At 08:30 on August 22nd, the South American Libertadores Cup will see a Round of 16 second leg clash as Palmeiras host Botafogo. In the first leg, Botafogo secured a 2-1 victory at home, putting them in a strong position.
Palmeiras currently sit third in the Brazilian Serie A with a record of 12 wins, 5 draws, and 6 losses, accumulating 41 points. They are 5 points behind league leaders Botafogo and remain a strong contender. They have scored 31 goals in 23 matches, demonstrating a potent attack. Defensively, they have only conceded 19 goals, highlighting their solid defensive foundation.
In their last 5 matches, Palmeiras have remained unbeaten with 2 wins and 2 draws, except for a 1-2 defeat against Botafogo. Their form is impressive, and securing an away goal in the first leg gives them a chance for a comeback. They will aim to leverage their home advantage to turn the tie around.
In terms of injuries, Palmeiras are relatively unscathed. However, the absence of Dudu and Meke due to calf injuries will be a slight setback. Rodrigues is set to return.
Botafogo are currently topping the league with a record of 14 wins, 4 draws, and 5 losses, amassing 46 points. However, their position isn’t secure as Fortaleza are just one point behind in second place, while the third and fourth-placed teams are only 5 points adrift. Botafogo cannot afford to be complacent in the league. Their attack is potent, having scored 41 goals in 23 matches. However, they have conceded 24 goals, which is concerning for a team of their caliber. An average of over one goal conceded per match suggests defensive vulnerabilities.
The team has been facing a demanding schedule, playing 6 games in 3 weeks, starting from the last day of July. This grueling schedule has impacted their fitness levels, which could be a major factor in this match. Conceding an away goal in the first leg might turn out to be a crucial disadvantage, and they need to be defensively vigilant.
Botafogo are also facing a severe injury crisis, with 6 players on the sidelines. Santos, Eduardo, Benítez, Nascimento, and Silva will miss the match, while Pablo is only recently back in training and will take some time to return to full fitness.
In their last 10 encounters, Botafogo have a slight edge with 4 wins, 1 draw, and 5 losses. Both teams are evenly matched. While Palmeiras are currently in better form, Botafogo are struggling with fitness issues. Despite the first-leg lead, Botafogo will need to be wary of Palmeiras’ offensive dominance.
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