Rio rivals Botafogo and Fluminense set for a tight derby

Brazilian Serie A
Midnight Monday

We're just four games into the Brazilian Serie A season and Rio de Janeiro rivals Botafogo and Fluminense have already both tasted victories, draws and defeats.

Their up-and-down starts to the campaign have left the sides in mid-table, and despite the embryonic nature of the standings that would seem about right, with Fluminense ninth out of 20 in the league-winners market (30-1) and Botafogo joint-12th (70-1).

It's one of the biggest rivalries in Brazilian football, and the teams are traditionally well-matched. In 18 meetings at the Estadio Olimpico Nilton Santos since it opened in 2007 there have been five wins for Botafogo, five wins for Fluminense and eight draws, with 22 goals for Botafogo and 23 for Fluminense.

Both teams have scored in four of Botafogo's last five games with three of them finishing 1-1, including a draw against Chilean side Audex Italiano in the Copa Sudamericana last Thursday.

Three of Fluminense's four league games have seen both teams score - and that's a tempting bet at evens, as is the draw at 23-10. Braver punters should consider backing the 1-1 correct score.

Neither side is likely to run away with it and the tense derby atmosphere could see the points shared.

Recommendation
1-1 correct score
1pt 11-2 Betway

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