There is a full selection of matches in the 2019 Campeonato Brasileiro Serie A this week and the actions begins on Wednesday 12th June. Botafogo welcome Gremio to the Estádio Nilton Santos in Rio de Janeiro in the first match of the week.
The hosts start this game in 4th place and a win could see them move above Santos and Atletico Mineiro into second place. Gremio begin this round of fixtures in 13th place with 8 points to their name and need a win to move away from the relegation zone.
Botafogo come into this game having defeated CSA 2-1 away from home on the weekend. They fell 1-0 behind just after the hour but scored two late goals, with the winner coming in the 94th minute to seal maximum points.
It was their fourth win in succession in all competitions. Botafogo defeated Sol de America both home and away in the Copa Sudamerica and beat Vasco da Gama 1-0 at home in Serie A. In fact, Botafogo have lost only one of their last eight games in all competitions, winning the other seven.
They have won five of their last six Serie A matches and each of the last seven at home. The home wins have come against Corinthians, Flamengo, Internacional, Parana, Bahia, Fortaleza and Vasco da Gama.
Trends show under 2.5 goals have been seen in fifteen of their last twenty home league games including six of the last nine.
Gremio travel to Rio having defeated Fortaleza 1-0 at home last time out. That result means they have won three of their last four matches in all competitions. The additional victories have come against Atletico Mineiro at home in Serie A and Juventude at home in the Copa do Brasil. The defeat was away from home at Bahia, with the final score 1-0.
The main issue for Gremio has been playing away from home in Serie A. Trends show they have won just one of their last ten on the road in Brazil. They have lost each of the last two and scoring goals has been a problem as they have failed to score in four of their last six on the road.
Trends show Gremio have seen under 2.5 goals in twelve of their last thirteen away league matches.
Team news and the only possible absentee for Botafogo is Jonathan Silva Vieira who has been struggling with an abdominal injury. Alex Santana is their major attacking threat from midfield.
Gremio will be without Walter Kannemann who has a back injury. They also have doubts over the fitness of several players including Bruno Cortês, Paulo Miranda, Marcelo Oliveira, Vinícius Lima and Michel.
Botafogo will be confident of taking maximum points from this match. It could be a tight game, with under 2.5 goals but the hosts should take advantage of Gremio’s poor away form to emerge with the victory.