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The action continues in round 20 of Brasileiro Serie A as Botafogo welcome Cruzeiro to the Estádio Nilton Santos on Saturday. Fernando Seabra’s men head into the weekend unbeaten in their last 12 games against the hosts and will be looking to extend this dominant run.
Botafogo were left spitting feathers on Wednesday as they were held to a 2-2 draw by Sao Paulo at the Estádio do Morumbi. Before that, Artur Jorge's side were on a five-game winning streak, scoring eight goals and conceding just once since the start of July.
With 40 points from 19 matches, Botafogo currently lead the way at the top of the Serie A table, three points above second-placed Flamengo.
Cruzeiro, meanwhile, returned to winning ways in style as they edged out 10-man Juventude 2-0 at the Estadio Minerao on Wednesday. This followed a 2-0 loss to Palmeiras at the Allianz Parque on July 21 which saw their three-game winning streak come to an end.
With 32 points from 18 matches, Cruzeiro are currently fifth in the league standings, level on points with sixth-placed Sao Paulo.
Botafogo vs Cruzeiro Head-To-Head and Key Numbers
- With 15 wins from the last 39 meetings between the sides, Cruzeiro holds a slightly superior record in the history of this fixture.
- Botafogo have picked up four fewer wins (11) in that time, while the spoils have been shared on 13 occasions.
- Cruzeiro are on a 12-game unbeaten run against Jorge’s men, claiming four wins and eight draws since a 2-0 loss in September 2016.
- Botafogo are unbeaten in eight consecutive games, claiming six wins and two draws, and have won all but one of their last nine home matches across all competitions since May.
- Cruzeiro have failed to win six of their last seven away matches, losing five and claiming one draw since the start of June.
Botafogo vs Cruzeiro Prediction
While Cruzeiro will be looking to pick up where they dropped off against Juventude, recent results on the road offer little optimism. Botafogo have been near impenetrable at the Estádio Nilton Santos this season and we see them securing all three points in front of their home supporters.
Prediction: Botafogo 2-0 Cruzeiro
Botafogo vs Cruzeiro Betting Tips
Tip 1: Result - Botafogo to win
Tip 2: Over 4.5 cards - Yes (There have been at least five bookings in four of the last five meetings between the two sides)
Tip 3: Over 2.5 goals - No (There have also been fewer than three goals scored in seven of their last nine encounters)
