Preview: Botafogo vs. Fluminense - prediction, team news, lineups

The pair are separated only by goal difference in the Serie A standings, and both feature in the top seven ahead of the latest Classico Vovo - a fixture first played in 1905, making it the oldest 'classic' in Brazilian football.

Match preview

After just one win from their previous five outings, Fluminense have enjoyed a more productive few days over the last week - posting successive wins in league and cup.

Last Sunday's 2-0 defeat of promoted Avai, with goals from top scorer German Cano and Matheus Martins, was followed by a midweek first-leg victory over Cruzeiro in the Copa do Brasil last-16; putting some gloss on an inconsistent month so far.

With a one-man advantage from the 38th minute onwards, Flu could not convert their dominance at Maracana into a definitive lead ahead of next month's return leg, but are nonetheless favourites for progress to the quarter-finals.

Since their remarkable 5-3 win against reigning Brasileiro champions Atletico Mineiro, the Tricolor have registered four points from their next three league games, and sit sixth in the table with a third of the season now completed.

The Serie A standings remain particularly tight - Fernando Diniz's side are still only four points clear of the relegation zone, for example - but victory on Sunday would not only see them get one over on their oldest rivals; they would also remain on the coat-tails of the current top five.

Their opponents, though, can now leapfrog them with a win of their own this weekend, following surprising back-to-back successes in Serie A.

Having been boosted by a 1-0 victory over Sao Paulo just days beforehand, Botafogo continued their adaptation to life back in the top flight by beating Internacional in a thrilling climax to the teams' clash last weekend.

A pulsating finale ended in an unedifying fight and much confusion in Beira-Rio, as even with one man down for more than 80 minutes, the Alvinegro battled back from behind to win 3-2 - through goals scored by Vinicius Lopes, Erison and Hugo - the latter's winner coming in the 11th minute of stoppage time.

Head coach Luis Castro - formerly of Shakhtar Donetsk - was sent off alongside two players on either side, but his team certainly proved their mettle in the face of an invasion of their training headquarters by disgruntled fans last week.

Four straight defeats triggered such outrage, but following a slow start upon their return to Serie A, Castro's men have now escaped the confines of the relegation zone.

In fact, such is the compressed state of the standings, they are just a point away from occupying a Copa Libertadores qualifying place, and a positive result against their most familiar foes would help build more momentum.

Botafogo Brasileiro form:

Fluminense Brasileiro form:

Fluminense form (all competitions):

Team News

Fernando Diniz appears set to contest the derby with a fully fit squad and may be loath to make changes to an in-form side despite the volume of games in recent days.

Centre-forward German Cano continues to lead the line, having added a cup goal to his six league strikes so far this season, and should feature at the head of a 4-2-3-1 formation for the visitors.

Veteran playmaker Ganso - capped eight times by Brazil over a decade ago - will play an integral creative role from just behind, while teenage winger Matheus Martins will hope to be involved again at some stage.

Though they recently signed defender Fernando Marcal from Premier League outfit Wolves, Botafogo cannot field their new recruit until next month, when his current contract expires and the Brasileiro transfer window opens.

Luis Castro can call upon Argentinian centre-back Victor Cuesta, though, after the loanee missed his team's eventful win over parent club Internacional last time out.

Recently linked to Real Madrid, 18-year-old wonderkid Matheus Nascimento is a contender to break into the starting lineup, amid a long injury list at the club: Gustavo Sauer, Rafael and Diego Goncalves are among those sidelined once again.

Botafogo possible starting lineup:

Fernandez; Kanu, Carli, Cuesta; Saravia, Kayque, De Paula, Hugo; Lopez, Erison, Piazon

Fluminense possible starting lineup:

Fabio; Xavier, Manoel, Nino, Paulista; Wellington, Andre; Henrique, Ganso, Arias; Cano

We say: Botafogo 2-2 Fluminense

A potentially fiery affair could be in store for this edition of the Classico Vovo, and as both sides have had little trouble finding the net lately, there may be several goals to enjoy too - a score draw being perhaps the likeliest result.

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