Cruzeiro vs U. Catolica prediction 15.04.2026 | Copa Libertadores

After the third position in Serie A last season, Cruzeiro expected a similar 2026. However, after 11 league rounds in the current campaign, the team from Belo Horizonte is in the relegation zone with one point fewer than safety. Cruzeiro started playing better recently, with three victories in the last four matches, including all three points in the Copa Libertadores opening round last week. In the most recent outing, Artur Jorge's team won 2-1 at home against Bragantino. The hosts ended with xG of 2.04, while the guests had 0.60, so anything other than Cruzeiro would be completely unfair.

Cruzeiro's head coach, Artur Jorge, was pleased after three points against Bragantino. "We played a very solid game, a completely fair result, with no room for doubt", commented Jorge after the match. He also added that his team suffered in the second half when the opponent pushed for the goal, but they were brave and worked hard to get the result.

Luis Sinisterra, Cassio, and Marquinhos are injured and will not play in the upcoming Copa Libertadores tie. Also, Lucas Romero is questionable.

After four seasons without a title in the domestic football league, U. Catolica's priority is success in Liga de Primera. After nine league rounds, Daniel Garnero's team is third in the standings, with one point fewer than Boca Juniors. U. Catolica played well recently, with three wins and one defeat in the last four matches across all competitions. In the previous game, they won 4-3 on the road against Audax Italiano. Although the guests had many better goal-scoring opportunities, they eventually needed a goal late in the second half to secure all three points.

The game against Audax Italiano was far from perfect, but U. Catolica's head coach, Daniel Garnero, was still satisfied. He said, "Our idea is to try to take the initiative, to go on the attack, to open the scoring so we can play with more composure, with better positioning, but we're struggling. But as long as the team reacts, goes on the attack, is intelligent, doesn't give up, and turns the results around, this victory is very good for us."

Agustin Farias and Nicolas L'Huillier are questionable, and their statuses will be clearer closer to the kickoff.