SAO Paulo vs Botafogo Prediction & Betting Tips - Brasileirão Serie A

Prediction published on 17/08/2023, 14:58  by Sridhar in Football Predictions

The struggling Sao Paulo will hope to take confidence from their midweek Cup success as they host table toppers Botafogo. This Brasileirão matchday 20 will be played at the Morumbi Stadium on Saturday. The hosts are 9th in the standings with 27 points and four behind top-six while the visitors are top with 47 points and 13 adrift of their nearest challengers. Sao Paulo had a 2-0 win over Corinthians in the midweek Cup game, continuing their impressive run in that competition. Yet, it is the league form that should worry the hosts. They are outside the top-six spots and haven’t won in four league games – drawing and losing two each. Going back a bit further, Sao Paulo have won just three of their last 11 league games. Surprisingly, their home form remains impressive with seven wins out of ten home league games this campaign although two of those non-wins have come in their last two games.

Leaders Botafogo had no midweek clashes to worry about, keeping them fresh for this match. Their league form has been in line with their status as league leaders – eight wins and two draws across their last ten matches. It is their mean defence that continues to pack a punch – Botafogo’s 11 goals is the least conceded this campaign. That is reflected in their away form as Botafogo have conceded just two goals across their last five road trips in the league. This sequence saw them win three and draw two matches, thanks to a run of four clean sheets in five home league games.