The final group-stage round of the 2025 Copa Libertadores will see Botafogo host Universidad de Chile at Estadio Olímpico Nilton Santos, with both sides eyeing progression to the knockout phase.
Just a single point separates the two as the hosts sit atop Group A on 10 points, while Botafogo find themselves in third, only behind second-placed Estudiantes on goal difference.
Match preview
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Champions of last season's tournament after a historic win over Atletico Mineiro in the final, Botafogo's title defence has been far from serene, though with destiny still in their own hands, victory here will ensure qualification to the knockout rounds.
The reigning kings of the continent found themselves in early trouble this campaign, losing two of their opening three matches, including tight 1-0 away defeats against both Universidad and Estudiantes, either side of a 2-0 home success over Carabobo.
However, Botafogo have since dusted themselves off with back-to-back wins — first edging past the Venezuelan outfit 2-1 before coming out on top in a pulsating 3-2 clash against the Argentine club — meaning their final group opponents remain the only side they are yet to overcome.
That said, there will be belief in the camp knowing the Fire triumphed the last time they welcomed the Chileans to Rio, edging a 1-0 result in their sole previous home meeting during the 1996 edition of the competition.
Recent form in front of their fans also offers an additional boost, with Renato Paiva's men winning six of their last seven outings on their own turf across all competitions, drawing the other, while scoring 19 times and conceding just four in that stretch, which included five clean sheets.
However, momentum has not exactly been on Botafogo's side in recent days, having followed up a goalless draw away at Flamengo in the league with a 1-0 loss at Capital in the second leg of their Copa do Brasil tie, though the Fire advanced 4-1 on aggregate.
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Universidad also make this trip licking wounds from a domestic defeat, having lost 2-0 at Limanche last time out in a result that brought their three-game unbeaten run to a halt (W2, 1L).
One of those three positive results came in the form of a commanding 4-0 win against Carabobo in their previous continental outing, a performance that helped erase the memory of a comprehensive 3-0 setback at Estudiantes the matchday prior.
Gustavo Alvarez's side have taken three wins, one draw and a single defeat from their five matches and know that just a point on Brazilian soil will be enough to send them through to the knockout stages for the first time since the 2011-12 campaign.
With that in mind, the Blues can take confidence from their travels in the competition, having come away with a 2-1 win at Estudiantes and a point from Carabobo on the road.
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Team News
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In back-to-back outings, Botafogo have been dealt fresh blows on the injury front, with goalkeeper Leo Linck forced off early in their most recent match after David Ricardo's evening ended abruptly in the previous game.
The likes of Artur, Jefferson Savarino, Matheus Martins, Gonzalo Mastriani, Alexander Barboza and Bastos are all expected to remain sidelined, further limiting options for the hosts.
Interestingly, all seven goals scored by Botafogo in this competition have come from different players, and one of them, Igor Jesus, is tipped to return to the frontline after missing the last fixture.
Universidad de Chile, on the other hand, emerged from their last outing without picking up any fresh knocks.
Charles Aranguiz, who leads the side's scoring chart in this competition with three goals, could be handed a starting berth this time having come off the bench in their previous clash.
Israel Poblete is expected to miss the trip due to an abductor issue, while Matias Sepulveda remains a doubt after also sitting out their last match.
Botafogo possible starting lineup:
John; Vitinho, Cunha, D.R, Telles; Fernandes, Gregore, Freitas, Cuiabano; Seco, Jesus
Universidad de Chile possible starting lineup:
Toselli; Zaldivia, Formiliano, Fernandez; Aranguiz, Otega, Montes, Alfaro; Melli; Guerra, Yorio
We say: Botafogo 1-0 Universidad de Chile
Botafogo's impressive home run gives them the upper hand heading into this contest, especially with a win crucial to avoiding the drop into the Copa Sudamericana, and the fact that the Fire triumphed the last time they hosted Universidad offers further reason to fancy their chances.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
Adeyeye Oluwapelumi
