Botafogo vs Fluminense Prediction: Team News and Lineups Preview

Brazil Serie A’s fixtures are coming thick and fast and our expert Nathan Joyes has provided his Botafogo vs Fluminense Best Bet, team news, lineups and fixtures preview.

It has been a tricky start to life in 2025 for Botafogo, who have picked up just five points from a possible 15 under their new head coach. The board have come out and supported Renato Paiva, but that will soon change if wins don’t start to come for the reigning champions.

Fluminense haven’t looked back since sacking Mano Menezes. Renato Gaucho has won four of his five matches to date, including wins against Santos and Corinthians on their travels. Can they continue their good form this weekend?

Botafogo vs Fluminense Prediction: Further frustration for the hosts

Brazil, Brazil Serie A, Sunday, April 27th, 01:00 (UK)

For those of you that read either my Brazil Serie A or Copa Libertadores previews, you’ll know that this was always going to be a tough season for Botafogo.

After winning the league title and Copa Libertadores last season, this should have been a springboard for further success. Instead, Artur Jorge – the mastermind behind their trophies – left for Al Rayyan, while key players including Luiz Henrique and Thiago Almada followed him out of the door.

Their Carioca (state cup) campaign was a disaster. As was their Supercopa final against Flamengo – as was their Recopa Sudamericana final vs Racing. And although Renato Paiva came in with less than a month before the Brazilian season kicked off, improvement hasn’t come as quickly as fans would have hoped for.

An opening day draw away to Palmeiras offered hope, as did their 2-0 win against Juventude at the Nilton Santos. But that’s about as good as it has got for now. Away defeats against Bragantino and Atletico Mineiro – without scoring – only angered fans. As did their 2-2 draw at home against Sao Paulo – a side that didn’t have either Oscar or Lucas Moura at their disposal.

The board has come out and backed Paiva – even if the next round or two of results don’t go their way. Interestingly, the board have been quick to point the finger at the players not buying into Paiva’s new style of play – and how individual errors are costing them in the early stages of the season.

It’s often the manager who’s first to go – especially in Brazil – and the comments probably haven’t gone down well in the dressing room.

Their next opponents couldn’t be in better form. Having stayed up on the final day of the season last year, Fluminense arguably should have let Mano Menezes go then. However, after a poor state cup and loss on the opening day, the board waited no longer and replaced him with Renato Gaucho.

Since Menezes has left, Fluminense have gone six unbeaten (W5 D1). Their midweek match against Union Espanola can be taken with a pinch of salt – whatever the result – as a reserve team has been sent – and Gaucho hasn’t even bothered to board that flight.

But Flu have been a breath of fresh air. The team appear more confident, especially in the forward areas, with Agustin Canobbio and Jhon Arias offering support to German Cano, who’s recaptured some old form.

Defensively, they’ve been much more together. Even without Thiago Silva at the back, Flu have looked like a unit at the back – and one that isn’t pulled apart with ease as they were last campaign.

Last season, Botafogo did the double over Fluminense – but they are both in completely different places right now. If Fogo doesn’t get to grips with the game early on, they could suffer the same as Corinthians did the other week. 

Fluminense have been underestimated in the market and they can look to pinch at least a point against a disjointed Botafogo side this weekend.

• Botafogo vs Fluminense Prediction: Fluminense +0.25 Asian Handicap
• Best Odds: 1.80
• Bookmaker: bet365
• Stake: 8/10

Botafogo vs Fluminense Prediction odds via bet365 as at 11:00, April 23rd, 2025. Odds may now differ.

Botafogo vs Fluminense Injuries, Team News and Possible Lineups

Botafogo will need to shift their defence for this fixture. Centre-back Alexander Barboza was injured in the warm-up last weekend against Atletico Mineiro and was replaced by David Ricardo. However, the 22-year-old was sent off and with Bastos still out with a knee injury, Mateo Ponte may be brought in to start.

Fluminense have a fully rested squad after deciding not to take many – if any – of their first team players to Chile midweek. Thiago Silva remains on the sidelines, but centre-back Ignacio has been a standout player for the visitors this season.

All eyes will once again be on Jhon Arias who remains Flu’s main threat, who scored one of the goals against Corinthians in their 2-0 win in round four.

Botafogo possible starting lineup:
Victor; Cuiabano, Jair, Ponte, Vitinho, Gregore, Freitas, Savarino, Jesus, Artur, Martins

Fluminense possible starting lineup:
Fabio; Rene, Freytes, Ignacio, Xavier, Ganso, Hercules, Martinelli, Canobbio, Cano, Arias

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