Botafogo vs Bangu Prediction: The Glorioso looks to pick up a second win

Botafogo has won the Campeonato Carioca 21 times, most recently in 2018. It's the 4th club with the most state titles, behind Flamengo, Fluminense, and Vasco. After a traumatic season, the Lone Star team will be looking to start the new season with a trophy to cheer up its long-suffering fans. Bangu will be on the other side, a historic club from Rio, which has won the Carioca twice, in 1933 and 1966, but is going through a rough time.

The Glorioso beat Madureira 1-0 at home in its opening game of the Carioca. Tiago Nunes' team even received a few whistles from the fans, who were disappointed with the team's display. The only goal was scored by Jefinho, who returns to the club this year on loan from Olympique Lyon, a club owned by the same man as Botafogo, John Textor. In the opposite direction, Lucas Perri and Adryelson, players who were recently called up to the Brazil national team, have been transferred to Lyon and are two of Botafogo's big losses this season. Lucas Halter, John, and Savarino are the Glorioso's new signings until now. The fans expect another win against Bangu, but the team will have many changes to the starting eleven.

This traditional Rio de Janeiro club has no division to play in Brazil this season. Its last appearance in a national league was in the Série D in 2021. The Carioca is, therefore, Bangu's only chance of being in the limelight. In Round 1, the side started with a 1-0 defeat away to Portuguesa RJ, in a lackluster display from the Beaver. Against Botafogo, the Bangu players will surely want to make a name for themselves against a famous opponent.

Botafogo is the clear favorite for this match, even though coach Tiago Nunes assumed changes to the starting eleven to manage the players' workload, as they are only at the beginning of the season. Botafogo's victory has low odds, so I will take more risk by betting on the home team winning without conceding a goal.