

Octavio; Fagner, Bruno, Jesus, Kaiki; Romero, Gerson; Pereira, Christian, Rodrigues; George

Chapecoense probable starting XI:

Anderson; Doma, Leonardo, Paulo; Vinicius, Pessoa, Carlos, Pacheco; Enio, Carvalheira; Marcinho

Cruzeiro appears transformed under Artur Jorge, and their confidence at Mineirao has surged significantly in recent weeks.

On the other hand, Chapecoense continues to struggle defensively and has found it extremely challenging to compete consistently against tougher opponents throughout the season.

Given the disparities in form, quality, and momentum, the hosts are expected to take control of the match and further their ascent up the league table.