On Wednesday, Botafogo can move into the Copa Libertadores semi-finals for the first time in over 60 years when they travel to Morumbi to face Sao Paulo in the second leg of that tie.
We saw another sound defensive performance from Sao Paulo in the opening leg of this tie last week, maintaining a seventh clean sheet in nine Libertadores encounters this year.
Luis Zubeldia's men have yet to concede a goal at home in this competition, going unbeaten at Morumbi in their four Libertadores contests played there this year.
Sao Paulo have not made the Copa Libertadores semi-finals since 2016, falling to Atletico Nacional at that stage, 4-1 on aggregate.
Their last two home matches across all competitions have ended in defeat, with Soberano losing 3-1 to Internacional domestically this past weekend.
They have not lost consecutive competitive fixtures across all competitions since following up a 1-0 defeat to Atletico Mineiro in late August with a 2-0 loss at Fluminense at the beginning of this month.
Tricolor Paulista have not lost a quarter-final home fixture in the Libertadores since Cruzeiro beat them in this round, 2-0, back in 2009.
The knockout portion of this tournament has proven to be quite challenging for the current Brasileiro Serie A leaders Botafogo, who failed to win last week for the third time in their previous four matches at this tournament.
While they have not conceded in three successive Libertadores affairs, Artur Jorge's men have only netted one goal over that stretch.
Their current unbeaten run sits at eight matches across all competitions, following a 1-0 victory over Fluminense on Sunday, putting them three points clear of Palmeiras at the top of the Brasileiro Serie A table.
Fogo have only suffered one defeat away from home at the Libertadores this year (1-0 versus LDU Quito), winning only once as the visitors in this competition (1-0 over Universitario).
You have to go back to 1963 for the previous time they made the semi-finals of this tournament, losing their last Libertadores quarter-final tie to Gremio in 2017, 1-0 on aggregate after the opener ended in a 0-0 draw.
O Glorioso are unbeaten in their last seven matches versus Sao Paulo across all competitions, with their previous victory at Morumbi occurring in the 2022 top-flight campaign (1-0).
A trio of players will probably be sidelined for Sao Paulo on Wednesday, as Pablo Maia, Ferreira and Moreira are all dealing with thigh injuries.
Alisson will miss this encounter due to a broken ankle, and Patryck continues to recover from a shoulder injury, which will likely keep him out until early October.
Jonathan Calleri leads them with four goals at the Libertadores this year, while Rafael made six saves in the opening leg to collect his sixth clean sheet of the tournament.
In the opening game of this tie, thigh injuries kept Matheus Nascimento, Pablo, and Cuiabano on the sidelines and neither are expected to feature in this match.
Rafael da Silva and Jeffinho will probably miss this upcoming fixture as well because of knee injuries, with an expected return in early October.
John only had to make one stop between the sticks in leg one of this tie, collecting his third clean sheet of the Libertadores this year, while Junior Santos remains on top of the goalscoring table, with nine in the competition.
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Botafogo vs Sao Paulo Prediction
Fogo have won countless one-goal games in the Brazilian top-flight this season, and we trust their consistency against Brasileiro opposition will continue in midweek and carry them into the final four of this tournament.
Botafogo vs Sao Paulo Betting Tips
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
Tip 1: Result – Botafogo
Tip 2: Game to have over 2.5 goals – Yes
Tip 3: Botafogo to score first – Yes
Tip 4: Sao Paulo to score - Yes
Botafogo vs Sao Paulo: Key Insights
Sao Paulo returned from Rio de Janeiro with a goalless draw in the first leg. Coach Luis Zubeldía believes it will be anybody's game in the return leg. Sao Paulo were also criticised for being too defensive in the first leg, but that could change in the second leg.
Tricolor Paulista have won the competition thrice, with their last triumph coming in 2005. They are making a return to the Copa Libertadores after a three-year absence. Sao Paulo are fifth in the Brasileiro Serie A on 44 points, 14 points behind leaders Botafogo.
Botafogo, meanwhile, failed to make the most of their home advantage in the first leg, mainly due to sloppy finishing. They were widely tipped to win the first leg by a comfortable scoreline, but Sao Paulo held their own.
Fogo mustn't be underestimated though, as they are enjoying a purple patch in the league, sitting atop the standings with 56 points. They are unbeaten in eight matches across competitions, winning five. Botafogo, who are yet to win the title, returned to the competition this year after their last appearance in 2017.
Sao Paulo will strive to avoid the mistakes of Botafogo by making sure their home advantage count in the second leg.
Botafogo boast a squad made up of creative players and have the potential to decide the outcome of the tie. Botafogo come in as the favourites based on their superior recent form and momentum and should take a narrow win.
