Palmeiras and Botafogo face off in the second leg of their Copa Libertadores round of 16 tie in a thrilling showdown that will decide the fate of both Brazilian football giants.
With a 2-1 advantage from the first leg, Botafogo are in the driving seat, and Palmeiras, who have reached the quarter-finals for six consecutive years, find themselves in unfamiliar territory – needing a victory to keep that run alive.
The pressure is mounting on the Green Army, as this marks the first time since 2017 that they have entered the second leg of a Libertadores round of 16 tie trailing. The defeat in the first leg snapped their unbeaten run in the tournament this year, putting them on the brink of their earliest exit since Barcelona SC of Ecuador took them out at this stage in 2017 on penalties.
However, Palmeiras will enter this contest at their Allianz Parque home ground with a measure of confidence. The hosts have won nine of their last 10 home games across all competitions, and they’ve been very prolific in those victories, scoring at least two goals in eight of those matches.
Botafogo, meanwhile, are well aware that a win or even a draw will see them through to the quarter-finals, a stage they haven’t reached in seven years. A 4-1 win over Flamengo on Saturday would have done wonders for their confidence ahead of this tie as it kept them one point ahead of Fortaleza on the Brasileiro Serie A table.
Artur Jorge’s side’s recent form has also been impressive, with a two-match winning streak across all competitions. However, Botafogo have shown vulnerabilities, particularly in defence. They have failed to keep a clean sheet in their last eight matches, a statistic that might concern their fans as they face a formidable Palmeiras attack.
Betting Tip: Over 2.5 Goals
22/08 01:30 Palmeiras – Botafogo Over 2.5 Goals @ 2.18 (1xbet)
Both teams have demonstrated a propensity for high-scoring games, and this Copa Libertadores round of 16 tie should be no different.
Palmeiras have scored at least two goals in eight of their last ten home matches across all competitions, highlighting their offensive prowess, especially at home.
Moreover, the defensive records of both sides further suggest we could see a few goals at the Allianz Parque. Both teams were on the scoresheet in four of Palmeiras’ last five matches and in five of Botafogo’s last six games.
With Botafogo failing to keep a clean sheet in their last eight games and Palmeiras conceding in seven of their last eight, the likelihood of both teams finding the net is substantial.
Furthermore, the high stakes of the match, with Palmeiras needing a win to advance, suggest they will be on the front foot, which should unlock chances on the counter for Botafogo, increasing the chances of multiple goals being scored.
Considering these factors, we recommend betting on Over 2.5 Goals in this match at a very attractive 2.18 odds on 1xbet.
Palmeiras vs Botafogo - Over 2.5 Goals @ 2.18
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