Brasileirao 2023, it’s the turn of leaders Botafogo. Lage’s Bianconeri visit a convalescent Santos: news and predictions.
Proceeding at cruising speed is Botafogo, who have been looking down on everyone in the Brasileirao for months. Botafogo’s performance has not even been affected by the recent change in the bench, made necessary after the departure of Luis Castro, who accepted Cristiano Ronaldo’s offer from Al-Nassr and flew to Saudi Arabia.
His successor, former Wolverhampton man Bruno Lage, has, for the time being, managed not to make him regret it. Botafogo continue to rack up victory after victory, widening the gap on their rivals day after day. It is now six consecutive successes for the leaders, who were also involved in the play-offs for access to the round of 16 of the Copa Sudamericana this week. Lage’s men only needed a 1-1 draw against Patronato, who were beaten 2-0 in the first leg, to qualify. The objective now is to keep the distance intact from the chasing Flamengo, who were engaged a day earlier against America Mineiro. With an eleven-point lead over the second-placed team, Botafogo should secure yet another victory, the sixth away, against a dangerous Santos. Paulo Turra’s men have the edge at home, but the fact that they have lost four of their last five matches does not instil confidence on the eve of their match with the tournament’s most in-form team.
Brasileirao 2023: Bragantino want to return to winning ways
One of Botafogo’s most recent ‘victims’ was Bragantino, who were forced to raise the white flag against Lage’s Bianconeri (2-0).
Bragantino evangelist in action
Seventh in the standings, Bragança Paulista’s club is one of this season’s surprises, thanks to their excellent home performance: the red and whites have won four of their last five matches in front of their fans and should repeat that performance against Internacional, who have so far recorded mixed results away from home (2 wins, 2 draws and 4 defeats). Athletico Paranaenese, finalists of the last Copa Libertadores, will be looking for another positive result. Those times are long gone for the Rossoneri, who in the championship for now have to be content with eighth place. In the last round they got the better of Bahia (2-0), archiving defeats against Fortaleza in the Brasileirao and those in the national cup against Flamengo. Athletico will most likely obtain a positive result against a Vasco da Gama in crisis and unable to break away from last place. Cruzeiro, who are on a four-goal winning streak, will also avoid defeat: Goias have lost three times in the last four rounds, their haemorrhage halted by a 0-0 draw with Atletico Mineiro.
Possible winners
- Botafogo (in Santos-Botafogo, 9pm)
- RB Bragantino (in RB Bragantino-Internacional, 21:00)
- Cruzeiro or draw (in Cruzeiro-Goias, 21:00)
- Athletico Paranaense or draw (in Vasco da Gama-Athletico Paranaense, 23:30)