Botafogo RJ vs Criciuma – Match Preview

This Thursday, the iconic Independencia stadium will be the stage for a thrilling Serie A clash. League leaders Botafogo RJ will host 12th-placed Criciuma at 23:00 GMT. Botafogo RJ, with 60 points from 29 matches, aims to strengthen their lead. Criciuma, having 35 points, seeks to surpass expectations. The odds suggest a home victory, but Criciuma is ready to challenge and secure vital points as the tournament heats up.

Botafogo RJ – Form

Botafogo RJ has shown resilience recently. On 5 October 2024, they won 1-0 against Athletico Paranaense, defying expectations. Igor Jesus scored the winning goal. Before this victory, Botafogo had a draw with Gremio and a 1-1 draw with Sao Paulo in the Copa Libertadores. These outcomes were surprising, showing Botafogo’s ability to defy predictions.

Criciuma – Form

Criciuma’s performance has been a mix of resilience and inconsistency. They won 2-0 against Atletico GO on October 3rd, meeting expectations. A 1-0 defeat to Bahia followed, showing their struggles away from home. Yet, they bounced back with a 2-1 win over Gremio, with goals from Arthur Caike and Ronald. This victory showed their potential to surprise.

Botafogo RJ – Criciuma – Head to Head

The last match between Botafogo RJ and Criciuma was on 22 June 2024, ending in a 2:1 win for Criciuma. In their last 9 meetings, both teams have won 3 times, and 3 games ended in a draw. This shows a balanced rivalry. In 8 of these clashes, fewer than 3.5 goals were scored. Botafogo RJ has not won in their last 4 matches against Criciuma, a trend they hope to reverse at Independencia.

Botafogo RJ – Criciuma – Standings

As the Serie A season advances to its 30th round, Botafogo RJ leads the table with 60 points from 29 matches. They have scored 47 goals and conceded 25. This performance cements their status as title contenders. Criciuma is in 12th place with 35 points, scoring 36 goals and conceding 42. This positions them as a mid-table team, in line with expectations. The 25-point gap between them highlights their different paths this season.

Botafogo RJ vs Criciuma – Top scorers

Botafogo RJ’s attack is led by Luiz Henrique, who has scored 6 goals. Igor Jesus follows closely with 5 goals. Defender Cuiabano and forwards Jefferson Savarino and Tiquinho Soares have each added 4 goals. This shows a well-rounded offensive lineup. Criciuma counters with Yannick Bolasie, who also has 6 goals. Arthur Caike and Matheusinho, both forwards, have scored 5 goals each. Midfielder Fellipe Mateus and defender Claudinho have contributed 3 and 2 goals, respectively. This makes Criciuma a versatile attacking team.

Botafogo RJ vs Criciuma – Full-Time Betting

Botafogo RJ is the favorite with odds of 1.42 for a home win. Criciuma faces tougher odds of 7.00 for an away win, with a draw at 4.75. Despite recent challenges against Criciuma, Botafogo’s form makes them favorites. The “halftime-fulltime” odds of 1.909 for Botafogo leading at the break could attract bets. The “draw-no-bet” option for Botafogo at 1.143 offers a fallback in case of a draw. The “double-chance” bet for Botafogo to win or draw at 1.1 is another safer bet.

Botafogo RJ vs Criciuma – Over/Under Betting

The odds for “Over 2.5” goals are at 1.75, while “Under 2.5” is at 2.05. Botafogo RJ’s goal tally suggests they are strong attackers, especially at home. Criciuma’s goal record indicates they can also contribute. However, the history of their encounters, with 8 out of 9 matches having under 3.5 goals, makes “Under 2.5” at 2.05 an appealing option. This suggests a match with fewer goals than expected.

Botafogo RJ vs Criciuma – BTTS Betting

The odds for both teams to score are 2.00 for “Yes” and 1.75 for “No.” In their last 9 matches, both teams scored in 3 games. Botafogo RJ’s and Criciuma’s recent games also support this trend. Given Botafogo RJ’s strong defense at home, “BTTS: No” at 1.75 is the favored outcome for this match.

Botafogo RJ vs Criciuma – Prediction