Brazilian top-flight leaders Botafogo welcome Fortaleza to Rio de Janeiro for a league clash on Saturday night.

Despite sitting at the summit of the standings, Botafogo's form has faltered in the past couple of weeks.

Match preview

After five wins from their opening five league matches this season, Botafogo looked formidable, racing clear at the top in the very early stages.

However, it has not taken long for things to slightly unravel, as they have gone on to pick up just six points from the following four games.

In a congested Serie A table, Botafogo still have a two-point lead to second place, but form must pick up again if they are to maintain their spot at the top.

A run of three wins from eight in all competitions suggests they may struggle to do so, as that has also seen their form on the continent suffer too.

Another 0-0 draw with LDU Quito in midweek has seen them through in the Copa Sudamericana, but Luis Castro's side need a win in the final game to secure first place in their section.

That result came after a difficult week where Atletico Paranaense knocked them out of the Copa do Brasil on penalties before beating them in the league just three days later.

Fortaleza are enjoying another solid season under Juan Pablo Vojvoda after finishing in the Copa Libertadores places last season - finishing two points and three places above their upcoming opponents.

Despite their failure to progress through the qualifiers, they look set to challenge for those places again this season, sitting ninth, just three points off the top four.

Dating back to the Cearense cup final win over Ceara, Fortaleza have won 11 of the 20 games since, not losing any of their first 13 games of the season.

Three defeats have followed since, but one was in the Sudamericana away to Venezuelan side Estudiantes de Merida in midweek with progression already sealed after four wins from four.

Goalscoring could prove to be a long-term issue ahead of the long season though, as they are the lowest scorers out of all the sides in the current continental positions.

Team News

Fernando Marcal is available for Botafogo again after the veteran full-back served a one-match suspension in last weekend's defeat to Paranaense.

However, a knee injury for the 34-year-old kept him out of the squad for the trip to Ecuador in midweek, so he is doubtful.

There are a fair few injuries manager Castro will have to contend with in midfield ahead of the weekend too.

A serious knee injury for Patrick de Paula will keep him out for the year, while Gabriel Pires, Matias Segovia and Danilo Barbosa are all also absent.

Pedro Rocha's frustrating return to Brazilian football will continue as the Fortaleza attacker remains out injured.

Goalkeeper Fernando Miguel has also been ruled out again with a knee injury, meaning Joao Ricardo should continue between the sticks, while Guilherme was taken off injured just nine minutes after coming on against Bahia and is expected to remain on the sidelines.

Botafogo possible starting lineup:
Lucas Perri; Di Placido, Adryelson, Cuesta, Hugo; Marlon Freitas, Tche Tche, Lucas Fernandes; Junior Santos, Tiquinho Soares, Luis Henrique

Fortaleza possible starting lineup:
Joao Ricardo; Tinga, Britez, Titi, Bruno Pacheco; Pochettino, Hercules, Caio Alexandre, Calebe; Romero, Thiago Galhardo

We say: Botafogo 1-1 Fortaleza

Botafogo's shaky run may continue despite their home advantage here, which could see them surrender top spot.

They did complete a league double over Fortaleza last season, but the visitors have been tough to beat for much of the season.


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