Botafogo vs SC Internacional Prediction 20.07.2024

• Competition: Campeonato Brasileiro Serie A
• Date: Saturday, 20th, July 2024
• Kickoff: 22:30 UK / 23.30 CEST
• Venue: Estadio Olimpico Nilton Santos (Rio de Janeiro)

Botafogo RJ will seek to defend their top spot in the Brasileiro table when they play SC Internacional at their Nilton Santos ground on Saturday evening.

Just three years after climbing back into the top division as Brasileiro Serie B champions, Botafogo RJ have established themselves this season as serious contenders for the league title. Although the season is still in its early stages, Fogo have already displayed their championship pedigree by winning 11 of their opening 11 matches, adding three draws along the way to sit atop the league standings, three points clear of their closest title challengers Palmeiras.

Having ended as the second-best team in the 2021-22 season, Internacional delivered a considerably poorer showing under Eduardo Coudet's leadership, wrapping up the previous season in an unsatisfactory ninth position. With the current campaign also heading in the wrong direction, the club's executives lost patience and dismissed the Argentine tactician, appointing Pablo de Toledo as his successor in hopes of turning things around. The 49-year-old is taking over the club at a challenging time, with Colorado sitting in 13th place with 19 points earned, but they have only completed 13 matches due to their involvement on the continental stage.

Botafogo vs SC Internacional Betting Tips: BOTAFOGO TO WIN

Although SC Internacional shouldn't be written off too quickly, Botafogo RJ appear superior in every aspect right now and have every reason to be hopeful about securing all three points. Since falling to a late 1-2 defeat against Criciuma on June 22, Fogo has responded perfectly by adding 16 out of a possible 18 points to their tally and will now be looking for their fifth consecutive win in Saturday's action. Given their current form, the league leaders shouldn't be too concerned about extending their winning run, as their next rival SC Internacional have fallen into serious result trouble, going through seven competitive matches in a row without a win (D3 L4). 

Even the newly appointed coach Pablo de Toledo couldn't turn Colorado's fortunes around, as he first guided them to elimination from Copa do Brasil by drawing 1-1 in the second leg but losing 2-3 on aggregate to Juventude, and then witnessed a narrow 0-1 defeat against Rosario in the first leg of the round of 16 in Copa Sudamericana. With the visitors out of form, Botafogo RJ justifiably holds the status of favorites to extend their triumphant run, and we are confident that the Black and White will rise to the occasion and preserve their top spot in the Brasileiro standings.