Table-topping Botafogo could be leapfrogged by Athletico Paranaense in the Brasileiro standings in Wednesday's round 10 fixture at Estadio Olimpico Nilton Santos.
While two points separate the hosts and their opponents, the former head into this week's encounter in superior form, possibly giving them the edge.
Match preview
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Botafogo may have wobbled at the start of May, but O Glorioso have responded impressively to head to the top of the Brasileiro since that two-match winless run.
A 2-1 home loss to Bahia was followed by a 1-1 draw at Fortaleza seven days later, but Fogo have followed one point in six with nine from nine, causing their rise to first spot.
Artur Jorge's men seek a fourth league win on the trot, a feat the club have not managed in the competition since July 2023, when they clinched six consecutive triumphs.
Fogo have gone close once this term, having defeated Atletico Goianiense (1-0), Juventude (5-1) and Flamengo (2-0) before suffering the 2-1 home defeat at the hands of third-placed Bahia.
The form table favours Jorge's side heading into Wednesday's gameweek 10 fixture, and the Portuguese manager aims to avoid a similar fate against their fourth-placed opponents.
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Athletico Paranaense have responded to their 1-0 loss at Fortaleza to claim four points from the next available six, seeing them remain in fourth.
That 1-0 loss followed two consecutive Copa Sudamericana defeats by Danubio (2-1) and Sportivo Ameliano (1-0), seeing Furacao lose top spot in their group after claiming four wins from as many games.
Cuca hopes the recovery from three consecutive losses in all competitions is not short-lived as they travel to Rio de Janeiro in midweek, keen to prevent their opponents from winning four on the trot.
Success for Paranaense could see them leapfrog Botafogo, even if that requires Flamengo and Bahia to slip up in their fixtures. On the other hand, defeat for Cuca's team could bring about a slide to seventh if results elsewhere go against them.
However, supporters will doubt their team's chances owing to three winless road fixtures in four this term, with Furacao's only victory coming at Palmeiras on May 12.
Team News
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Botafogo's Jefferson Savarino is away with the Venezuela squad for the imminent Copa America, while Tiquinho Soares is absent for personal reasons.
Missing for Fogo because of injury are Jeffinho, Pablo Nascimento Castro, Matheus Nascimento (all thigh issues), Fernando Marcal (calf) and Rafael da Silva (knee).
Athletico Paranaense goalkeeper Bento and attacking midfielder Agustin Canobbio are with the Brazil and Uruguay squads, respectively, for the Copa America. Substitute goalkeeper Mycael is suspended after his late sending-off in the Flamengo draw.
Former Manchester City player Fernandinho thought his 92nd-minute goal had won the game last time out, and the experienced midfielder should feature this week.
Without Canobbio, scorer of two goals this term, Cuca's men will lean on Gonzalo Mastriani (three goals) and Pablo Felipe Teixeira (two) to take responsibility for the away side.
Botafogo possible starting lineup:
Victor; Suarez, Halter, Bastos, Cuiabano; Freitas, Gregore; Henrique, Romero, Tche; Santos
Athletico Paranaense possible starting lineup:
Linck; Madson, Rocha, Heleno, Equivel; Fernandinho, Felipinho; Nikao, Erick, Christian; Mastriani
We say: Botafogo 1-1 Athletico Paranaense
Recent encounters between these clubs in all competitions have gone Athletico Paranaense's way, with Botafogo claiming one win in the Copa do Brasil round of 16 second leg — a tie Athletico ultimately claimed on penalties.
While their last league victory in this fixture came in July 2022, Fogo's recent form heading into this week's match suggests a tie could be in the offing with little separating both sides.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
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