Simon Dalton presents his prediction for the FIFA Club World Cup match.
Two clubs well-acquainted through domestic competition are set to face off in the round of 16 of the Club World Cup. Palmeiras entering the tie as favourites, both their group stage performance and recent head-to-head record suggest Botafogo might have the upper hand.
Palmeiras
Palmeiras advanced confidently from Group A without losing a match. The team drew against Porto and Inter Miami, defeated Al-Ahli (2:0), and conceded only two goals in the group. However, they failed to score against Porto despite generating 2.06 xG, and only managed a late equaliser against Inter Miami, whose defensive organisation declined in the closing stages. Their only convincing win came against the weakest side in the group. Moreover, Palmeiras have failed to win any of their last five competitive meetings against Botafogo.
Botafogo
Botafogo, in contrast, emerged from a more challenging group featuring Paris Saint-Germain and Atlético Madrid, yet still secured a spot in the knockout round. Victories over Seattle Sounders FC (2:1) and notably Paris Saint-Germain (1:0), combined with a narrow 0:1 defeat to Atlético Madrid, were enough to claim second place. It’s worth noting that the Spaniards only broke through in the 87th minute, after the Brazilians had successfully contained their attack. The squad averaged just 35% possession throughout the tournament, the second-lowest among all participants, but that strategy has proven effective.
Palmeiras vs Botafogo Prediction
Botafogo have delivered solid performances against top-level opposition, while Palmeiras have struggled to impress against stronger teams during the group stage. In our view, the Brazilians are capable of containing their opponents and at least forcing a draw.
