Cruzeiro Mineiro — Fortaleza-CE : Match Preview and Prediction for October 19,2025
🎁 120% first deposit bonus up to 400 USD
- Site: 1xbet.com
- License: Curaçao
- Customer service:
- Promo: -
- Minimum deposit: 1$
- Minimum withdrawal: 1$
- iOS:
- Android:
- Licensed by Curaçao Gaming Control Board
- Partnerships with major sports organizations
- 120% bonus on deposit up to 400 USD
- Over 40 sports available for betting including esports
🎁 First deposit bonus €10,000 + 400 RG + 150 FB
- Site: mostbet.com
- License: Curaçao
- Customer service:
- Promo: -
- Minimum deposit: 1€
- Minimum withdrawal: 1€
- iOS:
- Android:
- Licensed in Curaçao and established in 2009 under StarBet N.V.
- Four different registration methods (email, phone, social media, one-click)
- Comprehensive sports coverage with live betting and real-time odds
- 24/7 customer support with multiple contact channels
⚽ 100% bonus up to 122 EUR
🎰 100% bonus up to 300 EUR
- Site: 22bet.com
- License: Curaçao
- Customer service:
- Promo: -
- Minimum deposit: 1€
- Minimum withdrawal: 1€
- iOS:
- Android:
- Licensed in Curaçao (license number 8048/JAZ2017-067)
- Over 1500 football betting markets available
- Welcome bonus 100% up to 122 EUR with 5x wagering requirement
🎁 +500% deposit bonus
- Site: 1win.com
- License: Curaçao
- Customer service:
- Promo: -
- Minimum deposit: 1$
- Minimum withdrawal: 1$
- iOS:
- Android:
- Official partnerships with major sports organizations
- Welcome bonus up to 500% on first four deposits
- Over 40 sports available for betting plus extensive casino games
- 24/7 customer support with multiple communication channels
Cruzeiro Mineiro
Cruzeiro’s Current Form: A Deceptive Third Place
Cruzeiro currently holds the third spot in the league table. However, this position is somewhat misleading, making it rather precarious to place heavy bets on the home side. The team has failed to secure a victory in their last four consecutive matches, registering one loss and three draws. Recent outcomes, such as a 1-1 draw in the derby against Atlético Mineiro and another 1-1 home draw with Sport Recife, clearly highlight their ongoing struggles.
Critical Player Absences for Cruzeiro
Cruzeiro’s troubles become even more apparent when examining their extensive list of unavailable players. The team will take to the field without its primary offensive weapon – the league’s top scorer, Kaio Jorge, who has notched 15 goals this season. His recent suspension isn’t just the loss of a key forward; it represents the disruption of the entire attacking system. He will be replaced by Gabigol, who, according to recent reports, is being given his “last chance” and is not a guaranteed starter.
Widespread Defensive and Goalkeeping Issues
But that’s not all. Due to concussion protocol, the team’s primary goalkeeper, Cássio, will miss the match, and the left flank of the defense has been left vulnerable due to Kaique’s suspension. Consequently, reserve keeper Léo Aragão will be in goal, and 17-year-old Kauã Prates will step into the defense. These are critical weaknesses across every line, which cannot be patched up without significant consequences. Cruzeiro’s defense in the second half of the season has been conceding an average of 1.3 expected goals (xG) per match. With the attack unable to compensate for this, how can one realistically expect any decisive victories?
