Prediction: Botafogo SP vs Ceara

Verdict: Under 2.5 goals

Best Odds: 4/6

Bookmaker: Luckster

Desperately hoping to find a route into the promotion places in midweek, Ceara will travel to Santa Cruz when they meet Botafogo in the early hours of Wednesday.

Botafogo SP

Starting with the hosts, while Botafogo might have shown some extended issues over the past couple of months, Paulo Gomes’ camp do appear to have found a recent boost. Putting in another gritty performance last week as they snatched a 1-0 victory away at Brusque, the Panthers have clinched back-to-back Serie B wins for the first time since June. Signing off October with another 1-0 win against Amazonas, the Sao Paulo-based outfit will now be desperate to extend their buffer over the drop zone. Getting Wednesday’s showdown at Santa Cruz holding a four-point advantage over slipping into the relegation spots, Botafogo will know the importance of finding some stability on home soil. Last seen in front of their own supporters suffering a 1-0 defeat at the hands of Ituano, Wednesday’s hosts have recorded just a sole victory at Santa Cruz from any of their previous five attempts.

Team News

Dealing with what has become a stacked injury list, Botafogo will once again be unable to call upon the likes of Matheus Barbosa, Joao Carlos, Willian Gabriel and Pedro Costa here. Likewise, yet to make a single appearance since the middle of June, former Orlando City defender Robinho remains on the sidelines.

Bagging what was a sensational last-gasp winner away at Brusque last week, Patrick Bray will keep his spot at left-back. Recording three goals in his previous four Serie B appearances, former Fluminense youngster Alexandre Jesus will lead Botafogo’s attack.

Ceara

As for the visitors, continuing on what has been a real purple patch, Ceara have their sights firmly set on clinching a lucrative Serie A return this season. Last seen opening November with another eye-catching performance as they clinched a 2-0 win against Avai, Vagner Mancini’s men travel to Santa Cruz on Wednesday looking to move within touching distance of the top-four, the Vozao find the mood in their camp at a real high. Signing off October with a 2-1 victory at home against Paysandu, Ceara have collected 12 points from their previous five Serie B appearances. However, despite facing what appears to be a must-win showdown here, Mancini’s side have shown some extended issues on the road. In fact, the former Gremio boss has seen his squad lose four of their last five battles away from the Castelao.

Team News

Both still dealing with respective long-term injury issues, Ceara will travel to Santa Cruz without the duo of Fernando Miguel and veteran goalkeeper Richard here. However, finding the net against Avai last time out, former Bahia midfielder Lucas Mugni could be handed a full recall in the early hours of Wednesday.

Arriving from Brazilian giants Corinthians on a season-long loan deal, 20-year-old Joao Pedro will start at the heart of Ceara’s defence. Finding the net in back-to-back Serie B appearances, Erick Pulga will play a leading role in the final third.

Key Factors to Consider

• When Botafogo SP and Ceara last met back on November 13th, Wednesday’s guests stormed their way to a 4-1 victory.
• Ceara have collected 12 points from their previous five Serie B appearances.
• However, the Vozao have lost four of their previous five showdowns away from the Castelao.
• Botafogo have collected back-to-back Serie B victories for the first time since June.
• Seven of Botafogo’s last eight appearances at Santa Cruz have finished with under 2.5 goals.

Conclusion

Although Ceara might have stormed their way to a sensational 4-1 romp when they welcomed Botafogo to town back on November 13th, we could be set for a more cagey showdown here. With the Vozao losing four of their previous five showdowns away from the Castelao, they will meet a Botafogo squad who do appear to have turned a much-needed corner over the past fortnight. It should be noted, with Wednesday’s hosts seeing seven of their last eight matchups at Santa Cruz finish with under 2.5 goals, we are expecting a similar outcome here.

Verdict: Under 2.5 goals

Best Odds: 4/6

Bookmaker: Luckster