The Brazilian Serie A season continues this week and on the 16th of June we have a meeting between Botafogo and São Paulo.
The match will be played at the Estádio Nilton Santos and the hosts begin this round of fixtures in 17th place on 12 points while the visitors are in 3rd place on 18 points.
Botafogo come into the game on the back of a 1-0 defeat at home against Avai. The only goal of the match was scored in the 45th minute and Botafogo could not find the equaliser in the second half.
That result means Botafogo have failed to win any of their last 5 fixtures, all of which have been in Serie A.
Botafogo have suffered 4 straight defeats, in addition to the loss at home against Avai, there have been defeats at Coritiba and Palmeiras plus a loss at home against Goiás.
Botafogo have picked up just 1 point from their last 5 league games, with the draw coming at América Mineiro on the 22nd of May.
Trends show Botafogo have won just 1 of their last 6 matches in Serie A and that came at home against Fortaleza.
Botafogo have recorded only 1 win from their 5 most recent home Serie A matches and picked up only 2 victories from their last 16 league games on soil.
São Paulo make the trip to the Estádio Nilton Santos having previously recorded a 1-0 victory over América Mineiro.
The only goal of the game was scored in the 34th minute and São Paulo managed to keep the opposition at bay for the remainder of the match.
That win means São Paulo are undefeated in their last 15 fixtures in all competitions, which is an impressive record.
They are undefeated in their 9 most recent Serie A matches but have not found wins easy to come by in recent league games. In fact, São Paulo have won only 1 of their 5 most recent Serie A fixtures, drawing the other 4 matches.
Away form in Serie A shows São Paulo are a tough team to beat on the road but they are not winning games. São Paulo have been held in each of their last 5 away Serie A matches and the score has been identical in all 5 games, ending 1-1.
Team news and Botafogo will be without suspended defender Renzo Saravia. Diego Gonçalves and Gustavo Sauer are both on the treatment table.
São Paulo are without midfielder Alisson who has a knee problem. They also have doubts over the fitness of Nikão and Gabriel Sara.
One glance at the away league record of São Paulo gives some indication of what to expect in this game.
The visitors are unlikely to lose but have been struggling to win on the road, meaning we expect to see a draw. They have seen a 1-1 final score in each of their last 5 away Serie A matches, so we could see more of the same in this fixture.