Gameweek 17 in the Brasileiro pits table-topping Botafogo against Palmeiras at Estadio Nilton Santos, with the victor pulling three points clear after Wednesday's encounter.
Both sides are locked on 33 points after strong starts, leaving the home side dreaming of a first top-flight title in three decades at the expense of the two-time defending champions.
Match preview
The tightness atop the Brasileiro table is underscored by first and second not only level on 33 points after 16 fixtures but having to be separated by the fourth tie-break – goals scored – after points, wins and goal difference could not suffice.
Botafogo scoring 27 to their opponent's 25 means the hosts head into Wednesday night's fixture as league leader, even if little has separated first and second.
Even though Fogo are not halfway through their title challenge, supporters have reason to dream of a first league title since 1995, a wait which could be over after 29 years.
Artur Jorge's men have won three games on the spin - and four in five - heading into Wednesday's mouth-watering encounter, keen to extend their undefeated sequence in front of their supporters.
Fellow potential contenders, Bahia, were the last team to beat Jorge's men on home turf, with that 2-1 defeat preceding Fogo accruing 10 points from an available 12 in front of their supporters.
Their ongoing undefeated streak and two-match winning run will be challenged by the defending champions seeking a third top-flight title in succession.
Abel Ferreira's place as the foreign manager to win the most titles in Brazil is already secured, and the Portuguese aims for another league triumph after wins in 2022 and 2023.
Having ended the 2022 title-winning season with an eight-point advantage over second-placed Internacional and the previous campaign with points separating them from Gremio, Verdao are expected to be pushed again this season.
Any slips could be detrimental to what transpires at the season's culmination, and the away side should be wary of the side they aim to supplant and the cadre in the chasing pack.
With Flamengo (31) two points away, Bahia (30) trailing by three points and fifth-placed Cruzeiro four shy of the table-topping pair, the chasing trio hope to take advantage of the top two sides playing each other in round 17.
Team News
Diego Hernandez is suspended after picking another booking last time out in the success over Vitoria.
Jorge is not anticipated to have Pablo (thigh), Jeffinho and Rafael da Silva (both have knee injuries) for the top-of-the-table encounter.
Ze Rafael and Lazaro have thigh challenges that may prevent them from featuring for the away side on Wednesday night, while Murilo Cerqueira (ankle), Mauricio and Bruno Rodrigues (both knee injuries) will play no part.
Chelsea-bound Estevao William leads the club's scoring charts with five goals and has assisted four, making the attacker the away side's leading threat.
Botafogo possible starting lineup:
Victor; Suarez, Halter, Bastos, Marcal; Henrique, Gregore, Freitas, Savarino; Santos, Soares
Palmeiras possible starting lineup:
Weverton; Mayke, Reis, Gomez, Piquerez; Moreno, Rios; Estevao, Veiga, Rony; Lopez
We say: Botafogo 2-2 Palmeiras
The table toppers are undefeated in five, and their opponents have not been defeated in four heading into this colossal midweek fixture.
Palmeiras have won on their last two visits to Botafogo, but this Fogo iteration are entirely different.
Goals have not been lacking in this encounter, and this week's round 17 clash should follow suit as both sides could play out a score draw.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
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