Atlético Goianiense vs Botafogo Prediction: Botafogo must defeat Atlético Goianiense

With 40 points, Botafogo shares the Brasileirão lead with Flamengo after 20 rounds. Tite's team has the advantage due to a superior goal difference but will have a tricky game with São Paulo at the Morumbi. Botafogo must beat the last-placed team because it has the better players, and the chances of finishing the round alone in the first place are high.

The Dragon drew 1-1 at home to Vasco da Gama in the first leg of the Copa do Brasil Round of 16. Vagner Mancini's side conceded the equalizer in the 88th minute and complicated its chances of qualifying for the quarter-finals. With this result, the Goianos extended their run of games without a win to twelve. In the Brasileirão, Atlético is bottom of the table with just twelve points, five points behind the nearest team, Fluminense. After losing 2-0 to Flamengo in the last round, the Goiânia side will have another challenging game against Botafogo.

The Glorious also drew 1-1 at home in the Copa do Brasil. Botafogo didn't have a good game against Bahia and will have to win in Salvador next week to continue in the competition. The Cariocas haven't won in three games and are going through the worst period since Artur Jorge took charge of the team. In the last round of the Brasileirão, Botafogo played its worst game of the season and lost 3-0 at home against Cruzeiro. The team needs to react, and Atlético Goianiense seems to be the ideal opponent to break this negative streak.

Despite the bad run of form, Botafogo has the best chance of winning the game. The Cariocas haven't won in three matches, but Atlético Goianiense haven't won in 12. If Botafogo dreams of the title, it can't afford to waste points against the weakest team in the competition. The odds indicate slight favoritism for Botafogo, so the risk/reward ratio is attractive. I will bet, therefore, on Botafogo winning.