Cruzeiro Eyes Second Place, Botafogo Fights for Libertadores

Thursday's Brasileirão fixture sees Cruzeiro host Botafogo in a match with significant implications for both clubs' final standings. Cruzeiro, having relinquished championship aspirations, now focuses on securing the runner-up position in the league table. Their aim is to capitalize on this penultimate round to solidify their second-place finish.

Botafogo, conversely, is engaged in an intense battle for a coveted spot in the group stage of the upcoming Copa Libertadores. This high-stakes encounter demands their best performance, making any team disruption particularly impactful. The team's preparation has been hampered by a series of unfortunate events.

Adding to Botafogo's challenges, manager Davide Ancelotti must contend with numerous player absences. Several key individuals are sidelined due to suspensions and various physical or health issues. Notably, only five starters from their previous match are expected to feature, underscoring the depth of their squad challenges.