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.
Sao Paulo's Strong Defense
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's Recent Struggles
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.
Botafogo's Knock Out Struggles
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).
Injuries Impact Both Sides
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.
Possible Starting Lineups
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.
What to Watch For
Sao Paulo will be hoping to use their home advantage to get a result. They are currently sitting fifth in the Brasileiro Serie A standings and will be looking to make a push for the title.
Botafogo, meanwhile, are on a roll in the league, and they will be confident of getting a result at Morumbi. They have a strong attack, led by Junior Santos, and will be looking to exploit any defensive weaknesses in the Sao Paulo backline.
Prediction
Botafogo are the favorites to win this match. They are the more consistent team, and they have a strong attack. However, Sao Paulo is a dangerous team at home, and they will be looking to get a result.
Prediction: Sao Paulo 1-2 Botafogo
Tips
Tip 2: Game to have over 2.5 goals – Yes
Tip 3: Botafogo to score first – Yes
Tip 4: Sao Paulo to score - Yes
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
Final Thoughts
This is a must-watch match for any fan of South American football. Two of the best teams in Brazil are set to clash, and the winner will advance to the Copa Libertadores semi-finals. Botafogo will be looking to make history, while Sao Paulo will be looking to continue their strong run in the competition. Who will come out on top? Only time will tell.
