Coritiba vs Botafogo Prediction: Will Botafogo win at last?

Botafogo has dropped to third place after leading the Brasileirão with a considerable advantage in a terrible run of eight games without a win. The Glorioso can still win the title, as both Palmeiras and Flamengo are just one point ahead, but few believe that a return to first place is possible. Coritiba will be playing in the Série B next year, so it could be the ideal opponent for Botafogo to get back to winning ways finally.

The Coxa lost 2-1 at the Maracanã in its last match, putting in an exciting display against Fluminense. Coritiba's major weakness in this Brasileirão has always been its defense, with 69 goals conceded. The 40 goals scored by the team are within the average range, with up to eight teams having a worse goalscoring record. The defeat against Fluminense made the relegation of a club with a history official - Coritiba was the Brazilian champion in 1985. In front of its home crowd, the Coxa will try to bring a little joy to its faithful fans.

Once again, Botafogo let a win slip away in the game's final seconds, this time against the Fish in the last round. In this run of eight games without a victory, the Cariocas conceded goals in injury time against Palmeiras, Bragantino, and Santos, losing five points that are now so sorely missed. The Lone Star must win all three matches and hope that Palmeiras and Flamengo slip up once. It's unlikely, but this year's Brasileirão has been full of surprises. Qualification for the group stage of the Copa Libertadores isn't guaranteed either, as only the top four go straight through. Botafogo has just three points more than Grêmio and Bragantino, which occupy 5th and 6th place, respectively, and it would be disastrous to miss out on the South American competition.

Botafogo has an obligation to beat an opponent that has just been relegated. The Glorioso improved collectively against Santos, but the team's nerves once again proved fatal. It may well be the case that by dropping to third place, the team feels less pressured. There's no longer the fear of losing first place that plagued the team throughout the second half of the season. I will bet on a Botafogo win. It would be somewhat embarrassing for a title challenger not to beat the penultimate-placed team.