Football Bet of the Day: Cruzeiro can cruise to victory over Botafogo

The Brazilian Serie A season is back in action after a lengthy break for the World Cup and there are seven games to choose from on Sunday night, including leaders Palmeiras hosting Atletico Mineiro and second-placed Flamengo entertaining Sao Paulo.

However, it's one of the other five games that's caught my eye in regards to the Football Bet of the Day - and that's Cruzeiro vs Botafogo.

Cruzeiro vs Botafogo Odds

Cruzeiro are favourites at 8/11 to register a home win, while Botafogo are available at 16/5, with the draw at 13/5.

Both teams to score is priced at 4/5, while over or under 2.5 goals can each be backed at 5/6.

Kaio Jorge of Cruzeiro is favourite to score the first goal of the game at 3/1 and is 1/1 to score at any time.

Cruzeiro to win & BTTS (vs Botafogo) @ 5/2

Cruzeiro made a rapid improvement after a slow start to the campaign in Brazil and can continue their progress with a home win over Botafogo on Sunday.

The Belo Horizonte-based club finished third in 2025, but they did not win any of their first eight games this season, after which they were struggling in 20th place.

They have got their act together since then, however, winning six and drawing two of their last nine games to climb to eighth place and they can again set their sights on qualifying for the Copa Libertadores with a top-five finish.

Their only defeat in that run was a 3-1 loss to Atletico Mineiro in early May, and that was a highly charged derby match which they ended with only nine men.

Cruzeiro suffered a blow in their first game back after the World Cup when $12m signing Gabriel Pec sustained broken leg in his debut after joining from MLS side LA Galaxy, but his teammates were able to beat Internacional 2-1 and Argentinian left-back Gabriel Rojas slotted into the side well.

Botafogo have taken four points from two home games since returning to action, but their problems have been at the back, as they have the worst defensive record of the top 20 teams in the table.

A goalless draw with Vitoria in their midweek match was their first clean sheet for five games and with both teams having scored in Cruzeiro's last six matches, taking the hosts to win a match that sees goals by both sides looks a solid betting option.

Click the link for all the latest Football Odds