Athletico Paranaense vs Cruzeiro Prediction, Betting Tips, Lineups & Odds | 18 Mar 2026

Série A Betting Preview: Athletico Paranaense vs Cruzeiro

Athletico Paranaense meet Cruzeiro, with kick-off set for 17:30 on Wednesday 18 March.

We think Athletico Paranaense are a good bet at 0.0 on the Asian Handicap when they play Cruzeiro. This selection makes appeal at odds of -133, with money back if the contest ends in a draw.

Athletico Paranaense were beaten last game and this was on the road. Fluminense claimed a 3-2 victory. The Curitiba team ended up with just 24% possession and had two shots on target, with Stiven Mendoza and Luiz Gustavo each scoring one goal.

Cruzeiro played out a 3-3 draw against Vasco da Gama in their previous game, with this being at home. The Foxes boasted 59% possession and had six shots on goal, while Christian Cardoso, %player2_goals_name% and Japa were all on target.

Head-to-Head Statistics

Athletico succeeded 3-0 at home when they last faced Cruzeiro. In the 6 previous H2H games, there have been three draws, two Athletico wins and a victory for Cruzeiro.

Série A		G	W	D	L	GF	GA	GD	GD	P
5	Athletico PR	13	7	1	5	20	15	5	20:15	22
12	Cruzeiro	13	4	4	5	17	21	-4	17:21	16

View Full Table

Athletico have 2 wins, 2 losses and 1 draw, averaging 1.2 goals from 4.0 shots on goal and 9.0 attempts. The Hurricane have averaged 45.8% possession and 5.0 corners per match, with the opposition scoring 1.2 goals from 5.0 shots on goal, 8.4 attempts and 4.8 corners.

Stiven Mendoza and Julimar are the leading goalscorers with 2, while Luiz Gustavo has 1. Lucas Esquivel has made the most assists with 2.

Cruzeiro have 1 victory, 4 defeats and 5 draws, averaging 10.0 attempts, 4.4 shots on goal and 1.3 goals. Tite's men average 52.4% possession, 5.7 corners awarded and 4.9 corners against them, while 2.0 goals have been conceded from 5.0 shots on goal and 9.7 attempts.

Matheus Pereira and Kaio Jorge have top scored with 3, while Christian Cardoso is next on 2. Lucas Daniel Romero has managed to clock up 2 assists in the last 10 games.

Confirmed Lineups

Athletico Paranaense confirmed lineup (4-4-2): Aderbar Santos (GK), Juan Aguirre, Arthur Dias, Lucas Esquivel, Gaston Americo Benavidez, Juan Camilo Portilla, Luiz Gustavo, Stiven Mendoza, Julimar, Dudu, Kevin Viveros.

Cruzeiro confirmed lineup (4-2-3-1): Matheus Cunha (GK), William, Fabricio Bruno, Lucas Villalba, Kaiki, Lucas Silva, Matheus Henrique, Christian Cardoso, Japa, Neyser Villarreal, Keny Arroyo.

Athletico Paranaense vs Cruzeiro Prediction & Betting Tips

We dive into the top Athletico Paranaense vs Cruzeiro betting angles, including our main match prediction, correct score play, standout player prop picks and a bet builder tailored for value.

Match Prediction

Athletico Paranaense are available at odds of -133 and that can be taken with confidence when it comes to Asian Handicap 0.0 for this Série A game. We believe the home team can claim a victory.

We’re always monitoring the Série A team news. Combined with the latest form, this helps us secure the best value. Our football experts also take a data-led approach, with the key numbers proving useful.

Key Athletico Paranaense vs Cruzeiro league stats:

• The 0.0 line hasn’t been covered by Cruzeiro in any of their last 5 games.
• The 0.0 line hasn’t been covered by Cruzeiro in 9 of their last 10 games.
• The 0.0 line hasn’t been covered by Cruzeiro in 5 of their last 6 games against Athletico PR.

Based on the latest odds from the top bookmakers, our pick carries a 57.1% chance of winning. However, we have this number between 60-65% based on our in-depth research. It’s the reason why we are recommending this bet.

If you want to land a big potential return from a small stake, then a Bet Builder could be the way to go. Back Athletico to cover the line in a combination with other selections.

Don’t place a bet without checking our guide full of top-tier betting offers, from free bets to welcome bonus incentives.

Our Match Prediction

Athletico PR Asian Hcp 0.0 @ -133 Bet Now

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Disclosure: This preview contains affiliate links; we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you. T&Cs apply. We only recommend licensed and regulated operators. See our Editorial Policy. Pick odds and lines reflect the price available at the time of publication (Mar 16, 23:58). Live market odds are updated regularly and may differ. 18+ (or legal age) | Gamble Responsibly.

Correct Score Prediction

Athletico 1 - 0 Cruzeiro

We’ve picked out a correct score of 1-0 being landed by Athletico. You can secure odds of +540 and this provides an alternative way to place a wager.

Player Prop Picks

Top Pick: Stiven Mendoza to Score +330

Stiven Mendoza (Athletico PR) has scored two goals in his past five Série A games. He looks like an attractive wager to be on the scoresheet and you’re able to back this Anytime Goalscorer selection at odds of +330.

Latest Stiven Mendoza Player Prop Odds

Goalscorer

Anytime

+300

First

+750

Shots

Over 2.5

+132

Under 2.5

-

Pick odds and lines correct at publication. Live market odds are updated regularly and may differ. T&Cs apply. 18+ (or legal age) | Gamble Responsibly.

