Gremio vs Cruzeiro - Friendlies Clubs

When Gremio and Cruzeiro clash at the home ground on July 12, 2026, the stakes extend well beyond a single result — this is a Friendlies Clubs fixture that carries real weight for both clubs. That coronation came from City's £116m summer signing Elliot Anderson - and has been hotly debated in the build-up to the Manchester derby Super Sunday showdown at Old Trafford, which you can watch live on Sky Sports.

The two sides arrive with plenty to prove, and the Friendlies Clubs contest at the home ground offers a chance to lay down a marker. Gremio will be keen to seize the initiative and build some momentum on home soil. The visitors will travel in the hope that a change of scene can spark a turnaround, whatever the form book says. Sky Sports columnist Laura Hunter analyses the big talking points from the first round of Women's Super League matches, bringing you closer to the key stories at the heart of the women's game.

Tactically, the contest promises a fascinating contrast. Gremio will look to impose their style on home soil, while Cruzeiro are likely to have ideas of their own about how to gain the upper hand. Tuesday's print edition of ABC, as relayed by Sport Witness, have claimed that Betis turned down a €50m approach from a wealthy non-Premier League club for Antony.

Game-changers are scattered across both line-ups, and the contest may well be decided by which side's match-winners deliver on the day. Discipline at the back and sharpness in front of goal will likely tilt the balance one way or the other. Watford sign former West Ham striker Michail Antonio after car crash incident.

Predictions are tricky when the sides are this evenly matched, and small margins — a moment of quality, a slice of luck — could decide it either way. Expect a tight, competitive affair that could easily end all square at 1-1. With the standings tight and form on the line, this is a fixture neither side will want to lose. The team currently most likely to win the 2026 WNBA Finals according to Opta.