Brazilian clubs have excelled in the ongoing Club World Cup and an exciting match is anticipated when Serie A powerhouses Palmeiras and Botafogo face off in Philadelphia this Saturday.
Botafogo have performed impressively to reach this stage, progressing from a tough group that included Paris Saint-Germain and Atletico Madrid, while Palmeiras had a smoother journey, advancing alongside Inter Miami from a group also featuring Porto and Al Ahly.
These two teams are familiar foes and neither will be willing to concede defeat in this crucial knockout stage encounter.
Team news
Palmeiras are likely to field the same starting lineup that played to a 2-2 draw with Inter Miami on Tuesday. Anibal Moreno will be absent alongside Bruno Rodrigues and Figueiredo.
Botafogo will be missing midfielder Gregore due to suspension, while Jeffinho continues to be sidelined.
The statistics
Botafogo have not lost in the last five competitive matches against Palmeiras (W3 D2 L0).
The most recent encounter ended in a goalless draw at Palmeiras in the Brazilian Serie A.
Over 2.5 goals were scored in three of the last four head-to-head meetings.
Two of the last three matches between these teams ended in a tie.
Botafogo have emerged victorious in five of their last six games.
Palmeiras have suffered defeats in only two of their last 13 matches across all competitions.
Prediction
The previous match between these sides in March concluded in a 0-0 draw, but Botafogo have historically had the upper hand and are predicted to surpass their Brazilian counterparts with a victory where both teams find the net.
Three out of the last four encounters have seen over 2.5 goals scored, and considering both teams' good form, an entertaining match is on the horizon.
Despite Palmeiras' strong performances, Botafogo have a track record of overcoming them in important matches, as seen in their Brazilian title win and Copa Libertadores success. Their solid displays in this tournament, including a notable 1-0 victory over European champions PSG, indicate their capability to triumph in this contest.
Scoring has been a common theme in recent meetings, with both teams finding the back of the net in four of the last six clashes, pointing towards a high likelihood of goals from both sides.