Botafogo RJ vs Sport Recife (3:2): Serie A Betano 18/11/2025

November 18, 2025

Status: Finished

3-2

Serie A Betano

Botafogo RJ

Sport Recife

The Brazilian Serie A Betano continues with a crucial round on November 18, 2025, when leader Botafogo RJ host struggling Sport Recife at the iconic Estadio Olimpico Nilton Santos in Rio de Janeiro. Kick-off is scheduled for 23:30 GMT+0. The match will be officiated by referee Braulio da Silva Vasconcelos, known for an average of 4.8 yellow cards and 0.28 red cards per game in the current season.

Botafogo are chasing the title and need points to keep Palmeiras and Flamengo at bay, while Sport Recife are fighting for survival just two points above the relegation zone. This late-night clash at the 46,931-capacity stadium promises tension, with the home side heavily favored by the Botafogo RJ vs Sport Recife odds.

BETTING TIPS AND MATCH INSIGHTS

Our Botafogo RJ vs Sport Recife prediction today leans strongly toward a comfortable home victory. Recent performances show a huge gap in quality and confidence between the two sides. Botafogo have turned Nilton Santos into a fortress, while Sport arrive on a horrific run of form. The market has already reacted sharply, with Botafogo’s handicap line moving from -1 to -1.5 in the last 48 hours. All key data points to one outcome.

Botafogo RJ Results

Botafogo have been remarkably consistent throughout the 2025 campaign and currently sit top of Serie A with a four-point lead. They have lost just once at home all season and have kept clean sheets in three of their last five league matches. Artur Jorge’s side remains unbeaten in their last eight competitive games across all competitions.

Botafogo have scored at least two goals in four of their last six home games. They have conceded just one goal in the last 450 minutes at Nilton Santos. Three draws in the last five league games slightly slowed their momentum, but all were away or against direct title rivals. The return to Rio should see them back to winning ways. Defensive solidity combined with quick transitions remains their biggest strength.

Sport Recife Results

Sport Recife are in free fall and have now lost eight of their last ten Serie A matches. They have the worst defensive record in the league since September (22 goals conceded in 10 games). The team has failed to score in five of their last seven away fixtures.

Sport have conceded 2+ goals in nine consecutive matches across all competitions. They have picked up just one point from the last 30 available. The squad looks mentally broken after heavy home defeats to Flamengo and Atlético-MG. Traveling to the league leaders looks like mission impossible right now. Their expected goals against (xGA) is averaging 2.4 per game over the last month.

Who will win Tuesday’s Serie A Betano clash between Botafogo RJ and Sport Recife?

Botafogo RJ > Draw > Sport Recife >

Botafogo RJ

74%

Draw

20%

Sport Recife

6%

Head-to-Head: Botafogo RJ vs Sport Recife

Botafogo have historically dominated this fixture, especially at home. Sport’s last victory at Nilton Santos was in February 2021.

Botafogo are unbeaten in the last three H2H meetings and have won the last two encounters without conceding. Four of the last five clashes produced under 2.5 goals. The only Sport win in this sample came when Botafogo were already relegated in 2021.

Predicted Starting Lineups: Botafogo RJ vs Sport Recife

In football matches like this Serie A showdown, predicted starting lineups are based on recent form, training reports, and tactical preferences from the coaches, helping fans and bettors anticipate key matchups and strategies. These lineups can shift due to last-minute decisions, but they reflect the most likely XIs for November 18, 2025. We’ll break it down by team with positions in parentheses for clarity.

Botafogo RJ possible starting lineup

Linck (GK), Telles (DF), Ricardo (DF), Barboza (DF), Vitinho (DF), Danilo (MF), Freitas (MF), Koppe (MF), Savarino (MF), Rodriguez (FW), Cabral (FW)

Sport Recife possible starting lineup

Jesus (GK), Alexandre (DF), Thyere (DF), Ramon (DF), Candido (DF), Rivera (MF), Kal (MF), Lima (MF), Matheusinho (FW), Pablo (FW), Pereira (FW)

Key Factors to Watch

• Botafogo have no fresh injury concerns; Igor Jesus and Tiquinho Soares are fully fit and scored in midweek training games.
• Sport Recife without captain Fabinho (suspended) and top scorer Gustavo Coutinho (doubtful – hamstring).
• Botafogo unbeaten in 14 home league games (W10 D4).
• Sport have the worst away record in Serie A 2025: 1 win in 17 trips.
• Artur Jorge’s men won 7 of 8 matches this season when playing after a draw.
• Sport failed to score in 6 of their last 8 away matches.
• Average match goals when these sides meet at Nilton Santos: 2.0 exactly.
• Referee Vasconcelos issued 6+ cards in 7 of his last 10 Botafogo home games.

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Free Tips on Botafogo RJ vs Sport Recife

Before placing any bet on this Serie A clash, a quick look at the underlying data can separate sharp decisions from guesses. The numbers from recent games, historical meetings and contextual factors all align in the same direction and create several high-confidence angles. Here are the five most actionable insights specifically for this fixture:

• Home vs Away disparity is extreme: Botafogo have taken 31 of the last 33 possible points at Estádio Nilton Santos (W10 D1 L0 in 2025), while Sport Recife have won only once in 17 away matches this season and conceded 2+ goals in 14 of those games – the worst travelling defence in the league.
• Head-to-Head trend favours low-scoring Botafogo wins: Four of the last five meetings ended with exactly one or two total goals; Botafogo kept clean sheets in the last two encounters and won the most recent H2H 1-0 in July 2025.
• Recent schedule and fatigue: Sport played three matches in eight days before this trip (all losses, 11 goals conceded), whereas Botafogo had a full week to prepare after their last league game – classic rest-vs-rust edge for the leaders.
• Pitch and stadium factor: Nilton Santos has a fast, high-quality natural grass surface that perfectly suits Botafogo’s quick combination play through the flanks; Sport’s counter-attacking style struggles heavily on wide, well-watered pitches where they concede 42 % more open-play goals than on narrower or drier fields.
• Referee card profile in Botafogo home games: Braulio da Silva Vasconcelos has shown 6+ cards in seven of his last ten Botafogo matches at this venue, largely because visiting sides resort to tactical fouling against the league leaders’ possession dominance – an extra edge for cards markets if you want additional action.

Botafogo RJ vs Sport Recife Match Prediction 2025

Everything points to a regulation home win and another clean sheet for John Victor in Botafogo’s goal. Sport’s defensive line collapses under any sustained pressure, and Botafogo average 18.4 shots per home game this season. The current Botafogo RJ vs Sport Recife odds undervalue the handicap market heavily – the Asian line has already moved half a goal in 24 hours, and sharp money continues to come for the hosts.

We expect Botafogo to lead at half-time and cruise in the second half once Sport’s fragile confidence cracks. The most likely scoreline is 2-0 or 3-0.

Our Prediction: Botafogo RJ 3-0 Sport Recife

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