Get ready for a gritty Série B showdown as Botafogo SP take on Criciúma in a match that could shake up the table. This clash, set for 22:00 GMT+0 on Thursday, 24 July 2025, unfolds at Estádio Santa Cruz in Ribeirão Preto, with a capacity of 29,292. Referee J. Pinheiro will oversee the action, ensuring every tackle and call is spot-on in this Brazilian second-tier battle, now in its 18th week.
Botafogo SP, teetering on the edge of relegation, are desperate to claw their way out of the Série B basement, while Criciúma, mid-table but eyeing a promotion push, bring a sharper edge. With both sides showing flashes of form but struggling for consistency, this game promises tension, and I’ll break down the key factors to watch, from form to head-to-heads, to help you make a smart bet.
Betting Tips and Match Insights
To craft a solid Botafogo SP vs Criciúma prediction today, we need to dig into the numbers and stories behind both teams. Botafogo SP’s recent results show a team fighting to stay afloat, while Criciúma’s form suggests they’re building momentum. Their head-to-head history adds spice, with tight battles and the occasional thrashing. By unpacking their latest performances and past encounters, we’ll spot the trends that could tip this match. Let’s dive into the details to see who’s got the edge.
Botafogo SP Results
Botafogo SP have had a rough ride in Série B this season, sitting 19th with just 18 points after 17 matchdays. Their home form offers a faint glimmer of hope, but heavy defeats have exposed their frailties. Let’s look at their last five matches to get a sense of their trajectory.
| Date | Competition | Matchup | Result | Outcome |
| 20/07/2025 | Série B | Amazonas vs Botafogo SP | 3-0 | L |
| 15/07/2025 | Série B | Botafogo SP vs Volta Redonda | 0-0 | D |
| 07/07/2025 | Série B | Botafogo SP vs Novorizontino | 0-0 | D |
| 01/07/2025 | Série B | Cuiabá vs Botafogo SP | 0-1 | W |
| 21/06/2025 | Série B | Botafogo SP vs Chapecoense | 1-0 | W |
Botafogo SP’s recent form is a mixed bag, with two wins and two draws in their last five, but that 3-0 loss to Amazonas stung. Their home games show resilience, with no losses in five competitive weeks at Estádio Santa Cruz. Yet, their attack is toothless, failing to score in three of their last five. This suggests a team that can grind out results at home but struggles to create chances. Criciúma’s defense will likely test their lackluster frontline.
Criciúma Results
Criciúma, relegated from Série A last season, are finding their feet in Série B, sitting 10th with 23 points. Their recent form shows promise, with only one loss in their last eight games. Here’s a snapshot of their last five matches.
| Date | Competition | Matchup | Result | Outcome |
| 19/07/2025 | Série B | Atlético GO vs Criciúma | 0-1 | W |
| 13/07/2025 | Série B | Criciúma vs Ferroviária | 2-1 | W |
| 09/07/2025 | Série B | Goiás vs Criciúma | 1-1 | D |
| 28/06/2025 | Série B | Criciúma vs Avaí | 1-2 | L |
| 21/06/2025 | Série B | América MG vs Criciúma | 1-1 | D |
Criciúma’s form is heating up, with back-to-back wins and an unbeaten run in their last four away games. Their ability to nick tight victories, like the 1-0 against Atlético GO, shows grit. Scoring 1.2 goals on average, they’re not prolific but clinical enough. Their defense, conceding just one goal per game, looks solid. This momentum makes them a tough opponent for a struggling Botafogo SP.
Botafogo SP vs Criciúma Head-to-Head Results
The history between Botafogo SP and Criciúma is a tug-of-war, with both sides trading blows in recent years. Their past encounters offer clues about how this match might unfold. Here are their last five head-to-heads.
| Date | Competition | Matchup | Result |
| 18/11/2023 | Série B | Criciúma vs Botafogo SP | 3-0 |
| 18/07/2023 | Série B | Botafogo SP vs Criciúma | 1-0 |
| 12/09/2021 | Série C | Criciúma vs Botafogo SP | 0-0 |
| 13/07/2021 | Série C | Botafogo SP vs Criciúma | 3-1 |
| 28/09/2019 | Série B | Criciúma vs Botafogo SP | 2-0 |
The head-to-head record is balanced, with Botafogo SP winning two, Criciúma taking two, and one draw. Criciúma’s 3-0 thrashing in 2023 stands out, but Botafogo SP’s home wins show they can hold their own. The mix of tight games and occasional blowouts suggests this could go either way.
Predicted Starting Lineups for Botafogo SP vs Criciúma
To get a grip on how this Série B clash might play out, knowing the likely starting elevens for Botafogo SP and Criciúma is key. These predicted lineups, based on recent team news and player availability, give a snapshot of who’s expected to take the pitch at Estádio Santa Cruz. Below, I’ve listed the probable starters for both sides, focusing on their roles and how they might shape the game.
Botafogo SP Predicted Lineup
Botafogo SP are likely to field a gritty side, leaning on their home resilience despite their scoring struggles.
