Gremio v Botafogo

Gremio vs Botafogo Preview

Last, but certainly by no means least, there is the small matter of a top-of-the-table clash between second-placed Gremio and their league leading visitors, Botafogo, when the two teams face off at the Arena do Grêmio with the hosts looking to reduce the current seven-point deficit while Botafogo will be wanting to keep their rivals at arms length.

Gremio will head into this important clash on the back of a three-match winning streak which has seen the hosts collect vital victories against America Mineiro, Coritiba and Bahia respectively while the bigger picture shows that Renato Gaucho's side have also registered six wins out of their last seven games overall.

This recent winning momentum has helped lift Gremio into second place and the hosts have become Botafogo's closest rivals to the Brazilian Serie A title, and Gremio also still remain unbeaten at home in this season's campaign, picking up five wins and drawing the other two of their opening seven home games at their Arena do Grêmio.

In addition, Gremio have been extremely impressive at home for some time now as the hosts are unbeaten in their last 12 home games, picking up nine wins in the process along with keeping five clean sheets as well.

Botafogo sit seven points clear at the summit of the Brazilian Serie A table thanks to a four-match winning streak which has seen the visitors register wins against Fortaleza, Cuiaba, Palmeiras and Vasco da Gama respectively, so they too will be in confident mood as they prepare for this trip to the Arena do Grêmio on Sunday evening.

Botafogo possess the uncanny knack of turning potential draws into wins as well, a trait that has served them well so far this season and beyond as the visitors have lost just three of their previous 14 matches overall in the domestic top flight, the other 11 games all being victories.

However, if there is a possible chink in Botafogo's armour, it may come in the shape of performances away from home as each of the aforementioned three defeats were inflicted upon Claudio Cacapa's men on their travels, losing at Athletico PR, Goias and again at Athletico PR - the latter two defeats both being this season.

Gremio v Botafogo Verdict

Gremio's solid record at home should place the hosts in a favourable position ahead of this tough looking fixture with Botafogo but the hosts do have previous history seemingly on their side.

Gremio have won each of the last five meetings with Botafogo and therefore the hosts will be confident that they can extend their dominance over the league leaders on Sunday evening and reduce the deficit to just four points with a win here.

Therefore, our main bet will be Gremio win @ 2.10

Other side bets worth considering:

Gremio win & Under 2.5 goals @ 4.75

Correct score: Gremio 2-0 @ 10.00