With a chance to rise to the summit of the Campeonato Brasileiro Serie A table, Athletico Paranaense will look for a second straight win when they travel to Botafogo on Sunday.

A victory last time out saw the visitors remain fourth, just two points behind league leaders Palmeiras, while their hosts have dropped back down to 12th spot after three consecutive defeats.

Match preview

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Botafogo have certainly experienced a mixed campaign since winning promotion back to the Brazilian top flight, having started impressively with three wins and 12 points from their opening seven outings.

A run of four straight defeats then followed, triggering a fan invasion of the training ground as Fogo quickly slid down the table, only to arrest their slump with back-to-back wins over Sao Paulo and Internacional.

Luis Castro's side would then continue their improvement by bouncing back from a defeat to Fluminense with a 1-0 win away at Bragantino, thanks to Vinicius Lopes's second-half goal, but have since suffered three straight league defeats and four across all competitions.

That away triumph was firstly followed by a 2-0 defeat at the hands of Cuiaba, before Fogo suffered 2-0 and 1-0 defeats to Atletico Mineiro in Copa do Brasil and league action respectively, and, hoping to end a losing run, they fell short against Santos last time out as goals from Leo Baptistao and Marcos Leonardo condemned them to a 2-0 beating.

Having now dropped back down to 12th spot, with just a three-point lead over the relegation zone in a tight bottom half, Castro's men will be desperate to turn their form around and begin climbing again, starting with what would be an impressive victory at the weekend.

They take on an Athletico Paranaense side looking to strengthen their position at the top end of the table, having found an impressive streak of form following a tough start to the season.

With just six points from their opening six games, including four defeats, El Rubro-Negro did not look set to mount a challenge towards the top, but they quickly put their struggles behind them as a nine-game unbeaten run followed.

In that streak, Luiz Felipe Scolari's side posted six victories, including an eye-catching 1-0 away victory over current league leaders Palmeiras, to put themselves in the leading pack with 27 points from 15 games.

The run finally came to an end when the Parana outfit were, somewhat surprisingly, beaten 2-1 away at newly-promoted Goias, and they were unable to return to winning ways in the following encounter against Internacional, settling for a point from a goalless draw after beating Bahia 2-1 to reach the Copa do Brasil quarter-finals.

Scolari did not have to wait much longer for a league triumph, though, as the Rubro-Negro kept themselves two points off top spot with a 4-1 thrashing of Atletico Goianiense thanks to goals from Tomas Cuello, Agustin Canobbio, David Terans and Leo Cittadini, and they will now aim for a second straight victory to boost their chances of moving to the summit of the Brazilian top flight.

Team News

Botafogo should recall striker Erison back into the starting XI, after he was reduced to a substitute appearance last time out, despite leading their scoring charts with six in the league so far this season.

Braga loanee Lucas Piazon will also be vying to feature from the outset on the wing, with Jeffinho's place on the left likely at risk.

New signing Marcal played his first game for the club at left-back last time out, following a switch from Wolverhampton Wanderers, and he will make a first home appearance for Fogo on Sunday.

Athletico Paranaense's attack so far this season has largely been inspired by creative midfielder David Terans, who has netted seven goals and provided two assists in 16 league appearances thus far.

Agustin Canobbio and Tomas Cuello should also keep their places on the wings after each getting on the scoresheet alongside Terans in the 4-1 victory last time out, with the striker spot possibly most up for grabs.

Fernandinho, who recently rejoined the club from Manchester City after winning five Premier League titles, featured off the bench in that win and will hope to come in from the outset, either in defence or at the base of midfield.

Botafogo possible starting lineup:
Fernandez; Saravia, Sampaio, Kanu, Marcal; Tche, Oyama; Lopes, Fernandes, Piazon; Erison

Athletico Paranaense possible starting lineup:
Bento; Khellven, Henrique, Hernandez, Abner; Fernandinho, Erick; Canobbio, Terans, Cuello; Pedro

We say: Botafogo 1-3 Athletico Paranaense

The visitors will have renewed confidence following their return to winning ways, and they meet Botafogo at a good time with Castro's side struggling for form.

We envisage an away victory on Sunday, with the Rubro-Negro having enough to outclass their hosts.

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

Written by
Sam Varley

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