An electrifying all-Brazilian showdown awaits as fierce rivals Botafogo and São Paulo face off at Estádio Nilton Santos for the first leg of their Copa Libertadores quarter-final on Thursday morning. Both teams are in scintillating form, making this an exciting clash between two skilled adversaries.
Botafogo have been the talk of the season, continuing their remarkable rise by not only reaching the top eight of South America’s premier tournament but also dominating the domestic league. Their impressive run saw them eliminate the defending champions Palmeiras in the round of 16, a feat that has only fueled their momentum.
On the other side, São Paulo have also shone brightly in this year’s competition. They topped Group B with a strong 13-point haul, winning four of their six group-stage matches. After dispatching Uruguay’s Nacional in the previous round, São Paulo arrive with confidence and a desire to spoil Botafogo’s party.
Both teams are flying high, making this quarter-final a highly anticipated contest between two ambitious squads. Expect a hard-fought battle as these Brasileiro giants go head-to-head for a spot in the semi-finals.
Botafogo's remarkable season continues as they lead the charge in their domestic league, showcasing impressive growth year after year.
A major factor behind their success under the guidance of former Braga coach Artur Jorge has been their lethal attack, racking up 45 goals in the Brasileiro – the highest tally in the division this season.
In the Copa Libertadores, Botafogo have relied heavily on Junior Santos, who has been sensational with nine goals in just 12 games. Notably, he netted four in a single match against Aurora during the qualifiers. Unfortunately, a broken ankle sustained in July has sidelined Santos, and he’s likely to miss the rest of the season.
In addition to Santos, Botafogo could be without as many as seven key players, including Carlos Eduardo, who is also expected to miss the remainder of the campaign due to a thigh injury.
BOTAFOGO predicted lineup vs SAO PAULO: Victor (GK); Ponte, Bastos, Barboza, Cuiabano; Gregore, Freitas, Henrique, Savarino, Almada; Jesus.
São Paulo have made an impressive return to the Copa Libertadores after a two-year absence, finishing top of their group with a strong 4-1-1 record. They followed that up with a solid 2-0 aggregate win over Uruguayan side Nacional in the round of 16.
Domestically, São Paulo are also having a steady season, currently sitting fifth in the Brasileiro Serie A. They ended a three-match winless streak over the weekend with a 1-0 away victory against Cruzeiro, getting their campaign back on track.
However, injuries have been a concern for São Paulo, with six key players on the sidelines. Long-term absentees Pablo Maia and Alisson have been out since April and July, while Rodrigo Nestor is doubtful after missing the last two games with an ankle sprain. Additionally, Patryck (shoulder), João Moreira (thigh), and Ferreirinha (hamstring) are all expected to remain out until next month.
SAO PAULO predicted lineup vs BOTAFOGO: Rafael (GK); Rafinha, Arboleda, Franco, Welington; Gustavo, Lizeiro; Rato, Neves, Moura; Calleri.
The stage is set for an exciting clash as two Brazilian giants, Botafogo and São Paulo, face off in the Copa Libertadores quarter-final at Estádio Nilton Santos. With São Paulo boasting 18 wins from the last 39 encounters, they hold a slight historical edge, while Botafogo have claimed victory 11 times, and 10 matches have ended in draws.
However, recent form favors Botafogo, especially on home soil. The hosts have been rock-solid at Estádio Nilton Santos, going unbeaten in their last six home games and scoring two or more goals in eight of their past ten. Their impressive home form has been a key factor in their title challenge this season.
São Paulo, on the other hand, have struggled away from home, failing to win eight of their last nine matches across all competitions. With four losses and four draws since mid-July, their road form leaves much to be desired.
Adding to the tension, Botafogo are unbeaten in their last six meetings against São Paulo, although the last two encounters ended in draws. With Botafogo’s dominant home form and São Paulo’s shaky away performances, the odds seem to tilt in favor of the home side.
Our prediction: Botafogo to win and continue their remarkable run.
