Botafogo Welcomes Atlético-MG for Crucial Brasileirão Match with Playoff Stakes

Botafogo will face Atlético Mineiro on Saturday at Estádio Nilton Santos for Matchday 24 of the Brasileirão, 90min reports. The match will begin at 6:30 p.m. local time.

Botafogo, managed by Davide Ancelotti, comes into the match after a 3-3 draw with Mirassol, where they let a three-goal lead slip away. With 36 points, they are in fifth place and looking to solidify their top position. Atlético Mineiro, on the other hand, is sitting in 13th place with 25 points, having just drawn 2-2 against Bolívar in the Copa Sudamericana quarterfinals.

In their historical matchups, the two teams have met 86 times: Botafogo has won 37, Atlético has 28 wins, and there have been 21 draws. Their most recent game was in April, which Atlético won 1-0. In the last five encounters, both teams have secured two wins, with one match ending in a draw.

Botafogo will be without goalkeeper Neto for the remainder of the season, along with Arthur Cabral, Bastos, Nathan Fernandes, and Artur. The expected lineup is: Léo Linck; Vitinho, Kaio, Barboza, Alex Telles; Newton (Danilo), Marlon Freitas; Jeffinho, Savarino, Montoro (Santi Rodríguez); Chris Ramos.

Atlético Mineiro will miss Tomás Cuello, who is out for the year due to a fractured fibula and torn ankle ligaments, as well as Saravia, Patrick, and Cadu. Their likely lineup under Jorge Sampaoli includes: Everson; Natanael, Lyanco, Junior Alonso, Guilherme Arana; Alan Franco, Alexsander, Gustavo Scarpa, Hulk, Reinier; Rony.