Fluminense vs Botafogo Prediction: The Grandpa Classic closes the Carioca league stage

A Rio de Janeiro derby at the Maracanã is always an attractive event, but this one, in specific, has the importance of being played in the closing round of the Copa Guanabara, the Carioca league stage, and of deciding the future of the two clubs in the competition. The Grandpa Classic is the oldest in Brazilian football, with the teams having met for the first time in 1905 in a friendly match that Fluminense won 6-0. Fluminense has won 125 of the 340 meetings between the two clubs against Botafogo's 112. The classic has ended in a draw 103 times.

This week, the Tricolor won another international trophy, the Recopa Sudamericana, after a 2-0 victory over Liga de Quito. After a 1-0 defeat in Ecuador, two goals from Jhon Arias turned the first-leg result around and secured Fluminense's first-ever conquest of this competition. Fluminense is high on confidence going into the Carioca's final round. Fernando Diniz's side is already qualified but could finish in fourth place if it loses to Botafogo and consequently play an unwanted match against Flamengo in the semi-finals. First place and winning the Guanabara Cup is unlikely, not just because of the three-point deficit against rivals Flamengo, but because of the 11 goals Fluminense must cancel out.

The Lone Star team also played an international match this week, a Copa Libertadores qualifying round. Botafogo hosted and beat Bolivia's Aurora 6-0. In the final qualifying round for the group stage, Botafogo will face RB Bragantino, with the first leg taking place next week. In the Carioca, Botafogo is in fifth place, therefore out of a place in the semi-finals, and needs to triumph, hoping that Vasco da Gama doesn't win against Portuguesa RJ. A draw is not enough for the Glorioso.

Botafogo is in an adverse position going into the final round of the Carioca league stage. The players will be under pressure and keep facing a lot of instability. Fabio Matias is the interim coach until the club finds a replacement for Tiago Nunes. The 6-0 win over Aurora has improved the team's confidence, but this game at the Maracanã will be demanding, as only victory matters to Botafogo. Fluminense will play knowing that qualification is assured but needs at least a draw to avoid finishing in fourth place. I'm betting on a Double Chance favoring Fluminense with a goal total below 3.5.