Game Information

12/07/2025 – Kick Off (22:30 GMT)

Vasco da Gama
Vasco da Gama have shown mixed form of late, with two wins and two losses from their last four matches in all competitions. Right before the break for the Club World Cup, they produced a strong performance, beating Vitória 3-1.

They currently sit 13th in the Brasileirão, with four wins, one draw, and seven defeats from their 12 matches. Vasco will now be hoping to find more consistency as they look to climb the table in the second half of the season.

Following a lengthy pause in fixtures, they come into this all-Rio de Janeiro clash targeting three points, against a Botafogo side who have lost a few key players from their Club World Cup campaign.

Botafogo
Botafogo were building momentum just before the break for the Club World Cup, putting together a strong late rally in the Brasileirão that helped carry them into the tournament in solid form. They currently sit 8th in the table with five wins, three draws, and three defeats, with three of those victories coming in their last five league outings.

Their Club World Cup campaign was a positive one. They opened with a win over the Seattle Sounders, then stunned the footballing world by defeating PSG 1-0 in a tightly contested match. A narrow 1-0 loss to Atlético Madrid still saw them progress to the knockout rounds. There, they met fellow Brazilian side Palmeiras in an all-Brazilian clash. After taking the game to extra time, they were eventually beaten 1-0 thanks to a Paulinho goal.

Having exited in the last 16, Botafogo have had a bit more time to prepare than some of their domestic rivals who went deeper into the tournament. They’ll be hoping to bring the same energy and focus from their Club World Cup run into this next league fixture.

Renato Paiva was sacked following the Club World Cup campaign and replaced by Davide Ancelotti, the son of Brazilian national team coach Carlo Ancelotti.

Igor Jesus, the hero who scored the winner against PSG, has since completed a move to Nottingham Forest, leaving a gap in the attack that will need to be filled. Jair has also joined the English club, further weakening Botafogo’s depth ahead of their return to league action.

Prediction – Vasco 1-1 Botafogo