In regards, to cuts, let me take a look at this from a conservative angle (assuming Vlad is just a boss, the Beavers are together, and GIR is still part of Zim's moveset). We have 18 100% officially confirmed characters, 1 heavily likely returning (Hugh) and 7 truly new fighters. That makes a total of 26, one more than the ending roster of the original. In order to meet the "more characters" quota, again being conservative, I'd expect roughly 32 to be a reasonable size. That means of the 10 remaining fighters, 6 could still be returning for the base roster. And as much as some people don't like the idea, it's still possible some vets could return as DLC. Other fighting games do it, Smash has done it, I guarantee Rivals of Aether 2 will do it, it's not the end of the world. So there 100% could be a reality where most of the previous game's roster returns in base.
For the sake of argument, let's say the entire roster returns, Beavers are still one, Vlad's still not playable, GIR is still a move. Now we have 36. Still smaller than Brawl's roster. The DLC would make a nice even 40 with 15 of them being all new. Would be nice.
Then let's go the extra mile, and say Dag and Norb are seperate, Vlad's playable, and GIR is seperate. We end on 43. Still imo pretty reasonable after DLC I'd reckon.
At the very least, I expect no less than 32, with no more than 4 cuts, and I'd expect some of them to return as DLC... especially with a second season (Buy the game, buy the DLC ya'll.)