Santos welcome Botafogo to the Estadio Urbano Caldeira for a Brazilian Serie A fixture, with both sides still searching for consistency early in the season. Neither defence has shown much solidity lately and Sunday's clash looks set to produce goals.
Santos head into this match following a 1-0 win away in the league at Vitoria, with Guilherme’s first half effort proving the difference. That was only their second win of the season, although it does not improve their situation as they remain in the relegation zone.
The struggles continued in midweek as Santos suffered a 3-1 defeat to RB Leipzig in a friendly. Defending remains a problem for Cleber Xavier’s men, who are without a clean sheet in eight of their 10 league matches while they have been level at the break in four of their last five fixtures.
It has not been the best title defence for Botafogo, who are currently in the bottom half of the table. They did play out a 0-0 draw at Flamengo in their previous Serie A fixture and claimed a 1-0 victory over Universidad de Chile in a midweek CONMEBOL Libertadores clash.
Botafogo's away form has been one of the issues this season as they are without a win on their travels in the league, with three of their five fixtures on the road producing halftime draws. However, the champions are without a clean sheet in seven of their last eight away matches in all competitions.
How the bookies view it: Little to separate them
There is little to separate both teams among the bookies with a Santos victory priced at 6/4 with BoyleSports, who are also offering odds of 7/4 for a Botafogo win. A draw is set at odds of 19/10 with BoyleSports.
Head to head: Santos on top
Santos have a 20-12 advantage with 13 draws from 45 previous matches against Botafogo. Both teams have drawn their last two meetings, playing out a 2-2 scoreline in the most recent clash at Estadio Urbano Caldeira.
Players to watch: Eyes on the attacks
Neymar is fit and available for Santos and often offers a different dimension to their attack. He could combine with Guilherme, who was on target last time out and both men could help the hosts produce over 0.5 goals at 1/3 with BoyleSports.
Igor Jesus has three Serie A goals for Botafogo and has also been on target in three of the last four matches in all competitions. He could combine with Artur, who has found the net in two of the last three matches and both men can produce over 0.5 goals for the visitors at 4/11 with BoyleSports.
Probable lineups
Santos will be without Diego Pituca, Joao Schmidt and Aderian Silva due to injuries. However, Neymar, Augusto and Deivid Washington are set to retain their places in the lineup.
Jefferson Savarino, Matheus Martins and Gonzalo Mastriani are unavailable for Botafogo due to injuries. However, Alexander Barboza, Artur and Jesus are all available and expected to feature.
Santos: Brazao, Godoy, Basso, Peres, Souza, Rincon, Ze Rafael, Rollheiser, Neymar, Guilherme, Washington
Botafogo: Victor, Telles, Barboza, Jair, Vitinho, Freitas, Gregore, Cuiabano, Barbosa, Artur, Jesus
Anything else catch the eye?
Both teams have scored in their last two meetings and a repeat can be considered at 10/11 on BoyleSports. Three of the last five meetings have produced over 2.5 goals, which is priced at 13/10 with BoyleSports.
There have been goals in each half in the last five matches between both teams and a similar outcome is priced at 11/10 with BoyleSports. Four of Santos’ last five Serie A matches have produced halftime draws, which is priced at 20/23 with BoyleSports.
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