Palmeiras vs. Cruzeiro – News and Probable Lineups

On Matchday 16 of the Brasileirao 2026, Palmeiras will host Cruzeiro at Arena Barueri in a matchup featuring two teams with good form, both entering the match with positivity after recent successes in the Copa do Brasil.

Currently, Palmeiras tops the Brasileirao standings and boasts the best home record in the league, while 11th-placed Cruzeiro has rejuvenated their campaign in recent fixtures, aiming to maintain their upward momentum under head coach Artur Jorge. Meanwhile, the hosts remain unbeaten at home for an extended period.

Match overview

Palmeiras leads the 2026 Brasileirão with 34 points, enjoying a four-point lead over Clube de Regatas do Flamengo, having achieved a Serie A unbeaten streak of 10 matches, while also maintaining a perfect record of six home victories.

Palmeiras’ recent match against Clube do Remo at the Mangueirao ended in a 1-1 draw, interrupting their four-game winning streak but not significantly affecting their strong form. Abel Ferreira’s side has lost just once in their last 17 fixtures in the Brasileirao, recording 12 wins and four draws while allowing only 10 goals— the fewest in the division.

Saturday’s match kicks off at 1:00am BST on Sunday, May 17, at Arena Barueri, which has become a stronghold for Palmeiras, who have not lost at home in over 20 games across all competitions. Cruzeiro, on the other hand, has not secured an away win against Palmeiras in Serie A since 2014.

This game will also see the return of Abel Ferreira to the dugout after serving a seven-match suspension from the STJD. During his absence, assistant coach Joao Martins led the team to four wins and two draws, demonstrating their consistency.

Under Artur Jorge, Cruzeiro arrives in Barueri experiencing one of their best periods this season, boasting a 67% win rate since he took charge. The Minas Gerais side has won four of their last five Brasileirao matches and currently sits 11th with 19 points, thanks to impressive away wins against Remo and Esporte Clube Bahia.

The visitors have shown notable progress in the attacking department, thanks to the contributions of Matheus Pereira, Gerson, and Kaio Jorge, who is leading the team in key passes per match, while Kaio Jorge has scored nine goals this season across all competitions and Christian is the top scorer for Cruzeiro in the Brasileirao with five goals.

Cruzeiro is managing commitments across the Copa Libertadores, Copa do Brasil, and Brasileirao, which places a significant physical and emotional burden on Artur Jorge’s squad. However, their current standing of second in Libertadores Group D with seven points and advancing past Goias Esporte Clube in the Copa do Brasil has uplifted morale within the team.

This encounter brings together two clubs with divergent aspirations: Palmeiras aims to fortify their position at the top and assert their title credentials, while Cruzeiro seeks to continue their revival and demonstrate their capacity to compete consistently with the league’s top teams.

Team News

Palmeiras will be without several key players for the match against Cruzeiro. Allan is suspended due to accumulating yellow cards throughout 30 appearances this season, while Vitor Roque and Piquerez are still recovering from ankle surgeries.

Arthur and Bruno Fuchs are sidelined with thigh muscle injuries, while Andreas Pereira faces a late fitness test after sustaining a lower-back issue during the draw with Remo. Nevertheless, the return of Paulinho and the reinstatement of Abel Ferreira to the bench are positives for Palmeiras.

Cruzeiro’s major absentee is goalkeeper Cassio, who is continuing his recovery from a severe multi-ligament knee injury, with no confirmed timeline for his return. This means Otavio is expected to maintain his position in goal, while Matheus Henrique is also out due to a pulmonary contusion sustained against Bahia.

In addition, Walace and Kaua Prates will miss the match, adding to the injury challenges faced by Artur Jorge at this point in the season. Nevertheless, Cruzeiro travels with confidence following their progression in the Copa do Brasil and victory over Bahia, with Matheus Pereira remaining a crucial creative force for the team.

Palmeiras probable starting XI:

Miguel; Giay, Gomez, Murilo, Jefte; FREITAS, Evangelist; ARIAS, Mauricio, Sosa; Lopez

Cruzeiro probable starting XI:

Octavio; Fagner, Bruno, Jesus, Bruno; Romero, Gerson; Arroyo, Pereira, Kenji; George

Palmeiras enters this fixture having achieved an exceptional 30-match unbeaten streak at home and currently holds the best points-per-game record at this stage of a Brasileirao campaign. Even their recent draws have featured considerable attacking control under Abel Ferreira.

Cruzeiro, however, has displayed vulnerabilities away against top opponents, suffering heavy defeats in two of their last six league outings—losing 4-1 to Sao Paulo and 3-1 to Clube Atletico Mineiro—suggesting that Palmeiras may deliver another commanding performance at home.