Botafogo vs Flamengo Predictions

Thursday’s Brazilian Serie A action sees local rivals Botafogo and Flamengo doing battle at the Estádio Olímpico Nilton Santos. The visitors arrive as big favourites to claim all 3 points and should be able to do so easily.

After a dreadful 4-1 defeat away at Santos at the weekend, it’s clear Botafogo are in big trouble. The side were completely outclassed in said match and a game against Flamengo is truly the last thing they need. Fogo’ were trying to push for a top 6 finish just mere months ago but now find themselves an alarming 2 points above the drop zone with 8 matches left to run.

In their current form, you’d have to say relegation to Serie B is a real possibility and confidence is at rock bottom in home ranks. Overall, they’ve now lost 9 of their last 11 games and having conceded a big average of 2.4 goals a game over their last 5 fixtures, it’s not hard to see where problems have been coming recently.

Meanwhile, Flamengo were fantastic in their own weekend outing, hitting their usual standards to hammer Corinthians 4-1. That win put Jorge Jesus’ men 8 points clear at the top with a staggering 71 points to their name from 30 matches and they’ll be aiming to continue their cruise towards the title on Thursday.

Also into the final of the Copa Libertadores, the power of this Flamengo outfit is there for all to see and they have immense quality all over the pitch. Unbeaten in 21 matches, of which they’ve won 17, the visitors won’t be coming into this game with any sort of apprehension about them and will be fully assured in their ability to claim all 3 points.

Ultimately, although local derbies can typically quite tight and evenly fought affairs, this one looks like being completely one sided and a total mismatch. Man for man, Flamengo are far stronger than Botafogo in every area of the pitch and with the hosts in such a wretched state, an upset just doesn’t look forthcoming.

All things considered, backing Flamengo on the -1 handicap looks a smart way to play as far as the betting is concerned and is something we’re more than happy to do. Flamengo have scored at least twice in 7 of their last 8 matches and with Botafogo taking beating after beating at the moment, a 3-0 margin of away victory could well be on the cards/