Botafogo will be aiming to maintain their strong run of form in the Brazilian Serie A when they welcome Corinthians to the Estadio Nilton Santos on Sunday.

While the hosts are pushing for a place in the top four, Corinthians find themselves in the bottom half of the standings and will be desperate to avoid slipping further behind their rivals.

Match preview

The 2025 FIFA Club World Cup returnees come into this contest unbeaten in their last six league outings, a run that includes four wins and two draws. Their most recent victory came away to Sport Recife last weekend, where a narrow 1-0 scoreline secured all three points.

New head coach Davide Ancelotti has made an immediate impact since replacing Renato Paiva in early July, collecting seven points from his first three games in charge. The 36-year-old, in his first managerial role, has maintained the team’s disciplined, counter-attacking approach while reinforcing their defensive shape.

Botafogo boast the second-best defensive record in the division, having conceded just seven goals in 14 games. They have also proven difficult to break down at home, winning four of their last six league fixtures in front of their own fans and keeping clean sheets in four of those.

Despite losing top scorer Igor Jesus to Nottingham Forest earlier this month, the Rio outfit have spread their goals around, with 11 different players getting on the scoresheet so far this season. Midfield metronome Marlon Freitas has stepped up in recent weeks, offering drive and creativity in the final third.

By contrast, Corinthians are enduring an underwhelming campaign, sitting 11th in the standings with just 20 points from 16 matches. They have picked up a solitary win in their last five league fixtures and were forced to settle for a goalless draw against Cruzeiro in their most recent outing.

Dorival Junior's men have lacked balance across the pitch, with only a handful of teams conceding more than their 19 goals, while their tally of 15 scored highlights persistent struggles in the final third. They have also found life difficult away from home, registering just one victory in their last six top-flight games on the road.

Much of Corinthians' inconsistency can be traced to a midfield unit that has often failed to impose control or dictate tempo. Despite enjoying periods of possession, they have struggled to convert pressure into clear-cut opportunities, while defensive lapses have continued to undermine their efforts at the other end.

The visitors have fared poorly in this fixture in recent times, losing three of their last four meetings with Botafogo, including a 2-1 defeat in September 2024.

Botafogo Brasileiro form:

D W W W D W

Botafogo form (all competitions):

W L D W D W

Corinthians Brasileiro form:

D D L W L D

Corinthians form (all competitions):

D D L W L D

Team News

Botafogo remain without several key players. Centre-back Bastos is sidelined until October with a knee injury, while Allan, Jefferson Savarino, Matheus Martins and Jeffinho are all ruled out with various muscular issues.

Arthur Cabral is expected to lead the line in the absence of Igor Jesus, supported by wingers Montoro and Artur. Freitas should once again anchor the midfield alongside Gregore and Rodriguez.

Corinthians, meanwhile, face a selection crisis. Injuries have further compounded the problems for the Sao Paulo club. Top scorer Yuri Alberto is currently sidelined, as are key men Maycon, Hugo and Ryan. They will also be without suspended midfield trio Jose Martinez, Raniele and Rodrigo Garro, forcing a reshuffle in the centre of the park

Memphis Depay is likely to shoulder the attacking burden, with Angel Romero offering support in the final third.

Botafogo possible starting lineup:

John; Vitinho, Kaio, Barboza, Telles; Gregore, Freitas, Rodriguez; Artur, Montoro, Cabral

Corinthians possible starting lineup:

Souza; Mana, Caca, Ramalho, Bidu; Carrillo, Pedro; Romero, Matheus Araujo, Wesley; Depay

We say: Botafogo 2-0 Corinthians

Botafogo have looked solid under new management and possess both the defensive resilience and attacking depth to trouble an injury-hit Corinthians outfit. With the visitors missing key players across the pitch, particularly in midfield and attack, it is difficult to see them taking anything from this clash.

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