Preview: Sao Paulo vs Botafogo,Copa Libertadores,Quarter-Finals,2nd Leg

Soccer News 2024/09/24 07:18

We saw another solid defensive performance from Sao Paulo in last week's first leg, as they kept their seventh clean sheet in nine Libertadores encounters this year.


Luis Zubeldia's men are yet to concede a goal at home in the competition, and are unbeaten at Morumbi in four Libertadores matches there this year.


Sao Paulo have not reached the semi-finals of the Copa Libertadores since 2016, when they were beaten 4-1 on aggregate by Atletico Nacional.


Their last two home games in all competitions have ended in defeat, with Soberano losing 3-1 at home to Internacional last weekend.


They have not lost consecutive games in all competitions since a 1-0 defeat to Atletico Mineiro at the end of August, followed by a 2-0 loss at Fluminense earlier this month.


Tricolor Paulista have not lost a home quarter-final match in the Libertadores since Cruzeiro beat them 2-0 in this round in 2009.


The knockout stages of the tournament have proved a challenge for current Brasileiro Serie A leaders Botafogo, who last week failed to win for the third time in their previous four games in the competition.


Although they have not conceded in three consecutive Libertadores games, Artur Jorge's men have scored just once in that time.


Their current unbeaten run stretches to eight games in all competitions, and their 1-0 win over Fluminense on Sunday moved them three points clear of Palmeiras at the top of the Brasileiro Serie A.


Fogo have lost just once away from home in the Libertadores this year (1-0 to LDU Quito) and have won just once as visitors in the competition (1-0 to Universitario).


You have to go back to 1963 for the last time they reached the semi-finals of this competition, losing 1-0 on aggregate to Gremio in the 2017 Libertadores quarter-finals after the first leg ended in a 0-0 draw.


O Glorioso are unbeaten in their last seven matches against Sao Paulo in all competitions, with their last win at the Morumbi coming in the 2022 Copa do Brasil (1-0).


A trio of players are likely to miss Wednesday's trip to Sao Paulo, with Pablo Maia, Ferreira and Moreira all nursing thigh injuries.


Alisson will miss the game with a broken ankle, while Patryck is continuing to recover from a shoulder injury that is likely to keep him out until early October.


Jonathan Calleri leads the way with four goals in the Libertadores this year, while Rafael made six saves in the first leg to keep his sixth clean sheet of the tournament.


Matheus Nascimento, Pablo and Cuiabano were all sidelined with hamstring injuries in the first leg and are unlikely to feature in this clash.


Rafael da Silva and Jeffinho are also likely to miss this game with knee injuries, but are expected to return in early October.


John only had to make one save in the first leg to keep his third clean sheet in the Libertadores this year, while Junior Santos remains the competition's top scorer with nine goals.


Sao Paulo possible starting lineup:

Rafael; Franco, Arboleda, Sabino; Araujo, Bobadilla, Gustavo, Welington; Luciano, Gomes; Calleri


Botafogo possible starting lineup:

John; Vitinho, Bastos, Barboza, Telles; Gregore, Freitas; Soares, Savarino, Almada; Santos


Prediction:Sao Paulo 0-1 Botafogo (Botafogo advances 1-0 on aggregate)


Sao Paulo VS Botafogo stream and TV listing

International:Holasports

  • CONMEBOL Libertadores

  • Sao Paulo

  • Botafogo SE

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