Botafogo v Cruzeiro

03/08/2025 – (Kick Off 20:00 GMT)

Botafogo are currently unbeaten in their last four matches across all competitions, with three wins and a draw, a solid run that has helped stabilise their campaign.

In their most recent league outing, they were held to a 1-1 draw at home by Corinthians in what was a closely contested affair. Neither side could truly take control, and a point apiece felt like a fair result in the end.

Midweek, however, saw a more commanding display from Botafogo. In the first leg of their Copa do Brasil tie, they secured a 2-0 win over Red Bull Bragantino, giving themselves a strong advantage heading into the return leg.

With confidence high and momentum on their side, Botafogo will be aiming to keep the unbeaten run going as they push to climb the table.

Cruzeiro have dropped to second place in the Brasileirão after a shock 2-1 home defeat to Ceará last weekend, a result that ended their impressive unbeaten run. They are now winless in their last three matches in all competitions, with two draws and a loss.

In midweek Copa do Brasil action, Cruzeiro were left frustrated again as they were held to a 0-0 draw at home by CRB in the first leg. It was a match where they struggled to break down the visitors and failed to take advantage of their home support.

They’ll now be desperate to bounce back in the league and avoid losing further ground at the top of the table.

Prediction – 1-1

Corinthians v Fortaleza

03/08/2025 (Kick Off 20:00 GMT)

Corinthians sit 12th in the Brasileirão and are currently winless in their last three league matches. However, they did pick up a big result in midweek, securing a 1-0 win over rivals Palmeiras in the first leg of their Copa do Brasil tie, courtesy of a second-half strike from Memphis Depay.

In their last league outing, they battled to a 1-1 draw away at Botafogo in a competitive and evenly matched contest. While they’ve struggled for consistency in the league, that midweek win could serve as a confidence booster as they look to climb back up the table.

Fortaleza remain in the relegation zone, sitting 18th in the table, despite recently picking up their first win in eleven matches. Hopes of building momentum were quickly dashed last time out, as they fell to a 2-1 defeat away to Grêmio.

Both goals conceded came from penalties, and while Deyverson managed to pull one back, it wasn’t enough to salvage a result. It was a frustrating loss for Fortaleza, who will now be desperate to bounce back and avoid slipping further behind in the battle for survival.

Prediction – 2-0

Atlético Mineiro v Bragantino

03/08/2025 – (Kick Off 22:30 GMT)

Atlético Mineiro have suffered three straight defeats in the league and now sit 13th in the table, a worrying slide for a team with higher expectations. Their most recent league outing ended in a narrow 1-0 loss away to Flamengo.

However, they responded well in midweek Copa do Brasil action, pulling off a strong 1-0 win away to Flamengo in the first leg. A second-half goal from Cuello secured the victory and gives them a valuable edge heading into the second leg.

Atlético will now be aiming to carry that momentum back into league play and stop the rot as they try to climb back into the top half.

After a strong start to the season, Red Bull Bragantino have hit a rough patch. They’ve now lost four matches in a row and are winless in their last five across all competitions, a concerning slide for a team that had been flying high.

Last week, they suffered a disappointing 3-1 defeat to Fortaleza in the league, followed by a 2-0 loss to Botafogo in the first leg of their Copa do Brasil tie, both away from home.

Despite the dip in form, Bragantino still sit in 6th place in the Brasileirão, but will want to halt their skid quickly

Prediction – 2-1

Ceará v Flamengo

03/08/2025 – (Kick Off 22:30 GMT)

Ceará sit in 10th place and, after a poor run of form, finally picked up a much-needed win last time out, and it came in the form of a big upset. They defeated high-flying Cruzeiro 2-1, with both goals coming from Antonio Galeano in a standout performance.

That result could prove to be a turning point, and they’ll be hoping to carry that momentum into today’s match as they look to build consistency and push further up the table.

Flamengo sit top of the Brasileirão, but it’s been a mixed week for the Rubro-Negro. At the weekend, they earned a hard-fought 1-0 home win over Atlético Mineiro, with Léo Ortiz scoring the only goal of the game.

However, in midweek Copa do Brasil action, they suffered a 1-0 defeat to the same opposition in the first leg of their Last 16 tie, a frustrating result that leaves work to do in the return leg.

They’ll now look to bounce back in the league and extend their lead at the top.

Prediction – 1-3

Vitória v Palmeiras

(03/08/2025 – Kick Off 23:30 GMT)

Vitória sit in 15th place, just two points above the relegation zone, and will be looking to build some momentum after back-to-back draws. Last time out, they earned a respectable point on the road in a 1-1 draw against an in-form Mirassol side.

While not spectacular, the result showed resilience, and Vitória will now be aiming to turn these draws into wins as they look to distance themselves from the bottom four.

Palmeiras sit third in the Brasileirão and come into this round in solid form. They’ve won three league matches in a row and are unbeaten in their last four, showing strong momentum in the title race

Last time out in the league, they edged Grêmio 1-0 in a tight contest, continuing their climb up the table. However, the mood was dampened midweek as they suffered a disappointing 1-0 loss to rivals Corinthians in the first leg of their Copa do Brasil tie, a result they’ll be eager to overturn.

Palmeiras will now look to refocus and keep the pressure on the top two in the league.

Prediction – 0-1

Internacional v São Paulo

04/08/2025 – (Kick Off 00:30 GMT)

Internacional currently sit in 11th place and are unbeaten in their last four league matches. Last time out, they earned a dramatic 1-1 draw against Vasco da Gama, with Johan Carbonero scoring a stoppage-time equaliser.

However, midweek brought disappointment in the Copa do Brasil, as they suffered a 2-1 home defeat to Fluminense in the first leg of their quarter-final tie. They’ll be eager to respond and keep their league momentum alive.

Hernán Crespo has sparked a real turnaround at São Paulo, who have now won four matches in a row across all competitions. His impact has been immediate, with the team showing renewed confidence.

They currently sit 9th in the league and are pushing to break into the top six. Last time out in the league, they enjoyed an impressive 3-1 win over Fluminense. That was followed by a 2-1 victory in the Copa do Brasil first leg against Athletico Paranaense, a result that puts them in a strong position ahead of the return leg.

Prediction – 1-1