Gremio will be hoping to end their poor start to the current Brasileiro campaign when they host Botafogo at the Estadio Kleber Jose de Andrade on Sunday.

The home team have lost their last three league matches, while the visitors are unbeaten in their last three.

Match preview

Gremio's dreadful start to the current league campaign continued as the Tricolor suffered a third consecutive league defeat following a 2-1 loss to Flamengo.

Luiz Araujo scored one in each half to complete his brace, leaving Renato Gaucho's men trailing by two goals until stoppage time when Edenilson halved the deficit, scoring their first goal in three league games.

This was Gremio's fourth defeat in just six Brasileiro matches this season, which has left them languishing in 13th place with just six points, one point above the relegation zone.

The Tricolor will be hoping to turn things around when they host Botafogo at the Estadio Kleber Jose de Andrade. The hosts have picked up all their points at home, winning twice and losing once, in contrast to their away form where they have lost all three games.

However, the last time they hosted this fixture, the visitors won 2-0. They have also yet to pick up a single point this season against sides currently in the top half of the table.

Unlike the hosts, Botafogo have enjoyed a strong start to their league campaign, sitting in third place, just a point behind Flamengo and Bahia, who are first and second respectively.

Fogo secured a second consecutive victory and remained unbeaten for the third straight game with a 1-0 win over Fluminense at the Estadio Olimpico Nilton Santos on Wednesday.

Artur Jorge's men have been particularly strong in attack, scoring the second-most goals in the league so far (14), only behind Flamengo (15).

Scoring the first goal has been crucial for Botafogo, as the three times they dropped points this season have come when they conceded first.

Since losing to Cruzeiro in their opening away match, the visitors are unbeaten in three consecutive away games in the Brasileiro. They have beaten both Flamengo and Corinthians away from home, while they drew against Fortaleza.

Team News

Gremi

Gremio will be missing the services of Paraguayan midfielder Mathias Villasanti and Venezuelan forward Yeferson Soteldo, who have both been named as part of their country's squad for the Copa America.

On the injury front, they will be without Diego Costa, Andre Henrique, Lucas Mila, and Jhonata Robert, while Gustavo Nunes is suspended for accumulated yellow cards.

With Costa injured, Joao Pedro is expected to spearhead the attack once again, while he receives support from Everton and Cristian Pavon.

Botafogo will be missing Jefferson Savarino and Jacob Montes, who are both away on international duty.

Rafael da Silva is sidelined with a knee injury until later this month, while Carlos Eduardo, Jeffinho, Pablo and Matheus Nascimento are all dealing with thigh issues.

Marcal is dealing with a calf strain, which should keep him out of the lineup until the middle of the month.

Gremio possible starting lineup:
Rafael; Pedro, Ely, Kannemann, Reinaldo; Pepe, Dodi, Cristaldo; Pavon, Pedro, Everton

Botafogo possible starting lineup:
John; Suarez, Barboza, Bastos, Cuiabano; Gregore, Freitas, Tche Tche; Henrique, Soares, Santos

We say: Gremio 0-1 Botafogo

Botafogo have started brightly and are in better form compared to Gremio. The hosts have not beaten any team in the top-half, while the visitors have picked some impressive points on the road already. We think that the away side will nick it.


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