Athletico Paranaense vs Cruzeiro Odds

The odds and lines below are updated regularly and may differ from the prices shown in our picks, which are captured at the time of publication.

The Full-Time Result odds of +120 suggest that Athletico Paranaense are likely victors and there’s a 45% probability that the favourites win this Série A clash. Cruzeiro are the underdogs at +230 which implies a lesser percentage prospect of winning.

You can take advantage of the Half-Time Result market if you think a team will lead at the break. There's the chance to back Athletico at +180, go for Cruzeiro at +280 or take the draw at +114.

The Total Goals price implies that Under 2.5 is the most likely result in this contest. For those expecting both sides to find the net, Both Teams to Score Yes is available at -132.

The top football betting sites cover Série A matches in serious depth and there are hundreds of markets. We recommend scanning through the various bets before picking out the best angle.

Full-Time Result

1

+120

X

+225

2

+230

Half-Time Result

1

+180

X

+114

2

+280

Double Chance

1X

-313

12

-313

X2

-156

Draw No Bet

1

-185

2

+125

Asian Handicap

1 Hcp -0.25

-112

2 Hcp +0.25

-111

Total Goals

Under 2.5

-137

Over 2.5

+107

Both Teams to Score

Yes

-132

No

-105

Kaio Jorge is favourite to be First Goalscorer at +370 and if you’re keen to back him to simply find the net, then the price is +150.

Kaio Jorge (Cruzeiro)

First

+150

Anytime

+370

Kevin Viveros (Athletico PR)

First

+165

Anytime

+400

Gonzalo Mastriani (Athletico PR)

First

+250

Anytime

+600

Francisco Da Costa (Cruzeiro)

First

+300

Anytime

+750

Stiven Mendoza (Athletico PR)

First

+300

Anytime

+750

Julimar Junior (Athletico PR)

First

+350

Anytime

+850

Matheus Pereira (Cruzeiro)

First

+390

Anytime

+900

Isaac Lima (Athletico PR)

First

+450

Anytime

+1100

Bruno Zapelli (Athletico PR)

First

+525

Anytime

+1300

Keny Arroyo (Cruzeiro)

First

+525

Anytime

+1300

Bruno Rafael Rodrigues (Cruzeiro)

First

+600

Anytime

+1500

Vitor Hugo Amorim de Assis (Cruzeiro)

First

+650

Anytime

+1600

João Melo de Oliveira "Japa" (Cruzeiro)

First

+650

Anytime

+1500

Juan Camilo Portilla (Athletico PR)

First

+650

Anytime

+1600

Christian Roberto Cardoso (Cruzeiro)

First

+700

Anytime

+1700

Jádson Alves (Athletico PR)

First

+700

Anytime

+1700

João Victor Machado Cruz (Athletico PR)

First

+750

Anytime

+1900

Matheus Henrique (Cruzeiro)

First

+800

Anytime

+1800

Luiz Gustavo (Athletico PR)

First

+800

Anytime

+2000

Alejandro Garcia (Athletico PR)

First

+800

Anytime

+2000

Wanderson Sousa Campos (Cruzeiro)

First

+850

Anytime

+2000

Lucas Esquivel (Athletico PR)

First

+850

Anytime

+2000

Kevin Viveros (Athletico PR)

Over 3.5

-110

Under 3.5

-

Stiven Mendoza (Athletico PR)

Over 2.5

+132

Under 2.5

-

Francisco Da Costa (Cruzeiro)

Over 2.5

+120

Under 2.5

-

Julimar Junior (Athletico PR)

Over 1.5

-147

Under 1.5

-

Matheus Pereira (Cruzeiro)

Over 1.5

-149

Under 1.5

-

Isaac Lima (Athletico PR)

Over 1.5

+125

Under 1.5

-

Bruno Zapelli (Athletico PR)

Over 1.5

-105

Under 1.5

-

Keny Arroyo (Cruzeiro)

Over 1.5

+138

Under 1.5

-

Matheus Henrique (Cruzeiro)

Over 0.5

-175

Under 0.5

-

Wanderson Sousa Campos (Cruzeiro)

Over 0.5

-185

Under 0.5

-

Alejandro Garcia (Athletico PR)

Over 0.5

-141

Under 0.5

-

Luiz Gustavo (Athletico PR)

Over 0.5

-127

Under 0.5

-

João Melo de Oliveira "Japa" (Cruzeiro)

Over 0.5

-244

Under 0.5

-

João Victor Machado Cruz (Athletico PR)

Over 0.5

-154

Under 0.5

-

Jádson Alves (Athletico PR)

Over 0.5

-161

Under 0.5

-

Christian Roberto Cardoso (Cruzeiro)

Over 0.5

-204

Under 0.5

-

Juan Camilo Portilla (Athletico PR)

Over 0.5

-213

Under 0.5

-

Vitor Hugo Amorim de Assis (Cruzeiro)

Over 0.5

-213

Under 0.5

-

Lucas Esquivel (Athletico PR)

Over 0.5

-103

Under 0.5

-

Athletico Paranaense vs Cruzeiro Lineups & Team News

Stay informed and review the Athletico vs Cruzeiro team news before placing your bets. Stay informed with our predicted and confirmed Série A lineups and the latest injury reports.

Athletico Paranaense Team Page Cruzeiro Team Page

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