Botafogo vs Cruzeiro Prediction: Team News and Lineups Preview

Saturday night Brasileirão action. Our South American expert Nathan Joyes provides his Botafogo vs Botafogo vs Cruzeiro prediction, team news, lineups and fixtures preview. 

Botafogo continue to rise to the challenge to compete for the Brazil Serie A title and they have been relentless at the Nilton Santos this season. Unbeaten in their last five at home, winning four of those, keeping three clean sheets, they are the team to beat.

Cruzeiro has been in good form, but mainly at home. On the road, it’s been a completely different story.

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• Botafogo vs Cruzeiro Tip 1: Botafogo to Win
• Botafogo vs Cruzeiro Tip 2: Botafogo and Under 3.5 Match Goals
• >Botafogo vs Cruzeiro Tip 3: Luis Henrique to Score Anytime

Botafogo vs Cruzeiro Prediction 1: Licking their lips

Brazil, Brasileirão, Sunday, July 28th, 01:30 (UK)

Botafogo landed us another tracked selection last weekend with their 1-0 victory over Internacional. They’ve since faced Sao Paulo, but a return to their home ground is where they are incredibly tough to beat.

Winning 22 points from their nine matches, Artur Jorge’s side have scored 16 goals yet only conceded five goals in the process. The ex-Braga manager has come in and tightened their leaky defence, and their abundance of attacking talent are having plenty of fun in front of goal.

Record signing Luiz Henrique scored the winner against Inter, who has adapted back to life in Brazil comfortably. That record signing, however, has recently been beaten as they’ve brought in Argentina Thiago Almada. Once he’s in the side, Botafogo will be incredibly tough to beat.

Cruzeiro are seven wins from seven on their own patch, but away from home they’ve picked up just eight points from 10 matches – conceding 15 goals across those matches.

Having lost four of their last five away games, including a 4-1 defeat to Bahia, Botafogo will be licking their lips of another victory on their 3G pitch that many don’t enjoy playing on.

• Botafogo vs Cruzeiro Prediction 1: Botafogo to Win (TRACKED BET)
• Best Odds: 1.72
• Bookmaker: bet365
• Stake: 8/10

Botafogo vs Cruzeiro Prediction 2: Professional performance

For those looking to squeeze more value out of Botafogo, I’d advise turning towards the bet builder option and throwing in under 3.5 goals.

Botafogo have become a team who are one of the best defensive sides in the league. As well as only conceding five at home, they’ve kept four consecutive clean sheets (prior to their trip to Sao Paulo).

Last year, Botafogo were a side that overachieved, but this year, when they get their head in front (often deservedly) they know how to shut up shop and keep their opponents at arms length.

Goalkeeper John Victor has been one of the best in the league, while Bastos and Alexander Barboza have formed a formidable partnership in the heart of the defence.

Cruzeiro have lost to Palmeiras, Flamengo and Criciuma on the road in the last few matches, yet all matches have finished with three goals or less. 

Botafogo’s winning run at home will come to an end at some point, but this doesn’t appear to be the opponent that has enough to stop them.

• Botafogo vs Cruzeiro Prediction 2: Botafogo Win and Under 3.5 Goals
• Best Odds: 2.30
• Bookmaker: bet365
• Stake: 7/10

Botafogo vs Cruzeiro Prediction 3: Winger in fine form

Luiz Henrique has taken to life back in Brazil like a duck to water and there’s been no surprise to see him already scoring key goals for his new club.

Having scored the winner against Flamengo at the Maracana earlier in the campaign, the 23-year-old is stepping up, especially at home.

A goal against Atletico Mineiro in Botafogo’s 3-0 win was backed up once again at Nilton Santos with the winner vs Internacional. A well-time run and finish, as well as using his strength to outmuscle the defender, shows why he’s a “cheat code” in this league.

If Botafogo are to win the Serie A title, it’s going to be down to key players like Luiz Henrique stepping up – and that’s exactly what he’s doing for his side at the moment. While he’s still in form, it make sense to side with the Brazilian to find the back of the net once more.

• Botafogo vs Cruzeiro Prediction 3: Luis Henrique to Score Anytime
• Best Odds: 4.33
• Bookmaker: bet365
• Stake: 5/10

Botafogo vs Cruzeiro Prediction odds via bet365 as at 14:00, July 21st, 2024. Odds may now differ.

Botafogo vs Cruzeiro Possible Lineups

Botafogo possible starting lineup:
Victor; Cuiabano, Barboza, Bastos, Suarez, Barbosa, Freitas, Eduardo, Savarino, Santos, Henrique

Cruzeiro possible starting lineup:
  Cassio; Kaiki, Marcelo, Ze Ivaldo, Furtado, Pereria, Barreal, Silva, Romero, Veron, Gomes

Match Stats: Nilton Santos will be rocking

• Botafogo has won eight of their last ten matches at home (D1 L1).
• Cruzeiro has lost four of their last five games on the road, conceding nine goals.
• Luiz Henrique has scored in consecutive home games for the first time this campaign.

Botafogo Fixtures

• Vs Bahia (H)
• Vs Atletico GO (A)
• Vs Bahia (A)
• Vs Juventude (A)
• Vs Palmeiras (H)

Cruzeiro Fixtures

• Vs Fortaleza (H)
• Vs Atletico MG (H)
• Vs Vitoria (A)
• Vs Internacional (A)
• Vs Atletico GO (H)

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