Criciuma vs Botafogo Predictions

• Criciuma are on a run of two victories in their last 11 games
• League leaders Botafogo have won six of their nine Serie A outings
• Three of Criciuma’s last four home fixtures have ended in defeat

Struggling Criciuma must improve home form

Criciuma’s return to Serie A has not gone too well, and although a 2-1 victory against Atletico Goianiense in mid-week suggests they may be acclimatising to the division, they have picked up just nine of an available 24 points.

One of the reasons behind their lowly position in the table is a miserable record at Estádio Heriberto Hülse, where they have drawn twice and lost twice in four outings.

Indeed, even at this early stage in the campaign, Cláudio Tencati’s side are one of only two teams yet to win at home this season, while they head into this clash having been beaten in five of their last seven outings at all venues.

Botafogo leading the way

Their opponents Botafogo are not having the same problems, with a run of three victories from their last four league outings leaving them in top spot in the Serie A table, and dreaming of a first title since 1995.

No team in the division has scored more than their 17 goals, and nearly half of those have come in their five away fixtures, where they have won three times and drawn once.

The most recent of those was a 2-1 success at Gremio, which was followed by a 1-1 home stalemate against Athletico Paranaense, and they will be confident of extending their good form in this fixture.

I predict that Botafogo will win, with 2-1 to the visitors my correct score prediction.