Surprise high-flyers Botafogo will travel to mid-table Coritiba on Sunday hoping to continue their impressive start to the Brazilian Serie A season.
Sitting inside the Copa Libertadores positions, Botafogo will be keen to maintain their lofty position in the table, with opponents Coritiba also targeting a continental position.
Match preview
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Three wins, three draws and only one defeat this season represents one of the best records for any Serie A side so far, with Botafogo sitting comfortably in fifth heading into the weekend.
Their only defeat in the top-flight this season came on the opening day of the Serie A campaign, when Botafogo succumbed to leaders Corinthians.
Since then, their almost impeccable form has catapulted Botafogo into continental contention in their first season back in the top-flight.
Relegated to Serie B at the end of the 2020 campaign, Botafogo bounced back immediately by winning the second tier title.
Similarly to their weekend opponents, Coritiba were also promoted from the second tier last season and they have also started the campaign in comfortable fashion.
Taking 10 points from a possible 21 so far in Serie A, Coritiba will be keen to continue their charge up the table, even if recent form has been a little shaky for the Glorioso.
Three defeats from their last four games across all competitions has dented an otherwise strong start to the season, with the hosts hoping to bounce back this weekend.
However, history sits on the side of the visitors in this clash, as Botafogo have gone unbeaten in the last eight meetings between the pair.
Such a run includes three straight victories, with Coritiba hoping to avoid a fourth defeat this weekend and secure their first win over Botafogo since October 2014.
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Team News
Despite their strong performances, Coritiba will enter the weekend's clash without key personnel in their ranks as both Henrique and Luciano Castan are currently serving suspensions for the home side.
Elsewhere for Coritiba, Thonny Anderson is nursing a foot problem and will not be involved on Sunday, whereas a broken leg is keeping Natanael out of contention.
Much like their hosts, Botafogo are also struggling for numbers, with Gustavo Sauer set to miss the clash this weekend.
A slight illness could mean that Chay is unavailable for the visitors, with Philipe Sampaio and Carlinhos struggling with injuries.
Coritiba possible starting lineup:
Muralha; Alexandre, de Los, Biro, Egidio; Andrey, Farias; Manga, Robinho, Paixao; Gamalho
Botafogo possible starting lineup:
Fernandez; Saravia, Kanu, Cuesta, Borges; Tche. Oyama; Sa, Paula, Goncalves; Erison
We say: Coritiba 1-2 Botafogo
Botafogo have impressed so far this season and they will be hoping to continue their form when they travel to Coritiba on Sunday.
The hosts have also caught the eye so far, but it is unlikely that they will manage to take any points off the Libertadores chasing Botafogo.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
Top tip
Amos Murphy
