The Rio club needs a draw against São Paulo, at Nilton Santos, to make it back to the Olympics; Verdão has to hope for the opponent’s defeat and beat Fluminense at Allianz
The team is one draw away from winning the 2024 Brazilian Championship, ending a 29-year streak without titles in the competition. With 76 points, the black and white team leads the table and faces São Paulo this Sunday (8), at the Nilton Santos stadium. Meanwhile, vice-leader with 73 points, faces Fluminense at Allianz Parque and still dreams of the possibility of turning the game around in the final stretch. Both games will start at 4pm.
For Botafogo, the accounts are clear: a win or a draw against São Paulo guarantees the cup. In case of defeat, the team needs to count on a stumble from Palmeiras — defeat or draw — to confirm the title. The scenario reflects a season of overcoming for the black and white team after a campaign that ended in frustration the previous year. After leading much of the championship, the team fell in performance at the end and lost the title to Palmeiras itself.
Fogão stood out especially in the first round, when they scored 40 points and won the symbolic title of that phase. Although there was a slight drop in performance in the second round — invoking the specter of 2023 — Botafogo remained competitive and got rid of the trauma in the decisive clash with Verdão. 3-1 victory at Allianz Parque, with authority, on the eve of the Libertadores final. After winning the unprecedented continental title, the Alvinegro team beat the strong Internacional away from home and came close to ending a 29-year fast without a national title. The last one was in 1995, achieved with the brilliance of Túlio Maravilha.
On the other hand, Palmeiras keeps its hope of winning the title alive. To do this, the team needs to beat Fluminense and hope for a defeat for Botafogo. The Alviverde team, which beat Cruzeiro 2-1 in the penultimate round, is focused on taking advantage of any slip-up from the leader. “No one gives themselves up here,” said Leila Pereira, president of Verdão. If it wins the title, the São Paulo club will reach 12 Brazilian titles and will equal its rival São Paulo, the only one to win three consecutive titles since 1971, when the CBF named the championship with the name it has today.
See the chances of the two candidates for the title
Botafogo
Botafogo will be champions if:
- Win São Paulo at the Nilton Santos stadium.
- Draw against São Paulo.
- Lose for São Paulo, as long as Palmeiras does not beat Fluminense.
Palm trees
Palmeiras will be champions if:
- Win Fluminense at Allianz Parque and Botafogo lose to São Paulo.
Published by Felipe Dantas
*Report produced with the help of AI
