On Monday night, Rio rivals Botafogo and Fluminense clash in the Brazilian Carioca Serie A semi-final first leg, with both teams looking for a first-leg advantage to take into the second instalment in just under a week.
Botafogo head into this clash on the back of an inconsistent recent run of form in the Carioca. In fact, the boys from the capital have won just two of their last five games in the competition, eventually finishing fourth in the standings.
O próximo jogo do Fluminense é na segunda-feira, contra o Botafogo, pela semifinal do Carioca. pic.twitter.com/HM2gJY8JdL— Fluminense F.C. 🇭🇺 (@FluminenseFC) March 17, 2022
O próximo jogo do Fluminense é na segunda-feira, contra o Botafogo, pela semifinal do Carioca. pic.twitter.com/HM2gJY8JdL
One facet of their game that has remained consistent of late in the competition is their eye for goal, as Botafogo have scored at least two goals in four of their last five matches in the Brazil Campeonato Carioca.
Botafogo have also been strong on home soil in the competition, winning five of their last six matches on home soil, while scoring at least two goals in all five victories.
The recent history of this fixture is very much on the side of the home team, as Botafogo have failed to win any of the last seven meetings with Fluminense, suffering five defeats in the process.
Fluminense finished top of the standings in the regular Campeonato Carioca campaign.
The team, co-coached by Abel Braga and Alexsander are currently ten games unbeaten in the competition, having recorded nine wins in the process.
A 0-0 draw in their last match in the Carioca against Boavista ended a nine-game winning streak.
Fluminense have built their recent good run of results on a formidable defensive record, as they have kept clean sheets in six straight matches in the competition.
Fluminense are also unbeaten in five matches in the Campeonato Carioca on their travels, having recorded four wins in the process.
Forebet predicts that Fluminense will record a victory in a high-scoring encounter to take into the second leg.