- Botafogo have won one and drawn one of their two home games in this season’s Copa Sudamericana, averaging 2.00 goals per game while conceding just 0.50.
- Racing Club are unbeaten on the road in the competition, winning one and drawing one, averaging 2.00 goals per away game.
- Botafogo have won two, drawn one and lost one of their last four home matches in all competitions.
Botafogo to maintain group lead
Botafogo RJ have been in strong form since Franclim Carvalho took the helm recently, leading the club to the top of Copa Sudamericana Group E with seven points from their opening three games. This Botafogo RJ vs Racing Club preview shows the host's gradual progress and tactical evolution.
Carvalho has added a verticality to his team’s possession-based approach, enabling them to be both structured and dangerous in transitions and making them a tough nut to crack when in the right shape.
The hosts’ most recent results show their current potential - a 3-0 home win over Independiente Petrolero in the Copa Sudamericana and a 1-2 home defeat to Remo PA in Serie A - and with Arthur Cabral in form at the point of the attack, two goals in three Copa Sudamericana games look about right, making our Botafogo RJ vs Racing Club prediction particularly interesting.
Racing need a result
Racing sit third in Copa Sudamericana Group E with four points after three games, but their three consecutive draws mean that they’re on the brink of dropping out of knockout contention. Gustavo Costas has done a great job to give his team a pragmatic, high-intensity identity, but it hasn’t been working in recent weeks.
In contrast to Botafogo, Racing prefer to press high and play direct when they can, which makes them a dangerous team on the counter, particularly when they’re able to hit the wings and play through set pieces. For those interested in further insight, the Botafogo RJ vs Racing Club betting tips highlight Matias Zaracho as a major factor in their last five matches, with the attacker scoring two goals in that time.
Expect goals on both ends
Racing will need to take the game to Botafogo in this clash with the hosts top of the group, while Botafogo will want to play on the front foot after beating Racing 3-2 away a fortnight ago.
With continental pride and the continuation of both teams’ respective group positions on the line, this Botafogo RJ vs Racing Club prediction sees both teams going all-out, and the stats back a goal-fest in this one. Both teams to score - yes is 1.74, while over 2.5 goals is 1.95.
Botafogo are the form team and will be desperate to make amends for their previous failure to beat Racing on home soil, so we’re going with a 3-1 win for the home side at 2.15.
