Table-topping Botafogo seek a fourth straight triumph at Estadio Nilton Santos when they host off-form Internacional in round 18's Brasileiro clash on Saturday.
Artur Jorge's men secured an important victory over defending champions Palmeiras on Wednesday, opening a three-point lead atop the standings, and they seek a fifth straight league win this weekend to consolidate after that triumph.
Match preview
Fogo went into their match with Palmeiras having lost the previous two meetings against the top-flight champions on their turf but notched a 1-0 success to prevent a third consecutive defeat.
Tiquinho Soares scored the game's only goal to decide the match between the title challengers, and Jorge's team seek another triumph to avoid failing to take advantage of that triumph.
O Glorioso are undoubted favourites to notch maximum points given the team's ongoing three-match winning sequence on their turf and four consecutive victories in the competition.
Athletico Paranaense were the last team to stop Fogo from claiming maximum points in the Brasileiro — a 1-1 draw in June — and Bahia's 2-1 win in May was the last time Botafogo were beaten in Rio de Janeiro, underlining the first-placed side's form in front of their supporters.
They are favoured to defeat this weekend's opponent, who are in disarray after failing to notch maximum points in the competition since beating Gremio 1-0 on June 22.
Seven games have been played in all competitions since, with four coming in the top division, and losses to Vasco da Gama (2-1) and Atletico Mineiro (2-1) bookending 1-1 draws with Criciuma and cellar-dwelling Fluminense highlight the away side's ongoing struggles.
Colorado's results have led to Eduardo Coudet being let go circa a week ago, but caretaker boss Pablo Fernandez has not inspired the required turnaround as Clube do Povo have drawn 1-1 with Juventude in the domestic cup (eliminated 2-1 on aggregate) and lost 1-0 to Rosario Central in the first leg playoff for the Copa Sudamericana round of 16 on Wednesday.
While it remains to be seen if the off-form away side appoint another boss before facing the league-leading club on Saturday, a new head coach undoubtedly gives Fogo something different to think about.
The away side, who have played only 13 league matches, are not in immediate danger of sliding into the relegation spots, even if they will be aware of 17th-placed Corinthians moving four points behind them after a midweek win over Criciuma.
Team News
Fogo will welcome Diego Hernandez back into the squad after his one-match ban against Palmeiras.
However, Jorge's men may take to the pitch without Carlos Eduardo and Pablo — both nursing thigh injuries — and Jeffinho and Rafael da Silva, who have knee issues.
Tiquinho was the O Glorioso's fourth different goalscorer across their last two home fixtures, underlining the threat they carry from multiple options.
Internacional centre-back Vitao was taken off after 27 minutes in their Sudamericana loss, making the defender doubtful for Saturday.
While Enner Valencia is back after Copa America exertions, the forward missed the midweek continental defeat due to a hip injury, and he could be joined on the sidelines by Wanderson, Thiago Maia (both muscle complaints), Fernando (thigh), Charles Aranguiz (ankle) and Ivan (knee).
Botafogo possible starting lineup:
Victor; Suarez, Bastos, Barboza, Marcal; Freitas, Gregore; Henrique, Soares, Savarino; Santos
Internacional possible starting lineup:
Rochet; Bustos, I. Gomes, Mercado, Rene; Romulo, B. Gomes; Henrique, Patrick, Wesley; Alario
We say: Botafogo 2-0 Internacional
Botafogo are clear favourites to notch another league victory, and they should secure a routine win over a struggling Internacional.
The title challengers have kept three straight clean sheets in the league and a fourth could be in the offing on Saturday as they extend the away side's winless sequence in all competitions to eight.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
body check tags ::
Previews by email
