Verdict: Away win
Best odds: 123/100
Bookmaker: ZetBet
The 16th round of the 2023 season in the Brazilian Serie A will see Santos welcome Botafogo to their Estadio Urbano Caldeira, also known as Vila Belmiro, on Sunday.
Santos
Santos’ recent form has been a cause for concern, with a humiliating 4-1 defeat to Sao Paulo and a series of losses in their last five Brasileiro matches. The team’s defensive vulnerability, having conceded 15 goals in those games, has contributed to their slide to 14th in the table, just four points above the relegation zone.
Despite their struggles, Paulo Turra’s team have shown resilience at their home ground, Vila Belmiro, where they have won three and drawn three of their eight home league games. They have managed to frustrate strong opponents like Palmeiras and Internacional on their home turf.
However, overall, Santos have only secured four victories in 15 Serie A outings this season, and their defensive record remains a concern with 23 goals conceded, placing them among the teams with the highest number of goals against.
Facing Botafogo, the dominant league leaders, will be a challenging task for Santos. They will need to address their defensive issues and regain their attacking prowess to compete against the in-form Botafogo side. While their home form offers some hope, they will have to be at their best to get a positive result against the strong league leaders.
Team News
With Felipe Jonatan sidelined due to a ruptured knee ligament, Dodo is set to retain his position at left-back for Santos. Upfront, Marcos Leonardo will take the lead as the lone striker in a 4-2-3-1 formation.
Supporting him in the attacking midfield positions will be Stiven Mendoza, Lucas Lima, and Lucas Braga, forming a dynamic trio behind the striker.
Botafogo
Botafogo’s outstanding campaign in the Brasileiro has seen them dominate the competition, amassing an impressive 39 points from 45 available. The departure of manager Luis Castro to Al-Nassr raised concerns about their momentum, but new boss Bruno Lage has seamlessly taken charge and continued their winning ways.
Under Lage’s guidance, Botafogo have won both of their matches, registering convincing 2-0 victories against Gremio and Bragantino. The team’s solid defensive performances have been a key factor in their success, as they have not conceded a single goal in their last six league matches, accumulating 10 clean sheets in the process.
In addition to their league form, Botafogo are also performing well in the Copa Sudamericana, securing a 1-1 draw with Patronato de Parana in their recent fixture. This result extends their unbeaten streak across all competitions to 10 matches, comprising seven wins and three draws.
With a 12-point lead over second-placed Flamengo, Botafogo appear to be in an excellent position to continue their dominant run in the Brasileiro. They will be looking to maintain their strong form and add another three points to their tally when they face struggling Santos at Vila Belmiro on Sunday.
Team News
Botafogo will have to cope without former Manchester United defender Rafael, who is sidelined due to a knee injury. Additionally, midfielder Patrick de Paula is also unavailable due to an injury concern.
Their top scorer Tiquinho Soares has been in exceptional form, netting an impressive 10 goals in just 14 league outings so far this season. His contributions have been crucial in Botafogo’s success and will be a key player to watch in the upcoming match.
Carlos Eduardo, operating from midfield, has also made a significant impact, notching four goals and providing three assists. His ability to create and score goals adds an extra dimension to the attacking prowess of Lage’s team.
Conclusion
With everything that has been going on with these two teams this season, it seems pretty clear that Botafogo are likely to leave Vila Belmiro with the whole prize and continue their fantastic run.
Verdict: Away win
Best odds: 123/100
Bookmaker: ZetBet
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