Botafogo vs Criciuma Prediction: Team News and Lineups Preview

The Brasileirão is getting tense at this stage of the season, and South American expert Nathan Joyes provides his Botafogo vs Cricuma prediction, team news, lineups and fixtures preview.

Botafogo are still very much in hunt of a famous double, with one eye on the Copa Libertadores semi-final next week. However, a win against Criciuma in front of a sell out crowd will keep them clear of Palmeiras.

The visitors haven’t performed well on the road in the top flight, but equally have kept themselves out of a relegation scrap many intended them to be in.

• Botafogo vs Criciúma Tip 1: Botafogo and under 3.5 goals
• Botafogo vs Criciúma Tip 2: Luiz Henrique to score any time
• Botafogo vs Criciúma Tip 3: BTTS No

Botafogo vs Criciuma Prediction 1: G

Brazil, Brazil Serie A, Saturday, October 18th, 00:00 (UK)

There’s no doubt many Brazilian fans are eager to see if Botafogo “bottle” the title once again, but this is a very different side to one 12 months ago. It’s a straight shootout between them and Palmeiras with just nine rounds to go.

Unlike Palmeiras, Botafogo are in the final four of the Copa Libertadores, and their all important tie against Penarol takes place next week. With Artur Jorge keeping an eye on their first leg, he may look to rest one or two players and trust his squad members to step up and secure the three points.

Fortunately for Jorge, his side aren’t playing a title rival in this round, and a visit from a newly promoted side struggling on the road may just help him out along the way.

For only the second time this season, the Nilton Santos is sold out, and 55,000 supporters are there to help get their team over the line. Criciuma have lost four of their last five on their travels, and on a night when this isn’t about them, the hosts can sweep them to one side.

• Botafogo vs Criciúma Prediction 1: Botafogo and under 3.5 goals
• Best Odds: 2.10
• Bookmaker: bet365
• Stake: 7/10

Botafogo vs Criciuma Prediction 2: Back in form Brazilian

Although there may be a couple of rotations from Jorge’s preferred XI, it would be a big call to drop their star player; Luiz Henrique. 

The former Real Betis winger scored the winner for Brazil against Chile during the international break, and he’s been instrumental for Botafogo this campaign – and one of the main reasons why they are sitting in first place.

The 23-year-old is Botafogo’s top goalscorer with six goals and three assists to his name, who recently scored the winner against Fluminense, and at home when Fogo beat Corinthians 2-1.

If Henrique is in the mood, Jorge’s team are tough to stop. Criciuma’s right-back Claudinho struggled against Estevao when Palmeiras hammered them 5-0 a few weeks ago, so much so he was pulled at half time.

Someone with Henrique’s talent, ability to drift into dangerous areas and use his powerful left-foot will be relishing playing against Claudinho – and at the Nilton Santos, a big pitch, he can lead his team to victory.

• Botafogo vs Criciúma Prediction 2: Luiz Henrique to score any time
• Best Odds: 3.0
• Bookmaker: bet365
• Stake: 5/10

Botafogo vs Criciuma Prediction 3: Visitors to suffer

Criciuma have found life tough on the road since their promotion. Having lost eight of their last ten away games, they have only beaten newly promoted side Juventude and Gremio – note that Gremio had to face Flamengo and Botafogo both sides of this fixture.

Although Criciuma have managed to score in six of those ten matches, they have drawn a blank on three occasions in the last five games. It’s at this point of the demanding season that appears to be catching up with them.

Fortaleza, Palmeiras and Bahia all kept a clean sheet against them, where Criciuma only had two shots on target vs Fortaleza and only two shots all game when they travelled to Bahia.

They have been very reliant on Yannick Bolasie, who has scored six league goals in his debut season in Brazil, but the 35-year-old hasn’t scored since August now. With his form in front of goal dipping, Criciuma’s output has been limited.

• Botafogo vs Criciuma Prediction 3: BTTS No
• Best Odds: 1.75
• Bookmaker: bet365
• Stake: 6/10

Botafogo vs Criciuma Prediction odds via bet365 as at 09:00, October 15th, 2024. Odds may now differ.

Botafogo vs Criciuma Team News: Henrique too important to drop

Botafogo possible starting lineup:
  Victor; Telles, Barboza, Bastos, Vitinho, Freitas, Gregore, Almada, Savarino, Henrique, Jesus

Criciuma possible starting lineup:
Gustavo; Henrique, Figueiredo, Rodrigo, Dudu, Matheusinho, Mateus, Newton, Barreto, Bolasie, Allano

Match Stats

• Botafogo have kept three clean sheets from their last five home matches.
• Criciuma have lost four of their last five games on the road.
• Botafogo have only lost two matches in 2024 at the Nilton Santos.

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