Fortaleza aiming to dash Botafogo’s title hopes
Fortaleza vs Botafogo RJ - 23/11/2023
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Fortaleza and Botafogo are both without a win in seven Brasileiro matches as they prepare to lock horns at the Castelao on Thursday.
Thanks to a strong start to the season, Botafogo remain second in the table – two points behind Palmeiras.
However, they are now just three points clear of sixth-placed Flamengo.
As for Fortaleza, they find themselves 12th in the standings – 17 points shy of Botafogo and only five points outside the bottom four.
Fortaleza suffered a 1-0 defeat to Cruzeiro last time out, meaning they have lost six of their previous seven Brasileiro matches.
Not so long ago, things looked a lot brighter for Fortaleza when they enjoyed a run of six wins, one draw and one loss between August and October.
Since then, however, the hosts have taken just one point from a possible 21, leaving them just outside the relegation zone with five games remaining.
That said, Fortaleza can take confidence from their recent home record, as they have lost only five of their previous 30 league matches at the Castelao.
On the flip side, Botafogo enjoyed a remarkable start to the Brasileiro campaign, losing just two of their opening 21 games while picking up 16 wins.
However, the former leaders have only managed to win two of their last 13 league outings, recording four draws and seven defeats in the process.
It is also worth noting that Botafogo have won just two of their previous nine away Brasileiro encounters, recording four draws and three losses.
Still, only two teams have scored more Brasileiro goals than Botafogo this term, while only two sides have conceded fewer goals.
Head-to-head: Botafogo claimed a 2-0 victory over Fortaleza back in June, meaning they have won each of the past three meetings between the teams.
When you look at the bigger picture, Fortaleza have only managed to win two of their previous 10 Brasileiro meetings with Botafogo.
Team news: Fortaleza are still without long-term injury absentee Hercules as the midfielder continues to recover from a cruciate ligament tear.
Meanwhile, Botafogo’s injury list contains central midfielder Patrick de Paula and former Manchester United right-back Rafael.
Having thrown away a sizeable lead at the summit of the standings, Botafogo are low on confidence as the end of the season draws nearer.
With that in mind, Forebet predicts that Fortaleza will get the better of Botafogo, with the hosts expected to score over 1.5 goals while keeping a clean sheet.
Home team
Away team
Pred
Correct score
Avg. goals
Weather conditions
Coef.
Score
Live
coef.
Br1
382636
1
2 - 0
2.23
30°
2.05
2.05
3.50
3.50
no
no
no
2 - 2(2 - 1)
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