Few people saw Botafogo out-performing Internacional this season but they come into this match a massive 10 places and 11 points better off than the Porto Alegre side. Coming from Serie B last term, Botafogo have really excelled in the top flight and are in 7th place now and are knocking on the door of the Copa Libertadores places for next term which would be some achievement.
They were late 1-0 winners at Figueirense on Sunday following a 2-0 home win over champions Corinthians in their previous match. Bizarrely they have now gone 17 matches since their last draw with 10 of those games wins and it has really helped them steal a march on some of the other teams who are drawing a bit too often.
Internacional finally have a glimmer of light from what has been a gloomy season. They’ve recorded priceless back-t0-back wins so far this month, beating fellow strugglers Figueirense and Coritiba 1-0 at home having lost all of their previous 4 league games and won just 1 of the previous 19 in the league. We perhaps shouldn’t get too excited about two narrow home wins against bottom half sides though and this is likely to be much tougher.
With just 9 games to go, the league table doesn’t really lie any more and Internacional deserve to be in the relegation zone given how bad they’ve been for most of the campaign. They’ve taken just 3 points from their last 12 away fixtures which is really poor and with Botafogo playing with real confidence, backing the hosts to win this one looks the way to go.
Therefore consider taking a punt on Botafogo to Win at 23/20.
Head To Head
Botafogo won 3-2 at Inter earlier in the season but haven't won any of their last 5 home games against them.
Stats
7 of Botafogo's last 8 wins have been to nil. Internacional have kept just 1 clean sheet in their last 17 Serie A away games.
Team News
Bruno Silva serves a suspension so Dudu Cearense may come in to the midfield. Alemão should keep his place at right back.
Captain Paulão returns from a ban. Anselmo and Valdivia are set to come into the side for this one.
