Botafogo RJ vs. Santos FC Prediction, Match Preview and Betting Tips, 26 October 2025

It’s set to be an intriguing evening as 6th placed Botafogo RJ take on relegation-threatened Santos FC in the 30th round of Serie A at 19:00. Botafogo, under the guidance of Davide Ancelotti, are six places and 15 points above Juan Pablo Vojvoda’s Santos, who are in a precarious position at 16th. Both teams come into this fixture with inconsistent form – Botafogo have won just two of their last five matches while Santos have only one win in their last five.

Botafogo are the bookmaker’s favorite with odds of 1.81 but have struggled defensively with key injuries and suspensions, such as the absence of David Ricardo and doubts over top scorer Jefferson Savarino. Santos also have their share of controversies, including recent critical VAR decisions that have left them near the relegation zone amid Neymar’s absence due to injury.

Given these dynamics and both teams’ need for stability, a draw seems a recommended bet. Both sides may adopt a cautious approach to avoid further setbacks, and neither has shown overwhelming consistency or robustness in recent matches.

Botafogo RJ vs Santos FC Prediction & Betting Tip

• Both Botafogo RJ and Santos FC are struggling with inconsistency and key injuries, making a stalemate a logical outcome.
• Botafogo RJ have only one clean sheet in their last five games, demonstrating defensive vulnerabilities.
• Santos FC, while showing some attacking promise, have defensive struggles and are missing key players like Neymar and Zé Rafael.

Given these reasons, a draw at odds of 3.20 seems to be a smart betting choice reflecting the current form and absentees of both teams.

Botafogo RJ vs Santos FC Odds

This clash brings forth some interesting betting prospects for punters. With Botafogo RJ’s inconsistencies and key injuries, the bookmakers have still pegged them as favorites with odds of 1.81. The odds for a draw stand at a tempting 3.43, reflecting the close nature of both teams’ recent performances and struggles. Santos FC, despite their challenging position in the league, hold longer odds of 4.38 for an away win.

Given the form and context of both teams, the draw at 3.43 appears to be the smart value bet, considering their current defensive vulnerabilities and injury woes. This cautious approach can help bettors navigate the layers of unpredictability surrounding the fixture.

Botafogo RJ Team Analysis

Botafogo RJ Recent Performance

The recent form of Botafogo RJ can best be described as inconsistent. Their last five matches have seen a mix of sporadic successes and setbacks, tallying two wins and three losses. They started the period with a disappointing 2-0 loss to Fluminense, followed by a crucial 2-1 victory against Bahia. However, they couldn’t maintain the momentum, suffering back-to-back defeats against Internacional and Flamengo.

Despite these ups and downs, they managed to secure a 2-0 win over Ceara in their most recent outing. Their defense has been a point of concern with just one clean sheet in their last five games. Offensively, they’ve averaged 0.8 goals per game, struggling for fluency with key injuries depleting the squad.

David Ricardo plays a crucial role in defense but will miss this match due to suspension. This inconsistency and the vulnerability at the back make their current standing quite precarious going into this clash.

Botafogo RJ Key Players

As Botafogo RJ gears up to face Santos FC, several key players will be critical to their performance. Jefferson Savarino, their top scorer with 4 goals, will carry a significant offensive responsibility, though his involvement is doubtful due to a muscle injury. Other primary attacking threats include Santiago Rodríguez and Joaquin Correa, who are both expected to start.

In midfield, Marlon Freitas and Newton Araujo will likely be pivotal in controlling the game’s tempo while providing defensive support. The absence of David Ricardo, serving a suspension, will require Fernando Marcal and Alexander Barboza to step up defensively.

Expected lineup for Botafogo RJ:

• Goalkeeper: Léo Linck
• Defenders: Vitinho, Fernando Marcal, Alexander Barboza, Cuiabano
• Midfielders: Newton Araujo, Marlon Freitas, Joaquin Correa, Santiago Rodríguez
• Forwards: Artur, Christopher Ramos

This lineup reflects the balance of experience and youth that manager Davide Ancelotti hopes will secure crucial points.

Botafogo RJ Suspensions & Injuries

Botafogo RJ is grappling with numerous suspensions and injuries that could significantly impact their performance against Santos FC. The suspension of David Ricardo due to yellow cards is a major blow to their defensive stability. Additionally, key players like Bastos, Neto, and Kaio are ruled out for the season with various injuries.

Further compounding their problems, forwards Arthur Cabral and Jefferson Savarino are listed as doubtful for the upcoming fixture due to hand and muscle injuries, respectively. Midfielder Matheus Martins is also sidelined with a thigh injury, expected to return only in early November.

These absences necessitate strategic adjustments from coach Davide Ancelotti, emphasizing the importance of squad depth and utilizing backups effectively. The lack of key personnel could strain Botafogo’s offensive capabilities and defensive solidarity, making this a tricky fixture for them.

Botafogo RJ Tactics and Formation

Botafogo RJ Tactical Breakdown:

• Formation: 4-2-3-1
• Key Forward: Christopher Ramos
• Midfield Duo: Newton Araujo, Marlon Freitas
• Defensive Strength: Concede 0.9 goals on average per match.
• Notable Strategy: Frequent vulnerabilities between the 31-45 and 46-60-minute intervals.

