Gremio and Botafogo will meet in a Brazil Serie A top-two clash on Sunday. Botafogo are top of the Serie A table, seven points ahead of second-placed Gremio.
A win for the hosts would blow the title race wide open.
🧤🇪🇪 pic.twitter.com/lDKaKJQZKm— Grêmio FBPA (@Gremio) July 6, 2023
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A Botafogo win would extend their lead over Gremio and strengthen the Lone Star’s title hopes. Gremio do have recent history on their side.
The Tricolour won their last five games against Botafogo in all competitions.
Gremio are in good form ahead of the visit from Botafogo. They took 15 points from the last 18 points on offer in the league.
Gremio are on a three-game winning streak and are coming off a 2-1 victory over Bahia.
The Tricolour have played well at home, posting a record of 5W-2D-0L and a goal difference of +10. Gremio won each of their last four home fixtures.
Botafogo should be worried about dropping points to Gremio on Sunday. Despite their excellent form, they do not play well against Gremio.
The Lone Star, like Gremio, took 15 points from the last six games. They go into Sunday’s match on a four-game winning streak.
The Lone Star are the best away team in the league, with 12 points from six games. The Rio club are on a two-game away winning streak in the division.
No team in Serie A has conceded fewer goals this season than Botafogo’s seven.
Gremio are a strong team in attack. They recorded 24 goals in the opening 13 rounds of football in Serie A.
Centre-back David Sousa is unlikely to make the Botafogo squad due to a knee injury. Right-back Rafael is also a doubt due to a knee problem. Midfielder Patrick de Paula could miss the game with a leg injury.
The league leaders are led in goals by forward Tinquinho Soares. Soares arrived from Olympiacos in the offseason.
He has 10 goals and four assists, and the forward has scored 45% of the team’s goals. Soares leads Serie A in goals.
Gremio captain Pedro Geromel is nursing a knee injury and may miss the game.
Full-back Fabio is a doubt due to a knee problem, too. Right-winger Jhonata Robert has a knee injury and may miss the game.
Former Liverpool and Barcelona player Luis Suarez is tied for the Gremio lead in goals with four. He has three assists. Offseason signing Franco Cristaldo has four goals.
Gremio have a brilliant historical record against Botafogo and are playing well at home. The Tricolour should post a narrow 2-1 home win to stay in the title race.