League Standings
Injuries and Suspensions
- Injury Fagner Key Defender
16 matches played0 goals scoredJuly 31 sidelined14 matches missed - Suspension Kaique Key Defender41 matches played1 goal scoredOctober 16 sidelined0 matches missed
- Suspension Kaio Jorge Starting Forward37 matches played20 goals scoredOctober 16 sidelined0 matches missed
- Injury Matheus Henrique Rotational Midfielder27 matches played1 goal scoredOctober 6 sidelined1 match missed
- Injury Janderson Reserve Defender1 match played0 goals scoredMay 8 sidelined30 matches missed
- Injury Luis Sinisterra Reserve Forward5 matches played1 goal scoredOctober 6 sidelined1 match missed
Players Doubtful for the Match
- Injury Cássio Key Goalkeeper46 matches played0 goals scoredOctober 16 sidelined0 matches missed
Players Returned to Squad
- Injury Fabrício Bruno Key Defender43 matches played3 goals scoredOctober 14 sidelined1 match missed
Fortaleza-CE
Fortaleza’s Relegation Battle and Squad Concerns
Fortaleza is currently languishing in the relegation zone, occupying the 18th position. Indeed, they too are plagued by numerous squad issues. Suspensions have sidelined several key players, including Gastón Ávila, Benjamín Kuscevic, Adám Bareiro, and Deyverson. These are undoubtedly significant absences.
Fortaleza’s Relative Strength and Key Players
However, let’s look at the situation objectively. Cruzeiro’s losses appear far more critical at this moment. It’s one thing to be without a few rotational players, and quite another to be missing the league’s top scorer, the primary goalkeeper, and a crucial full-back. Fortaleza still has players capable of posing a serious threat: Juan Lucero, the team’s leading scorer this season, and the ever-dangerous Yago Pikachu, are both available.
Historical Head-to-Head Advantage
Furthermore, historically, Fortaleza has been an exceptionally challenging opponent for Cruzeiro, especially when playing away from home. Statistics don’t lie: Cruzeiro hasn’t managed to defeat Fortaleza on their home turf in Serie A since 2006. The last four encounters at Mineirão have resulted in two victories for Fortaleza and two draws. This historical trend cannot be overlooked, as it exerts immense psychological pressure on the home team.
League Standings
Injuries and Suspensions
- Suspension Benjamín Kuscevic Starting Defender34 matches played1 goal scoredOctober 16 sidelined0 matches missed
- Suspension Emanuel Brítez Starting Defender21 matches played1 goal scoredOctober 16 sidelined0 matches missed
- Suspension Gastón Ávila Starting Defender24 matches played0 goals scoredOctober 16 sidelined0 matches missed
- Injury Bruno Pacheco Rotational Defender23 matches played1 goal scoredSeptember 27 sidelined3 matches missed
- Suspension Adám Bareiro Rotational Forward14 matches played1 goal scoredOctober 16 sidelined0 matches missed
- Injury João Ricardo Rotational Goalkeeper35 matches played0 goals scoredSeptember 27 sidelined3 matches missed
- Suspension Deyverson Rotational Forward31 matches played5 goals scoredOctober 16 sidelined0 matches missed
- Suspension Pablo Roberto Reserve Midfielder2 matches played0 goals scoredOctober 16 sidelined0 matches missed
Players Doubtful for the Match
- Injury Allan Kardec Rotational Forward10 matches played0 goals scoredSeptember 13 sidelined5 matches missed
- Injury Tinga Rotational Defender24 matches played1 goal scoredSeptember 1 sidelined6 matches missed
- Injury Lucas Crispim Rotational Midfielder4 matches played1 goal scoredOctober 3 sidelined2 matches missed
- Injury Weverson Rotational Defender3 matches played0 goals scoredSeptember 1 sidelined6 matches missed
- Injury Lucca Prior Rotational Midfielder18 matches played2 goals scoredSeptember 27 sidelined3 matches missed
- Injury Benevenuto Reserve Defender0 matches played0 goals scoredAugust 23 sidelined7 matches missed
Players Returned to Squad
- Suspension Matheus Pereira Starting Midfielder14 matches played1 goal scoredOctober 6 sidelined1 match missed
Final Verdict and Betting Recommendation
After carefully weighing all the facts, I am confidently backing Fortaleza with a +1.5 handicap at an attractive odds of 1.59. Here’s why this is a rock-solid option. Cruzeiro is currently in a significant slump, having failed to win in four consecutive league rounds. More critically, they are facing a severe personnel crisis. The absence of the league’s top scorer, Kaio Jorge, alongside their primary goalkeeper Cássio and defender Kaique, is a devastating blow that would cripple any team hoping for a convincing victory.
Mark Thompson
