Ceará vs. Botafogo RJ Prediction, Match Preview and Betting Tips, 19 October 2025

As Ceará gear up to host Botafogo RJ in this Serie A clash on 19 October 2025, fans can expect an intriguing contest between two teams with different targets this season. Ceará, sitting 12th in the league with 35 points, are looking for a strong finish to the season under coach Leo Conde. Their recent form has been a mixed bag, with a record of DWLWD in their last five games. Injuries to key players like Luiz Otávio and Dieguinho remain a concern, and their defense has been prone to conceding late, which could be a significant factor.

On the other hand, Botafogo RJ, under the stewardship of Davide Ancelotti, find themselves in 5th place with 43 points, aiming for a spot in the top four. Despite a challenging period with several players out due to injury and suspensions, they will look to build on their historical edge over Ceará, having won multiple past encounters.

Given Botafogo’s attacking prowess and Ceará’s defensive frailties, the recommended bet is a Botafogo RJ Draw No Bet at odds of 1.90. With both teams eyeing critical points, this matchup could be pivotal in shaping their respective campaigns.

Ceará vs Botafogo RJ Prediction & Betting Tip

Ceará vs Botafogo RJ Prediction
Betting tip
Botafogo RJ Draw No Bet – Odds: 1.90

• Botafogo RJ approach this fixture as marginal favorites, buoyed by their aggressive 5-0 victory over Fortaleza and a notable 3-2 win against Ceará earlier this season.
• Ceará’s recent form is inconsistent, with significant defensive lapses, as highlighted by their recent 1-0 loss to Vitória and a history of conceding late goals.
• Historical head-to-head results favor Botafogo RJ, further strengthened by their capability to dominate even during challenging periods with multiple player injuries.

Despite Ceará’s home advantage, the recommended bet is Botafogo RJ Draw No Bet, offering a safety net if the match ends in a draw, making it a sound, value-driven selection.

Ceará vs Botafogo RJ Odds

Looking at the odds for the upcoming clash between Ceará and Botafogo RJ, it’s clear that bookmakers see this as a tightly contested fixture. Both teams are given relatively similar chances to win, reflecting their fluctuating forms and standing in Serie A.

Ceará vs Botafogo RJ Betting Odds
Bet	Odds
Ceará	2.73
Draw	2.94
Botafogo RJ	2.73

Botafogo RJ, despite being slight favorites, have the same odds as Ceará to walk away with all three points at 2.73. This suggests a balanced match, although Botafogo’s recent commanding win over Fortaleza and historical dominance over Ceará add some weight to their side.

A draw is also a probable outcome at odds of 2.94, especially considering Ceará’s tendency to concede late goals and Botafogo’s recent struggles with player availability. Keep an eye on the shifting dynamics as kickoff approaches for any odds adjustments.

Ceará Team Analysis

Ceará Recent Performance (DWLWD)

Ceará’s recent form has been a mixed bag, showcasing both resilience and inconsistencies. Over their last five matches, they have recorded a draw, a win, a loss, another win, and another draw, culminating in the form sequence DWLWD.

Key highlights include their emphatic 3-0 victory over Santos FC, demonstrating their offensive capabilities. Their defense has shown patches of solidity, with two clean sheets in the last five games. However, their tendency to concede late goals remains a concern, having let in the most goals in the 76-90 minute interval this season.

Their average goals scored in the last five games stands at 1.20, with Pedro Raul, their top scorer, netting 8 goals so far this season. As they aim to move up from their 12th position in Serie A, consistency and a stronger defensive setup will be crucial for Leo Conde’s side.

Ceará Key Players

Ceará’s attacking and defensive frameworks are critically shaped by a few standout players. Leading the front line is Pedro Raul, who has been instrumental for Leo Conde’s side with 8 goals this season. His scoring prowess will be essential if Ceará are to challenge Botafogo RJ’s defense.

In midfield, the creative spark is likely to come from Lucas Mugni, who has the ability to orchestrate play and unlock defenses. His role in connecting the midfield and attack will be pivotal, especially against a team like Botafogo that can be defensively solid.

The defense will rely heavily on the performances of Bruno Ferreira between the sticks, alongside the backline comprising Fabiano, Marllon, Willian Machado, and Matheus Bahia. Their ability to maintain concentration, particularly in the final 15 minutes where Ceará have struggled, will be under the microscope.

Expected lineup for Ceará:

• Goalkeeper: Bruno Ferreira
• Defenders: Fabiano, Marllon, Willian Machado, Matheus Bahia
• Midfielders: Lourenço, Vinicius Zanocelo, Antonio Galeano, Lucas Mugni, Fernandinho
• Attackers: Pedro Raul

Ceará Suspensions & Injuries

Ceará head into this match with a few significant injury concerns that could impact their performance against Botafogo RJ. Key defender Luiz Otávio remains sidelined due to knee surgery, with an anticipated return in late October 2025. Midfielder Dieguinho is also out with a calf injury, aiming for a return in early November 2025. Additionally, Marcos Victor is nursing a heel injury, with his return also expected around early November.

These absences could pose challenges for Ceará, especially in maintaining defensive solidity. The team’s tendency to concede late goals could be exacerbated by these missing players. Coach Leo Conde will need to find effective replacements from within the squad to fill these gaps and ensure a competitive lineup.

Ceará Tactics and Formation

Ceará typically line up in a 4-2-3-1 formation, which provides a balanced approach between attack and defense.

