Vasco and Botafogo Aim to Kick-Start Their Season

A.RICARDO / Shutterstock.com

The Brazilian Serie A fixtures continue to come thick and fast and this weekend sees a meeting between Vasco da Gama and Botafogo at Estádio Club de Regatas Vasco da Gama, Rio de Janeiro.

This is a crucial game for both teams, who are looking to kick-start their season.  Vasco da Gama start the weekend in 11th place, with 11 points from seven games.  They have a game in hand on all the teams above them and a win in that could see them in the top half of the table.

Botafogo are down in 14th place, with just 9 points from eight games played.  They can only move as high as 10th win a win but a defeat could see them drop into the relegation zone, so it’s a massive game in terms of their early season progress.

Vasco da Gama come into this match having defeated Parana 1-0 at home on Wednesday night. It was their second win in three games having defeated Universidad Chile 1-0 away from home in the Copa Libertadores.

However, the win in Chile was quickly followed by a 3-0 defeat at Bahia in the Br azilian Serie A and trends show Vasco de Gama have won only one of their last four league matches.  Prior to the win against Parana on Wednesday, Vasco da Gama had lost two and drawn one of their Brasilian Serie A matches.  In addition to the defeat at Bahia, Vasco da Gama lost 3-2 at home to Vitoria and were held to a 1-1 draw at Flamengo.

At home, Vasco da Gama have won four of their last five Brasilian Serie A games and have lost just one of their last thirteen.  Both teams have scored in eight of their last nine matches on home soil.

Botafogo lost 3-2 at Sao Paulo on Thursday and trends show they have gone three games without a win in Brasilian Serie A. Having taken the lead early in the match, Botafogo went on to concede 3 goals without reply before scoring a second of their own with 7 minutes remaining.

Trends show Botafogo have won only two of their eight matches this season.  Both of those wins have come at home and Botafogo have defeated Gremio and Fluminense both 2-1.

However, away form has left some cause for concern and Botafogo have lost three and drawn one of their four away matches this season.  They have lost each of their last three and you must go back seven games to find the last time they won on the road, which was at Sport Recife last season.

Team news and Vasco da Gama have a long list of injured players, with centre-back Werley joining them having broken his arm in mid-week.  Paulinho, Ramon, Rildo, Paulo Vitor and Thiago Galhardo are all on the treatment table.  Henrique is suspended.

Botafogo travel without Joao Paulo and Gatito Fernandez who are injured.  Renatinho is rated as doubtful.

Vasco da Gama have had a decent start to the season and their home form suggests they should get the job done against a Botafogo team who have struggled on their travels.  However, don’t be surprised to see the away team get a goal.