This is a big clash in the Brazilian Serie A as Botafogo RJ plays host to Palmeiras on Aug 18th, 2025 (11:30 PM UTC) at Estadio Nilton Santos, Rio de Janeiro. Both teams are positioned at the top of the table, as Botafogo will desperately want to get back at Palmeiras for their heartbreaking extra-time 1-0 defeat in the FIFA Club World Cup not long ago!
This preview will detail everything you'll need to know for this fixture, including head-to-head records, current form, team news, betting tips, and predictions for an important game.
Match Info
- Match: Botafogo RJ vs. Palmeiras
- League: Brasileirão Série A – Round 20
- Date: 18th August 2025
- Kick Off: 11:30 PM (UTC)
- Venue: Estadio Nilton Santos, Rio de Janeiro
- Win Probabilities: Botafogo 30% | Draw 31% | Palmeiras 39%
Botafogo vs. Palmeiras Betting Options
The latest betting odds from our bookmaker suggest a very tightly contested game.
- Botafogo win: 3.40 (30% probability)
- Draw: 3.10 (31% probability)
- Palmeiras win: 2.60 (39% probability)
- Both Teams to Score (BTTS): Yes
According to the odds, Palmeiras should have a little advantage, and the game will be low-scoring.
Head-to-Head Record: Botafogo vs. Palmeiras
Last 5 Matches:
Botafogo Wins: 2
Palmeiras Wins: 1
Draw: 2
Goals Scored (last 6 games since July 2024): Botafogo 8 - 5 Palmeiras
Average Goals per Match: 2.17
One important note is that Botafogo have not lost in their last 3 league matches against Palmeiras; however, Palmeiras will come into this with a psychological advantage after eliminating Botafogo in the Club World Cup.
Botafogo Preview
Season Summary
Botafogo is currently sitting in 5th place in the Serie A table with 29 points, having:
8 wins, 5 draws, 4 losses
Goals scored: 23 (1.35 per match)
Goals conceded: 10 (0.59 per match)
In 2025, Botafogo have a record of 22 wins in all competitions, and they have been professional in every game, regardless of squad rotations and changes.
Star Players
Igor Jesus (Forward): Dangerous forward, with terrific runs behind defenders and in open play.
Kayke Gouvêa Queiroz (Midfield): has scored 3 goals so far this season. He progresses well into the box, arriving late for crosses and counters.
Marlon Freitas (Midfield): The main playmaker on the pitch, with four assists so far, effective at building from deeper areas and surpassing defenders with attacking transitions.
Tactics
Coach Renato Paiva has built a balanced system with:
4-2-3-1 formation
Aggressive pressing at home, particularly in big games
Strong defensively; Botafogo have failed to concede in 7 of their last 10 games
Botafogo are playing well at home with 11 wins, 3 draws, and 1 loss in their last 15 matches at Nilton Santos, and they tend to struggle in matches where they concede first, as they've lost 5 matches this season when they've been down and unable to recover.
Palmeiras Preview
Season Summary
Palmeiras is currently in 3rd place with 36 points, due to:
11 wins 3 draws and 3 losses
23 goals made (1.35 per game)
15 goals conceded (0.88 per game)
In 2025, for all competitions, they have:
30 wins, 11 draws, and 8 losses
79 goals made, 37 conceded
Key Players
Mauricio (Midfield): He is their leading scorer with 5 goals this season.
Raphael Veiga (Midfield): He is their leading creator (not playing due to injury) with 7 assists.
José Manuel López & Vitor Roque (Forwards): They can attack with pace and finish clinically.
Tactical Make-Up
Palmeiras have great tactical discipline and are able to press in structure and can be gritty and grind results out when they are close.
Palmeiras has a good away record too, with 6 wins in their last 8 away matches.
Palmeiras are missing their captain, Gustavo Gómez (suspended), and a few illustrious injured stars (Raphael Veiga and Bruno Rodrigues), which has prompted Ferreira to juggle with the tactics.
Team News
Botafogo
Unavailable Players
Cuiabano, Kaio, Philipe Sampaio, Bastos
Expected XI (4-2-3-1)
John - Mateo Ponte, Barboza, Marçal, Alex Telles, Marlon Freitas, Allan, Matheus Martins, Joaquín Correa, Santiago Rodríguez, and Igor Jesus
Palmeiras
Unavailable Players
Gustavo Gómez (suspended), Raphael Veiga, Paulinho, Bruno Rodrigues
Expected XI (4-2-3-1)
Weverton – Agustín Giay, Micael, Joaquín Piquerez – Aníbal Moreno, Lucas Evangelista – Ramón Sosa, Mauricio, Facundo Torres – José Manuel López / Vitor Roque
Form Guide
Botafogo's Last 5 Games
W L D W D
Botafogo's defense has been exceptional lately, leaking only 3 goals in their last 5 games. The only concern for Botafogo has been scoring, averaging just 1.4 goals per game.
Palmeiras' Last 5 Games
W D W W W
Palmeiras have possessed the attacking prowess in their 5 games, averaging 2 goals, but they have also suffered a few defensive lapses, conceding 6 goals (1.2 per game).
Statistical Notes
Botafogo home record (last 8 matches)—4 wins, 3 draws, and 1 loss
Palmeiras away record (last 8 matches)—6 wins, 1 draw, and 1 loss
Most likely result: Botafogo 1-0 home HT and Palmeiras 2-1 away FT
Under 2.5 goals in games – 70% of Botafogo's matches and 55% of Palmeiras' matches
Both teams to score – BTTS only occurred in 3 of Botafogo's last 13 league matches.
Prediction and Betting Tips
Expert Prediction
This match has all the ingredients for a tactical battle. Palmeiras' defense is weakened without Gustavo Gómez, but Botafogo's lack of finishing quality offsets that slightly.
Most Likely Scoreline: Botafogo 1-0 Palmeiras
Other Prediction: 0-0
Best Betting Picks
Under 2.5 goals
Both Teams to Score – No
Half-Time/Full-Time: Draw / Botafogo
Correct Score Bet: 1-0 Botafogo
Conclusion
The Botafogo vs. Palmeiras match should be tense and very low-scoring, as both teams have solid defenses and effective attacking players. Botafogo will be hoping their home advantage revives their ambitions this year and will want to take revenge for losing the Club World Cup last year, while Palmeiras' experience and disciplined tactics will make them a difficult opponent.
Whether you're taking a stand that Botafogo can sneak a 1-0 win, or you think that Palmeiras will be able to hold on for the draw, it will surely be a classic battle in this Serie A showdown.
