Palmeiras v Botafogo – Line-ups, stats and preview
Palmeiras take on Botafogo RJ this coming Saturday at the FIFA Club World Cup.
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Palmeiras v Botafogo match preview
Palmeiras and Botafogo RJ meet in an all-Brazilian Club World Cup last-16 clash in Philadelphia.
Palmeiras made it through as Group A winners after beating Al Ahly and drawing with both Inter Miami and Porto, while Botafogo finished as runners up in Group B after beating Seattle and – surprisingly – European champions PSG.
The sides met in last year’s Copa Libertadores, with Botafogo winning 4-3 on aggregate.
The winners will move on to face either Chelsea or Benfica in a quarter-final.
Palmeiras v Botafogo team news
Palmeiras defender Murilo has a thigh injury he picked up against Inter Miami and is likely to miss out.
Keep an eye on winger Estevao – who is set to join Chelsea later this summer – while former West Ham man Felipe Anderson could be a weapon from the bench.
Botafogo will hope that striker Igor Jesus can continue to shine as he is linked with a summer move to the Premier League.
Full-back Vitinho has a thigh injury but should be cleared to start.
Palmeiras v Botafogo expected line-ups
Palmeiras: Weverton; Rocha, Gomez, Fuchs, Piquerez; Rios, Moreno; Estevao, Veiga, Torres; Roque
Botafogo: John; Vitinho, Cunha, Barboza, Telles; Gregore, Allan, Freitas; Artur, Jesus, Savarino
How to watch Palmeiras v Botafogo
Prediction
This all-Brazilian clash will be tight and could even go all the way to penalties.
We are backing Botafogo to just come out on top – perhaps in extra time.
Palmeiras 1-2 Botafogo