Cruzeiro MG

vs

EC Bahia

Preview

Cruzeiro

• With 57 points from 33 games, Cruzeiro sit third in the Serie A 2026 table, one place and four points better off than Bahia in the race for the G-4 places.
• Artur Jorge's men have given the Brazilian topflight a more vertical identity and have played some excellent soccer as a result, with a compact press and quicker transitions propelling them up the table.
• Cruzeiro have won four of their last five matches and three in a row after back-to-back wins against Remo and Atlético-MG.
• Raposa have won nine, drawn four and lost three of their 16 home matches in Serie A 2026, a pretty solid platform to build from at the Mineirão.

Bahia

• Bahia are winless in their last two away games against Cruzeiro.
• Bahia have won two, drawn one and lost two of their last five, so they aren't in bad form coming into this game, although they only just edged out São Paulo 3-2 in their most recent outing.
• Rogério Ceni's team are a solid possession team with some wide options and can play on the front foot when they get the ball down and settle the game.
• EC Bahia have won six, drawn five and lost five on their travels in Serie A 2026, a decent record, but not one that suggests they will lock down the three points on Friday.

Head-to-Head

• Bahia are winless in their last two away games against Cruzeiro.
• They have also started fast in their previous two home games and face a team that they have dominated in recent times, so should be able to grab the victory on Friday.

Key Players

• Matheus Pereira has been Cruzeiro's creative hub, making the most of Artur Jorge's attacking freedom by setting up three of their ten goals in the last five games.
• Luciano Juba has been Bahia's main threat, scoring two of their five goals in the same period.

Betting Insights

• With Cruzeiro odds of 1.89, they are clear favorites, while Bahia's odds of 3.6 reflect their status as a solid side.
• Cruzeiro are simply a step above in all departments right now.

Prediction