Victor Souza (GK), Jeferson (DF), Ericson (DF), Cadu (DF), Risso G. (DF), Gabriel Bispo (MF), Abdulai S. (MF), Maciel L. (MF), Jonathan Cafu (FW), Carrillo R. (FW), Jefferson Nem (FW)
Criciúma Predicted Lineup
Criciúma, riding a wave of solid form, will aim to control the midfield and strike clinically.
Alisson (GK), Yan Souto (DF), Rodrigo (DF), Luiz Henrique (DF), Marcinho (MF), Matheus Trindade (MF), Guilherme Lobo (MF), Jhonata Robert (MF), Felipinho (MF), Diego Goncalves (FW), Nicolas (FW)
Injured and Questionable Players
Injuries and absences can flip a match’s outcome, and for Botafogo SP vs Criciúma, both teams have players on the sidelines or in doubt. The table below highlights key players unavailable or questionable for this match, ensuring you’re not banking on someone who might not play. These absences could shift tactical approaches, especially for Botafogo SP’s already thin squad.
| Team | Player | Status |
| Botafogo SP | Alex Dramisino | Yellow Cards |
| Botafogo SP | Gustavo Bochecha | Inactive |
| Criciúma | Joao Carlos | Injury |
| Criciúma | Leo Alaba | Inactive |
| Criciúma | Luciano Castan | Yellow Cards |
| Criciúma | Marcelo Benevenuto | Questionable (Injury) |
| Criciúma | Gabriel Barros | Questionable (Inactive) |
| Criciúma | Heitor Roca | Questionable (Inactive) |
| Criciúma | Thales | Questionable (Inactive) |
| Criciúma | Ze Gabriel | Questionable (Inactive) |
Key Factors to Watch
To make a sharp Botafogo SP vs Criciúma match prediction, we need to zero in on the details that could swing the game. Both teams have their strengths and weaknesses, but the fine margins will decide this one. Here’s what to keep an eye on.
- Botafogo SP’s Home Form: Unbeaten in five home games, with three draws and two wins;
- Criciúma’s Away Streak: No losses in their last four away matches, showing road resilience;
- Botafogo SP’s Scoring Woes: Zero goals in their last three games, a red flag for their attack;
- Criciúma’s Clinical Edge: Averaging 1.2 goals per game, they capitalize on chances;
- Injury Concerns: Botafogo SP may miss key attackers, pending team news;
- Criciúma’s Defensive Solidity: Conceding just one goal per game on average;
- Referee Impact: J. Pinheiro’s strict style could lead to cards in a heated match;
- Motivation Levels: Botafogo SP are fighting relegation, while Criciúma chase promotion.
Free Tips on Botafogo SP vs Criciúma
To make a sharp Botafogo SP vs Criciúma betting pick, you need to lean on the stats and stories from their past clashes and current campaigns. This list highlights fresh angles to consider, pulling from historical data and team dynamics to give you an edge. Here are five tips tailored to this Série B showdown to guide your wager.
- Historical Scoring Trends: Check the goal patterns in their head-to-heads, as three of the last five Botafogo SP vs Criciúma matches saw one team fail to score, hinting at a low-scoring affair.
- Player-Specific Impact: Focus on Criciúma’s key attackers, who’ve been clutch in tight games, as their form could exploit Botafogo SP’s shaky defense.
- Venue Influence: Estádio Santa Cruz’s passionate crowd can lift Botafogo SP, but their poor pitch condition might disrupt their passing game against Criciúma’s compact setup.
- Fixture Fatigue: Criciúma’s recent congested schedule, with three games in 10 days, could lead to tired legs, potentially leveling the playing field for Botafogo SP.
- Referee Tendencies: J. Pinheiro’s strict officiating often leads to cards, so betting on over 4.5 cards could be a smart play given the match’s high stakes.
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Botafogo SP vs Criciúma Prediction 2025
For the Botafogo SP vs Criciúma prediction 2025, I’m leaning toward a narrow Criciúma win. Botafogo SP’s home form is decent, but their inability to score—blanked in three straight games—spells trouble against a Criciúma side that’s found its groove. The visitors’ recent wins, including a 1-0 upset against Atlético GO, show they can grind out results, especially away. Their defense, conceding sparingly, should handle Botafogo SP’s blunt attack. The Botafogo SP vs Criciúma odds reflect a close game, with Criciúma at 2.88 and Botafogo SP at 2.70, but I see value in backing the visitors on the Asian Handicap (0.0) at 2.00, offering a refund if it’s a draw. Criciúma’s momentum and Botafogo SP’s scoring drought tip the scales. A 1-0 scoreline feels likely, as Criciúma’s clinical finishing meets Botafogo SP’s defensive stubbornness. The low-scoring trend in both teams’ recent games also points to under 2.5 goals, and I doubt both teams will score given Botafogo SP’s struggles.
Our Prediction: Botafogo SP 0-1 Criciúma
| Prediction Type | Prediction | Odds |
| Match Result | Criciúma Win | 2.85 |
| Both Teams to Score | No | 1.53 |
| Total Goals | Under 2.5 | 1.36 |
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