Under the tutelage of Davide Ancelotti, Botafogo RJ typically employs a 4-2-3-1 formation aimed at striking a balance between offense and defense. Defensively, the team has room for improvement, having managed only one clean sheet in their last five matches.

Offensively, they’ll rely heavily on the creativity of Joaquin Correa and Santiago Rodríguez alongside the lone forward Christopher Ramos. The absence of key players, such as David Ricardo due to suspension, necessitates a cautious approach, focusing on solid defensive organization and quick transitions to counter Santos FC’s attacking moves. This formation highlights Botafogo’s intent to control the midfield while exploiting spaces on the flanks.

Santos FC Team Analysis

Santos FC Recent Performance

Santos FC has had a rocky run of form lately, as reflected in their recent performance: two draws, two losses, and one win in their last five matches. Their form is summarized as DDLWL. They managed a 3-0 defeat to Ceará, a crucial 3-1 victory against Corinthians, but also faced a disappointing 1-0 home loss to Vitória due to some controversial VAR decisions and the absence of key player Neymar.

This inconsistency is evident with an average of 1.2 goals scored per game and no clean sheets in their last five outings, indicating defensive issues. Santos remain in 16th place with 31 points, perilously close to the relegation zone. Their recent struggles mean they must improve defensively while maintaining their sporadic attacking bursts to secure crucial points.

Santos FC Key Players

For Santos FC, several key players are expected to make a significant impact in their upcoming clash against Botafogo RJ. Alvaro Barreal stands out, being the team’s top scorer with 7 goals this season. His offensive prowess will be vital, especially with Neymar Jr. sidelined due to injury.

Midfield dynamo Benjamin Rollheiser will also play a crucial role in Santos’ game plan, particularly in linking up play and creating chances. Another influential figure in the midfield is Willian Arao, whose defensive and distribution capabilities are essential for maintaining balance in the lineup.

In defense, Adonis Frias and Luan Peres will be tasked with fortifying the backline to counter Botafogo’s attacking efforts.

Expected lineup for Santos FC:

• Goalkeeper: Gabriel Brazão
• Defenders: Igor Vinicius, Adonis Frias, Luan Peres, Gonzalo Escobar
• Midfielders: Willian Arao, Joao Schmidt, Alvaro Barreal, Benjamin Rollheiser, Guilherme Augusto
• Forward: Lautaro Diaz

This line-up will need to focus on both defensive solidity and offensive efficiency to secure valuable points.

Santos FC Suspensions & Injuries

Santos FC faces considerable challenges heading into their match against Botafogo RJ due to key absences. Ze Rafael’s suspension for accumulating yellow cards leaves a gap in their midfield, reducing their defensive options and ball retention capabilities. Further compounding their problems, Neymar Jr. remains sidelined with a thigh injury, significantly impacting their attacking dynamism.

Tomas Rincon is another doubt, struggling with a calf injury. His uncertain availability adds to the unpredictability in their midfield setup, as he brings valuable experience and control.

These absences might force Santos to rely on less experienced players or shift their standard formation, putting pressure on their tactical flexibility and squad depth. Adapting to these challenges will be critical for them to avoid further slipping towards the relegation zone.

Santos FC Tactics and Formation

Santos FC Tactical Breakdown:

• Formation: 4-2-3-1
• Key Forward: Lautaro Diaz
• Midfield Pivot: Willian Arao, Joao Schmidt
• Defensive Focus: Fortify backline against Botafogo’s attacks
• Notable Strategy: Scoring most goals in the 76-90-minute interval

With recent inconsistencies and key absences, Santos FC manager Juan Pablo Vojvoda is expected to continue leveraging a 4-2-3-1 formation. This setup aims to provide a balance between defense and attack, especially important given their recent struggles in both areas.

Lautaro Diaz will be the focal point in attack, supported by a creative midfield including Benjamin Rollheiser and top scorer Alvaro Barreal. The midfield pivot of Willian Arao and Joao Schmidt will be essential in breaking down opposition plays and linking up the defense with the attack.

Defensive solidity will be a priority, especially without Ze Rafael. The backline, led by Adonis Frias and Luan Peres, will need to be on high alert to handle Botafogo’s forward threats. Managing player fatigue and tactical discipline will be key as they aim to exploit late-match opportunities, having shown a propensity to score in the dying minutes.

Botafogo RJ vs Santos FC Head-to-Head Statistics

In the last five encounters between Botafogo RJ and Santos FC, the matches have produced a mixed bag of results, showcasing just how competitive these fixtures can be.

• 2025-06-01: Santos FC 0-1 Botafogo RJ (Serie A)
• 2023-11-26: Botafogo RJ 1-1 Santos FC (Serie A)
• 2023-07-23: Santos FC 2-2 Botafogo RJ (Serie A)
• 2022-11-10: Botafogo RJ 3-0 Santos FC (Serie A)
• 2022-07-21: Santos FC 2-0 Botafogo RJ (Serie A)

From these results, Botafogo RJ has won two matches, drawn two, and lost one. The most recent success was a narrow 1-0 win earlier in June 2025. Despite a slight edge for Botafogo, the previous meetings indicate tightly contested games with both teams having their moments.

Given the current season’s form and respective injury woes, another close and competitive match is expected. The head-to-head statistics underscore the unpredictability and the potential for a tight contest in this upcoming clash.

Odds accurate as of 24.10.2025 20:01, and are subject to change. Please always check the odds before placing your bets with any bookmaker.