Cruzeiro vs. Vitória – News and Probable Lineups

Cruzeiro, sitting at the bottom of the Brasileirao table, is still in search of its first victory in Série A, aiming to change that on Wednesday as they welcome Vitória to the Mineirão at BST.

This match will also see Artur Jorge make his managerial debut with the Raposa, raising hopes for an immediate turnaround in their form.

Meanwhile, Vitória arrive with improved morale after achieving a home victory in the previous round, looking to build on their recovery in the league while securing more points on the road.

The encounter presents a Cruzeiro side under pressure against a Vitória team eager to gain momentum at the national level.

Match overview

Cruzeiro started the 2026 season positively by winning the Campeonato Mineiro, ending a six-year wait for a state title with a win against Atletico Mineiro in the final.

Although this result brought renewed confidence and raised expectations for the rest of the year, their performances in the Brasileirao have failed to meet those anticipations.

Their opening fixture resulted in a disheartening 4-0 loss to Botafogo, and the ongoing poor results have increased pressure on the club as they remained at the bottom after eight rounds, without a win, having drawn four and lost four.

After a defeat to Athletico Paranaense on March 18, Tite was dismissed as head coach and the board acted swiftly to appoint Artur Jorge, a prominent figure in Brazilian football.

Wednesday’s encounter marks the inaugural game for the Portuguese coach at the helm of Cruzeiro, having previously led Botafogo in 2024, guiding them to success in both the Copa Libertadores and the Brasileirao title.

The club is also faced with a challenging string of fixtures in the weeks ahead, as they prepare to face both Vitória and São Paulo in the league before their Copa Libertadores debut against Barcelona de Guayaquil away on April 7.

This season, across all competitions, they have achieved eight wins, four draws, and seven defeats, with a win rate of 42 percent, having conceded 16 goals, making it one of the weakest defensive records in Serie A.

In comparison, Vitória has had a notably more stable start to the Brasileirao, currently in 10th place after seven matches with three wins, one draw, and three losses, having tallied eight goals and conceded ten.

The visitors also have a game in hand after their fixture against Botafogo was postponed and come into the match with two wins from their last three outings.

Vitória will certainly see this trip to Cruzeiro as an excellent opportunity to continue climbing the table, with a victory potentially propelling them to seventh place.

During the entire 2026 season, Vitória has also been balancing several competitions, falling short in the state championship but still being active across multiple fronts, including the Copa do Nordeste.

In total, they have played 20 matches this year, recording eight wins, six draws, and six defeats.

Their attack has netted 28 goals while their defence has conceded 21, and over their last five matches, Vitória has secured three wins and suffered two losses, indicating a positive recent form.

Team News

Cruzeiro will be missing several key players for this fixture, with goalkeeper Cassio remaining unavailable following knee surgery, while Bruno Rodrigues, Sinisterra, and Marquinhos are all continuing their recoveries in the treatment room.

On a brighter note, the club could potentially welcome back a significant attacker in the form of striker Kaio Jorge, who has returned to training at the Toca da Raposa and is expected to be available for Artur Jorge’s first game in charge.

The centre-forward, who missed the last four matches due to a foot injury, could provide a much-needed option in attack.

Vitória, however, faces a number of absences as Dudu is ruled out with a back issue that may require surgery, while defender Edu is expected to be sidelined for an extended period due to a severe Achilles tendon injury.

Marinho is undergoing treatment for a muscular injury in the back of his thigh, and Pedro Henrique is recovering from an elbow problem.

Ruben Ismael is also out due to a knee ligament injury, and Claudinho remains a doubt because of his own knee issue.

Consequently, Vitória heads into the match considerably weakened and will likely need to adjust their squad accordingly.

Cruzeiro probable starting XI:

Matheus Cunha; William, Fabricio Bruno, Villalba, Kaiki; Lucas Romero, Gerson, Matheus Pereira; Christian, Kaio Jorge, Neyser Villarreal

Vitoria probable starting XI:

Lucas Archangel; Nathan, Camutanga, Cacá, Ramon; Emmanuel Martínez, Baralhas, Aitor Cantalapiedra; Erick, Renato Kayzer, Matheuzinho

Cruzeiro has yet to secure a victory in the 2026 Brasileirao and remains at the bottom; however, the appointment of Artur Jorge could elevate the spirits within the squad.

Playing at the Mineirão, along with the returns of Kaio Jorge and Lucas Romero, the Raposa has the necessary tools to be more aggressive and threatening than in previous rounds.

On the other hand, Vitória enters the match with 10 points and in a more favorable position, but they are contending with serious issues, as they lack five confirmed players and have another doubt ahead of the game.

This level of disruption will likely make the visitors more cautious away from home, which may play into the hands of the hosts as they strive to impress their supporters.