Having taken a break for the World Cup, Brazil’s Serie A gets back under way this week and Botafogo and Santos will both be looking to make up for lost time.
Botafogo suffered defeat in their last league fixture at the end of May, going down 2-1 to Bahia, and after 17 games they are 12th in the standings with 22 points.
Visitors Santos sit 15th in the 20-team standings, one point behind Botafogo having played a match more, but they were 3-1 victors in their last league match against Vitoria six weeks ago.
Santos have had a recent friendly against Uniao Sao Joao, winning 3-0 to dust off the cobwebs, and they will be hoping that helps them on this trip to Rio de Janeiro.
Three of the last five meetings have finished all-square, two of which were thrilling 2-2 draws, but neither outfit would be happy with a point in this latest rivalry.
Botafogo v Santos Tips Summary
Best Bet - Botafogo to win @ 1/1
Alternative Bet - Arthur Cabral anytime goalscorer @ 15/8
Bet Builder - Both teams to score, Arthur Cabral 2+ fouls committed & Matheus Martins 2+ shots on target @ 5/1
Botafogo v Santos Prediction
Best Bet: Botafogo to win @ 10/11
Botafogo's Danilo Santos was in Brazil’s World Cup squad and has plenty of Premier League clubs trying to secure his signature so it remains to be seen whether he plays a part, while Santos’ Neymar also featured for the Samba Stars at the World Cup.
Neither player is expected to feature on Thursday but Botafogo have a proud recent home record, losing only one of their last nine matches on their own patch, while they are also unbeaten in five meetings with Santos.
It was a 2-2 draw in Rio when these last two locked horns in October of last season but Santos are yet to win on their league travels this term, drawing four and losing four of their eight outings.
Santos have leaked 17 goals in those eight away games to highlight their struggles on the road and Botafogo should be able to capitalise.
The home team will miss Danilo but Arthur Cabral has been in fine form, scoring seven league goals, while Edenilson and Matheus Martins provide that Brazilian flair.
Alternative Bet: Arthur Cabral anytime goalscorer @ 15/8
Cabral has seven goals in 15 starts in Serie A this season and the Botafogo striker has long been an esteemed goalscorer, having also had productive spells with Basel, Fiorentina and Benfica.
The 28-year-old has four goals in his last four appearances, netting a hat-trick in a win over Corinthians in his last home league outing, and he should be keen to pick up where he left off.
Botafogo v Santos Bet Builder Tip
Both teams to score
Arthur Cabral 2+ fouls committed
Matheus Martins 2+ shots on target
Pays 5/1
Both teams have scored in three of the last four meetings and Botafogo tend to be embroiled in high-scoring matches, with the net bulging at both ends in four of their last five games.
Botafogo forward Cabral is known for his goalscoring exploits but he is a physical player that regularly contributes to committing fouls, making nine in his last four outings.
Matheus Martins is one of Botafogo’s most important players, with four league goals, and he has hit the target eight times in his last four appearances.
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Key Match Stats
Santos have failed to win any of their eight away league matches
Botafogo are unbeaten in five meetings with Santos
Botafogo have lost only one of their last nine at home
Each of Botafogo’s last five home games have gone over 2.5 goals
Both teams have scored in three of the last four rivalries
Santos have conceded nine goals in their last five competitive games
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This article was written by a partner sports writer via Spotlight Sports Group. All odds displayed on this page were correct at the time of writing and are subject to withdrawal or change at any time.