Tactical Breakdown:

• Formation: 4-2-3-1
• Key Forward: Pedro Raul serves as the focal point of the attack, having scored 8 goals this season.
• Midfield Structure: Lourenço and Vinicius Zanocelo anchor the midfield, providing a solid defensive shield while facilitating build-up play. Lucas Mugni, situated as the attacking midfielder, excels at linking play and creating scoring opportunities.
• Defensive Strength: With 2 clean sheets in their last 5 games, the defense, led by Bruno Ferreira in goal, aims to remain compact.
• Notable Strategy: Ceará tend to exploit the flanks with the pace of Antonio Galeano and Fernandinho on the wings. However, they need to address their vulnerability in the final 15 minutes where they have conceded the most goals this season.

Ceará will need to focus on maintaining a tight defensive line, particularly against a Botafogo RJ side known for their attacking prowess.

Botafogo RJ Team Analysis

Botafogo RJ Recent Performance ()

Botafogo RJ’s recent form has been somewhat erratic, encapsulated in their last five matches with a sequence of DLWLL. Despite these mixed results, they remain a formidable side in Serie A, currently sitting in 5th place with 43 points.

Their recent 5-0 thrashing of Fortaleza showcased their attacking potential, although they’ve struggled defensively, failing to keep a clean sheet in their last five outings. On average, they’ve scored 0.60 goals per game during this period, underlining some offensive challenges.

Coach Davide Ancelotti will be keen to iron out these inconsistencies, especially considering the team’s upcoming fixtures. Botafogo RJ’s ability to rediscover their form could determine their push for a top-four finish as they aim to solidify their position in the league standings.

Botafogo RJ Key Players

Botafogo RJ’s squad features several key players who will be crucial in their clash against Ceará. Leading the attack is Jefferson Savarino, the team’s top scorer with 4 goals this season. Despite their recent offensive struggles, Savarino remains a consistent threat upfront and will look to add to his tally.

In the midfield, Allan and Artur Guimaraes play vital roles in both defense and attack. Allan’s defensive work rate and Artur’s creativity are essential to maintain balance and drive the team forward.

Defensively, the return of Fernando Marcal adds experience and stability to the backline, especially with the absence of Alexander Barboza due to suspension.

Expected lineup for Botafogo RJ:

• Goalkeeper: Léo Linck
• Defenders: Vitinho, David Ricardo, Fernando Marcal, Cuiabano
• Midfielders: Allan, Newton Araujo, Artur
• Attackers: Jefferson Savarino, Santiago Rodríguez, Arthur Cabral

The performances of these key players will be pivotal against a resilient Ceará side, and individual matchups could very well determine the outcome of the game.

Botafogo RJ Suspensions & Injuries

Botafogo RJ will be missing several key players due to injuries and suspensions, which could affect their performance against Ceará.

Notable absentees due to injury include:

• Kaio Pantaleão with a knee injury, sidelined until 2026.
• Neto, also out for the season with a thigh injury.
• Álvaro Montoro and Danilo, both recovering from significant injuries, with Montoro expected back by late November 2025 and Danilo by late October 2025.

Suspensions add to Botafogo’s woes:

• Alexander Barboza and Marlon Freitas are suspended due to accumulated yellow cards, each set to miss the next match.

The numerous absences, especially in defense and midfield, could weaken Botafogo’s usual solidity and balance, forcing coach Davide Ancelotti to make tactical adjustments and rely on the depth of his squad to secure a positive result.

Botafogo RJ Tactics and Formation

Botafogo RJ usually employ a 4-2-3-1 formation, which allows for solid defensive coverage while maintaining an attacking threat.

Tactical Breakdown:

• Formation: 4-2-3-1
• Key Forward: Jefferson Savarino, the team’s top scorer this season with 4 goals, is pivotal in their attacking strategy.
• Midfield Structure: Allan and Newton Araujo act as the defensive midfield anchors, providing stability and protection for the backline. Artur, playing as an attacking midfielder, is crucial for transitioning play from midfield to attack.
• Defensive Strength: Despite their recent defensive lapses, the return of Fernando Marcal adds experience and stability to their backline. However, they have not kept a clean sheet in their last five games.
• Notable Strategy: Botafogo RJ tend to start strong, having scored first in 80% of their past encounters with Ceará over the last five seasons.

Botafogo RJ will need to address their defensive vulnerabilities while capitalizing on their attacking options to secure a positive result against Ceará.

Ceará vs Botafogo RJ Head-to-Head Statistics

When analyzing the recent head-to-head statistics between Ceará and Botafogo RJ, it’s clear that these encounters have often been tightly contested and unpredictable. Over the last five meetings, Botafogo RJ have held a slight edge with two wins, two draws, and only one loss.

Last 5 meetings:

• 04 June 2025: Botafogo RJ 3 – 2 Ceará (Serie A)
• 06 August 2022: Botafogo RJ 1 – 1 Ceará (Serie A)
• 17 April 2022: Ceará 1 – 3 Botafogo RJ (Serie A)
• 26 February 2021: Ceará 2 – 1 Botafogo RJ (Serie A)
• 31 October 2020: Botafogo RJ 2 – 2 Ceará (Serie A)

In these encounters, Botafogo RJ have often started strong, scoring first in 80% of the matches. This is a pattern that Ceará will need to be wary of, especially given their own tendencies to concede late goals. With Botafogo RJ having the historical advantage, this match promises to be another intriguing chapter in their rivalry.

Odds accurate as of 17/10/2025 20:01, and are subject to change. Please always check the odds before placing your bets with any bookmaker.