Palmeiras welcome defending champions and rivals Botafogo to the Allianz Parque on the opening weekend of the 2025 Brazilian Serie A campaign on Sunday, 29 March. View our Brazilian Serie A betting tips for the contest below.
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Palmeiras vs Botafogo prediction: Hosts to put down a marker?
Key Stats
- Botafogo have lost five of their last six games and head to Palmeiras in bad form under new manager Renato Paiva.
- Palmeiras won 12 of their 19 home games in Serie A last season.
- Four of the last five meetings between Palmeiras and Botafogo produced goals at both ends.
- Seven players were carded when these teams last clashed in November.
Correct score prediction: Palmeiras 2-0 Botafogo
Palmeiras were pipped to the title by Botafogo last season but their rivals are in a state of flux ahead of Sunday’s opener and the hosts can take advantage. Botafogo lost 2-0 to Racing Club last time out and could suffer a similar fate here.
Pre-game odds and win probability: Markets favour Palmeiras
- HOME: 4/6 (1.67) – 60%
- DRAW: 13/5 (3.60) – 27.8%
- AWAY: 19/4 (5.75) – 17.4%
*odds from Ladbrokes, subject to change
Palmeiras narrowly lost the final of the Paulista over two legs to Corinthians (0-1) before the international break, however, they showed good form to reach that climactic stage and have been given a 60% chance of landing an early blow in the title race on Sunday.
Botafogo lost the final of the Recopa Sudamericana to Argentinean side Racing Club last time out (0-2) in Renato Paiva’s first game at the helm and they will kick off their league opener as 19/4 underdogs. View our latest football tips page for more free predictions and analysis.
Most recent H2Hs: Botafogo have had the edge
Botafogo beat Palmeiras 3-1 in the clubs’ last encounter and the champions have lost only one of the previous six iterations of this fixture overall.
Brazil Serie A 27/11/24
Palmeiras
Botafogo
Copa Libertadores 22/08/24
Palmeiras
Botafogo
Copa Libertadores 15/08/24
Botafogo
Palmeiras
Brazil Serie A 18/07/24
Botafogo
Palmeiras
Brazil Serie A 02/11/23
Botafogo
Palmeiras
Palmeiras preview: Piquerez a slight doubt
Joaquin Piquerez, Bruno Rodrigus and Paulinho are slight injury doubts for Palmeiras ahead of the weekend. Marcelo Lomba was sent off against Corinthians last time out but is available here. Estevao and Vitor Roque could be paired up front.
Predicted lineup: Weverton (GK), Murilo, Micael, Piquerez, Mayke, Moreno, Martinez, Veiga, Torres, Estevao, Roque
Brazil Serie A 11/05/25
W
Sao Paulo
0
Palmeiras
1
Copa Libertadores 08/05/25
W
Cerro Porteno
0
Palmeiras
2
Brazil Serie A 04/05/25
W
Vasco da Gama
0
Palmeiras
1
Copa do Brasil 30/04/25
W
Ceara
0
Palmeiras
1
Brazil Serie A 27/04/25
L
EC Bahia
1
Palmeiras
0
Botafogo preview: Cruz and Jeffinho pushing to start
New Botafogo hire Renato Paiva used a 4-2-3-1 formation in his first game in charge against Racing Club, so expect a similar system for the visitors on Sunday. Rwan Cruz and Jeffinho were subbed on early against Racing and could be in line for starting berths.
Predicted lineup: John (GK), Vitinho, Jair, Barboza, Telles, Gregore, Freitas, Artur, Savarino, Martins, Jesus
Brazil Serie A 11/05/25
W
Internacional
0
Botafogo
4
Copa Libertadores 06/05/25
W
Carabobo
1
Botafogo
2
Brazil Serie A 04/05/25
L
EC Bahia
1
Botafogo
0
Copa do Brasil 30/04/25
W
Capital CF
0
Botafogo
4
Brazil Serie A 27/04/25
W
Fluminense
0
Botafogo
2
Player to watch – Estevao
Considered one of the brightest prospects in Brazil, wonderkid Estevao is counting down the days until his summer move to Premier League giants Chelsea, though the 17-year-old still has work left to do for Palmeiras.
Exciting Estevao can shine
Dynamic attacker Estevao scored 15 times in all competitions for Palmeiras last season and still doesn’t turn 18 until late April. The forward seems to relish the biggest occasions and he should be in top form for Palmeiras’ clash with champions Botafogo on Sunday.