A thrilling all-Brazilian clash awaits at Lincoln Financial Field as Palmeiras take on Botafogo in the FIFA Club World Cup round of 16 on June 28. This matchup reignites a fierce domestic rivalry between two of Brazil’s footballing powerhouses, with both teams eager to advance to the quarter-finals. Palmeiras, the Group A winners, secured their spot with an unbeaten record, highlighted by a dramatic 2-2 comeback draw against Inter Miami.
Botafogo, the reigning Copa Libertadores champions, finished second in Group B after a standout 1-0 victory over PSG, despite a narrow loss to Atlético Madrid. With recent head-to-head encounters producing tight contests and a history of high stakes, this promises to be a tactical battle where defensive resilience and moments of attacking brilliance could decide the outcome.
Prediction
The Palmeiras vs Botafogo encounter is expected to be a closely fought affair, with both teams showcasing defensive solidity in the group stages, each conceding just two goals. Palmeiras have the slight edge as favorites, largely due to their unbeaten run in the tournament and a strong home record in domestic competitions, translating to confidence on neutral ground. Their late comeback against Inter Miami demonstrates their ability to turn games around, driven by attacking talents like Estevao and Raphael Veiga.
Botafogo, however, are no pushovers, having toppled European giants PSG and shown resilience in their group stage. Their recent dominance in head-to-head clashes, including an unbeaten run in the last five meetings (three wins, two draws), suggests they can hold their own. The most likely outcome is a narrow 2-1 victory for Palmeiras, capitalizing on their attacking depth, though Botafogo’s counter-attacking threat could see them nick a goal. A low-scoring game is probable, given both teams’ defensive discipline and the cautious nature of knockout football.
Possible lineups
For Palmeiras, manager Abel Ferreira is likely to field a familiar 4-2-3-1 formation. Weverton is expected in goal, with a defensive line of Marcos Rocha, Gustavo Gomez, Bruno Fuchs, and Joaquin Piquerez. Murilo’s thigh injury from the Inter Miami game makes Fuchs a likely replacement alongside Gomez in central defense. In midfield, Richard Rios and Lucas Evangelista should provide stability, with Raphael Veiga pulling the strings in the attacking midfield role. Facundo Torres and teenage star Estevao are set to occupy the wings, with Jose Lopez favored to lead the line over Vitor Roque.
Botafogo, under Renato Paiva, are expected to deploy a 4-3-3 setup. John Victor will start in goal, protected by a back four of Vitinho, Jair Cunha, Alexander Barboza, and Alex Telles. With Gregore suspended after two yellow cards in the group stage, Patrick de Paula could step into the midfield alongside Marlon Freitas and Allan. Up top, Igor Jesus will lead the attack, supported by Jefferson Savarino and Artur Guimaraes. Substitutes like Paulinho for Palmeiras and Arthur Cabral for Botafogo could prove decisive off the bench.
Betting tips
Given the defensive strengths of both sides, betting on Under 2.5 Goals at odds of around -125 is a strong option, as three of Palmeiras’ last five games and all of Botafogo’s last five away matches have seen fewer than three goals. Another compelling bet is Both Teams to Score (BTTS) No at -143, reflecting the likelihood of at least one side keeping a clean sheet, as seen in their goalless draw in March 2025 and Botafogo’s recent low-scoring outings.
For those seeking value, Botafogo with a +0.25 Asian Handicap at -114 offers a safety net, given their ability to avoid defeat in recent head-to-heads. Player-specific bets include Jose Lopez as an Anytime Goalscorer at +430 for Palmeiras, given his knack for crucial goals, and Arthur Cabral at -122 to register at least one shot on target for Botafogo, as he remains a consistent threat. A Bet Builder combining Palmeiras to win, Both Teams to Score, and Paulinho to score anytime could also yield enhanced value, capturing Palmeiras’ edge and Botafogo’s counter-attacking potential.