Preview: Bragantino vs. Botafogo - prediction, team news, lineups

Two sides level on points will battle it out in a Brasileiro contest when Bragantino play host to Botafogo on Monday.

The hosts are looking to bounce back after a four-game unbeaten run was ended by Atletico Paranaense, while Botafogo are also hoping to offer a positive response following consecutive defeats.

Match preview

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Bragantino enter the contest in 12th place after picking up 18 points from their 14 league games.

The hosts enjoyed a four-game unbeaten run that included wins over Flamengo and Coritiba before losing 4-2 away to Atletico Paranaense in their last outing.

Atletico Paranaense led by three goals within 23 minutes before adding another goal in the 67th minute, but goals from Alerrandro and Lucas Evangelista ensured that Bragantino added a degree of respectability to the scoreline.

Although Monday's hosts have conceded at least two goals in their previous three games, they can take encouragement from the fact that they have scored in each of their last five matches.

Mauricio Barbieri's side can also take confidence from their last two home encounters, which both resulted in victories.

Meanwhile, the visitors will be looking to bounce back after losing 3-0 away to America Mineiro in the first leg of the Copa Brasil last-16 tie.

Goals from Wellington Paulista, Danilo Avelar and Ale condemn Botafogo to defeat, leaving them with a mountain to climb in the home leg.

The midweek result represents the sixth time that Botafogo have lost in their last eight away games, with their only two wins in that period taking place against Sao Paulo and Internacional.

With the visitors aiming to get back on track with a positive result on Monday, they will take little encouragement from one win in their previous five away games in all competitions.

Having kept one clean sheet in their last 10 matches, Botafogo will believe that they need to improve defensively if they are to start moving up the league table.

Team News

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Bragantino will be without the services of Emiliano Martinez, who is currently unavailable due to an Achilles tendon injury.

Leo Ortiz returned to the starting lineup last weekend, and he is expected to keep his place in the centre of defence.

After coming off the bench to score against Atletico Paranaense, Alerrando is set to be presented with a starting place for Monday's contest.

As for the visitors, they are unable to call upon Gustavo Sauer and Rafael da Silva, who are both sidelined due to injury issues.

Chay and Joel Carli will also miss out as they both serve one-match suspensions for an accumulation of yellow cards.

The bans of Chay and Carli could present starting opportunities for Philipe Sampaio and Diego Goncalves.

Bragantino possible starting lineup:

Cleiton; Aderlan, Ortiz, Natan, Candido; Evangelista, Raul; Artur, Hyoran, Helinho; Alerrando

Botafogo possible starting lineup:

Fernandez; Sampaio, Kanu, Cuesta; Saravia, Tche Tche, Del Piage, Hugo; Lopes, Goncalves, Nascimento

We say: Bragantino 1-0 Botafogo

Although the sides are currently level on points, we think that Bragantino will draw upon home advantage to edge out Botafogo, which would give the hosts a third consecutive home victory.

For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.