Cruzeiro host Mirassol at the Mineirão on 9 August 2026 in round 22 of the Brasileirão Série A, with the table telling two very different stories. Seventh on 30 points from 21 games, Cruzeiro are within touching distance of the Copa Libertadores qualification places, whereas Mirassol sit 14th on 23 points, close enough to the drop zone to make this an uncomfortable trip north. The home side average 1.3 goals scored and 1.4 conceded per match, numbers that suggest a side capable of winning but not yet reliable at the back.
Artur Jorge took charge of Cruzeiro in March 2026 following Tite's dismissal and is contracted through at least the end of 2027, while Rafael Guanaes has managed Mirassol since March 2025 under a deal running until December 2026, with no meaningful head to head record between them yet to draw on.
Cruzeiro are without Gabriel Pec (tibia fracture), Luis Sinisterra (thigh) and Matheus Henrique (suspended), with Cássio carrying a minor concern over his availability, though the squad is deep enough to field a near full strength 4-2-3-1. Mirassol will be short of goalkeeper Walter and possibly Negueba, leaving Alex Muralha to start between the posts.
Under Jorge, Cruzeiro press aggressively at home with their full backs pushing high to overload wide areas. The central battle between Matheus Pereira's creativity and Mirassol's midfield block is likely to decide things, with Kaio Jorge's movement against João Victor and Gabriel Knesowitsch posing a separate problem for Guanaes's back line. Guanaes typically sets Mirassol up in a compact 4-2-3-1 or 4-3-3 and Fabrício Bruno will need to be attentive to Nathan Fogaça and Reinaldo on the break. The full back contest on Cruzeiro's right, where William or Fagner push high against Mirassol's left side threat, is where space may open up.
Cruzeiro are unbeaten in the last three Série A meetings between these sides, taking one win and two draws with an aggregate of roughly 5-4 in their favour, including a 2-2 draw in February 2026, a 1-1 stalemate and a 2-1 home win for Cruzeiro. The pattern of tight scorelines suggests the Mineirão is not the comfortable venue for Mirassol that the standings gap might imply.
Mirassol are dangerous from dead balls, their delivery and aerial presence capable of punishing any switch off from Cruzeiro at a corner or free kick and that threat will keep the home side honest. Kickoff falls between 14:00 and 16:00 UTC.
Cruzeiro 1-0 Mirassol. Matheus Pereira and Kaio Jorge should create enough between them to produce one decisive moment, though Nathan Fogaça and Reinaldo on the break mean this is unlikely to be straightforward. A goalless first half is entirely plausible before the home side find a way through.
Ryan Baldi
Football Writer
Ryan Baldi is a professional football writer with years of experience and has been featured by respected outlets such as the BBC, The Guardian, Sky Sports, DAZN, FourFourTwo, ESPN, Yahoo Sport and Football365. He has also written several books including Arsène Who?.
