Atletico Paranense vs Botafogo Prediction & Betting Tips - Brasileirão Serie A

Prediction published on 01/06/2023, 13:40  by Devesh Jaganath in Football Predictions

Eleventh-placed Athletico Paranaense will play host to the Brazilian Serie A leaders Botafogo on Saturday. The visitors currently lead Palmeiras in second by five points, while the hosts are on 12 points, nine behind their opponents. The sides met just 48 hours earlier in Copa do Brazil action, which Botafogo won 1-0. The visitors continued their excellent start to the season by beating America Mineiro 2-0 in their last league match. With that result, Botafogo have now recorded seven wins and just one loss in their first eight league matches this season. Their only loss came in an away match, where they were defeated by Goias last month. The visitors have been very good in defense of late and have kept four clean sheets in their last five matches; however, it should be noted that all of those came in home games. While Botafogo will be full of confidence, given their form this season, they were beaten at this venue last season. 

Meanwhile, Athletico Paranaense have started the season some way from the form that saw them finish sixth last season. The hosts lost their last league match 2-1 against Gremio, and following their midweek loss to this opponent in the cup, they are now on a four-match losing streak in all competitions. In those four matches, they scored just two while conceding seven. Over their last six league games, Athletico Paranaense have won three and lost three and come into this following two consecutive league losses. That loss against Gremio was their first home defeat of the season in four matches. They won each of their previous three. Athletico Paranaense beat this opponent 3-0 in this fixture last season, but they will need to address their recent defensive issues if they are to repeat that result this time around.