Botafogo could move top of the Brasileiro Serie A standings when they journey to the Estadio Manoel Barradas to take on Vitoria on Thursday.
The home side will head into the game looking to get one over the Lone Stars, having failed to win any of their previous six meetings since a narrow 3-2 victory in October 2017.
Match preview
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Vitoria returned to winning ways last Sunday as they held their own to see out a 2-1 victory over Criciuma when the sides squared off at the Estadio Manoel Barradas.
After falling behind to quick-fire goals from Alerrandro and Lucas Esteves, Matheusinho struck just before half time to pull one back for Criciuma, but the home side turned in a solid defensive performance in the second half to see out the win.
This was a much-needed result for Vitoria, who had lost their previous two matches, suffering a 1-0 defeat against Athletico Paranaense on June 30, five days before narrowly losing 3-2 against Corinthians at the Neo Quimica Arena.
With last weekend's result, Thiago Carpini's men have now won three of their last four home matches — scoring eight goals and conceding five — having failed to win any of their previous five in all competitions preceding this run.
Vitoria have won four of their 15 Serie A matches while losing eight and claiming three draws to collect 15 points and sit 15th in the league table but could move level with 12th-placed Atletico Mineiro with all three points on Thursday.
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Botafogo, on the other hand, ensured that they remain within touching distance of league leaders Flamengo as they cruised to a 3-0 victory over 10-man Atletico Mineiro at the Estadio Nilton Santos on Sunday night.
In a game where Igor Rabello received an early bath, Luiz Henrique, Cuiabano and substitute Jefferson Savarino all found the back of the net to hand the home side a comfortable victory.
Botafogo have now gone four consecutive games without defeat — claiming three wins and one draw — and have lost just one of their last 14 matches across all competitions since the first week of May.
With 30 points from 15 matches, Artur Jorge's men are currently second in the Serie A standings, level on points with third-placed Palmeiras and just one point adrift of league leaders Flamengo.
Botafogo will be backing themselves to regain top spot in the table on Thursday as they take on a Vitoria side against whom they are unbeaten in each of their last six meetings, claiming four wins and two draws since a narrow 3-2 loss in October 2017.
Team News
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Vitoria remain without the midfield trio of Caio Vinicius (thigh), Iury Castilho (muscle) and Rodrigo Andrade (knee), who all continue their spells on the sidelines.
They are joined on the club's injury table by 30-year-old defender Camutanga, who is set to sit out his seventh consecutive game after picking up a knee injury in June.
Veteran forward Osvaldo Filho has also missed each of Vitoria's last two matches through a thigh injury and the 37-year-old is out of contention for Thursday's game.
As for Botafogo, Jorge will be unable to name the Brazilian duo of Jeffinho and 33-year-old defender Pablo, who are currently recuperating from knee and thigh injuries respectively.
Former Manchester United man Rafael da Silva will also play no part in Thursday's game as he continues his lengthy spell on the sidelines after suffering a knee injury in April.
Vitoria possible starting lineup:
Arcanjo; Lepo, Uvini, Leonardo, Esteves; Santos; Matheuzinho, Oliveira, Naldi, Janderson; Alerrandro
Botafogo possible starting lineup:
Victor; Suarez, Halter, Barboza, Cuiabano; Gregore, Freitas; Savarino, Eduardo, Henrique; Santos
We say: Vitoria 1-2 Botafogo
Off the back of another fine showing on home turf, Vitoria will head into Thursday's game with confidence as they look to end their winless run against Botafogo. However, given the gulf in quality and experience between the two teams, we predict that Jorge's side will extend their dominance over the hosts.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
Joshua Ojele
