Preview: Botafogo vs Corinthians – prediction, team news, lineups

Botafogo will look to finish a worrying run of dwelling type once they welcome Corinthians to the Nilton Santos Stadium on Sunday in spherical 16 of the Brasileiro marketing campaign.

Either side head into the weekend degree on 18 factors, however the temper surrounding the golf equipment might hardly be extra totally different, with the guests arriving filled with confidence after a robust run underneath Fernando Diniz whereas the hosts proceed to battle inconsistency and mounting strain from supporters.

Match preview

Botafogo come into this conflict underneath vital scrutiny after a dangerous week that noticed them eradicated from the Copa do Brasil by struggling Chapecoense.

After successful the primary leg 1-0 at Nilton Santos, Franclim Carvalho’s aspect collapsed to a 2-0 defeat at Enviornment Conda, crashing out in opposition to a group at the moment rooted to the underside of the Brasileiro standings.

That outcome intensified strain on Carvalho and additional uncovered the emotional fragility that has plagued Botafogo all through the season – the Rio membership have now gone three consecutive dwelling matches with out victory in Serie A and supporters have gotten more and more annoyed with the group’s inconsistency.

Few groups in Brazil have been as unpredictable as Botafogo this marketing campaign, boasting one of many league’s best assaults, scoring 26 objectives in 15 matches, however their defensive report has been disastrous, with 27 objectives conceded – the joint-worst tally within the division alongside Chapecoense.

That imbalance has repeatedly undermined constructive attacking performances, with Carvalho’s males displaying they will overwhelm opponents on their day, together with a shocking 4-0 victory over Cruzeiro earlier within the season, however they’ve additionally suffered heavy defeats at dwelling in opposition to Gremio and Flamengo.

The ambiance at Nilton Santos has consequently turn into tense, with anxiousness from the stands typically spilling onto the pitch at any time when outcomes start to show in opposition to them.

One other distraction behind the scenes includes defender Barboza, who’s reportedly near becoming a member of Palmeiras after the Membership World Cup, creating additional uncertainty across the defensive unit heading into the second half of the marketing campaign.

Botafogo did at the least present resilience of their current 1-1 draw in opposition to Atletico Mineiro, equalising late after falling behind, however defensive lapses proceed to forestall them from constructing momentum within the desk.

Corinthians, against this, journey to Rio in one in all their greatest moments of the season following a powerful run underneath Diniz.

Timao head into the weekend after successful the derby in opposition to Sao Paulo, whereas additionally progressing within the Copa do Brasil with a win over Barra, and transferring to the highest of their Libertadores group, developments which have considerably boosted confidence contained in the squad.

Diniz has shortly improved the collective organisation of the group, significantly with out the ball. Corinthians at the moment possess the third-best defensive report in Serie A, conceding solely 13 objectives in 15 league matches.

Their away type defensively has been particularly spectacular, with the Sao Paulo giants permitting simply 0.83 objectives per recreation on the street, proof of a aspect more and more snug absorbing strain away from dwelling.

Regardless of their current enchancment, Corinthians nonetheless have room for progress away from dwelling general, having did not win a league away match since February, a statistic that gives Botafogo some encouragement regardless of their very own instability.

Botafogo Brasileiro type:

Botafogo type (all competitions):

Corinthians Brasileiro type:

Corinthians type (all competitions):

Group Information

© Imago

Botafogo can be with out Matheus Martins after the attacker suffered a muscle damage throughout the draw in opposition to Atletico Mineiro.

Danilo, the membership’s high scorer within the league with seven objectives, stays uncertain due to health issues and will begin on the bench if not absolutely recovered.

The hosts are additionally nonetheless lacking Allan, who continues recovering from thigh surgical procedure, whereas Kaio Pantaleao and Nathan Fernandes stay sidelined with knee accidents.

There may be higher information for Carvalho with Vitinho and Junior Santos each returning to the squad after suspension and contractual points respectively.

Corinthians, in the meantime, should cope with out suspended defender Gabriel Paulista, which means Andre Ramalho is predicted to associate Gustavo Henrique on the again.

The guests nonetheless have a number of damage issues, with Charles, Hugo, Tchoca, Kayke Ferreira, Vitinho and Depay all unavailable.

Rodrigo Garro has emerged because the artistic heartbeat of the group, with the Argentine playmaker registering 10 assists in all competitions this season, together with six within the Brasileiro, and was once more influential within the current derby conquer Sao Paulo.

Yuri Alberto additionally arrives in improved spirits after ending a nine-game objective drought throughout the Copa do Brasil victory over Barra-SC in midweek, probably giving Corinthians larger attacking confidence forward of a tough journey to Rio.

Botafogo attainable beginning lineup:

Grandchild; Vitinho, Ferraresi, Bastos, Telles; Medina, Danilo, Edenilson; Junior Santos, Montoro, Cabral

Corinthians attainable beginning lineup:

Souza; Matheuzinho, Ramalho, Henrique, Bidu; Raniele, Bidon; Carrillo, Garro, Lingard; Alberto

We are saying: Botafogo 1-1 Corinthians

Botafogo stay harmful going ahead and may create alternatives at dwelling regardless of the rising strain surrounding the membership.

Corinthians arrive in higher general type and look significantly extra organised defensively underneath Diniz, however their away struggles might proceed in opposition to an attack-minded Botafogo aspect, making a draw seem the more than likely final result.

For knowledge evaluation of the more than likely outcomes, scorelines and extra for this match please click on right here.