Botafogo look to be unstoppable in Brazil

Botafogo look to be unstoppable in Brazil

TAB pools boosted to ensure huge payouts

By Mark Gleeson

Botafogo were not expected to keep up the momentum they showed in the early stages of the new Brazilian season but have bucked the odds to open up a significant gap at the top of the table.

It has been 28 years since the fabled club from Rio de Janeiro, who produced World Cup winners like Didi, Garrincha and Jairzinho, have won the Brasileiro but they are making a strong bid this year to end the long drought.

They have romped through the early part of the season with 13 wins from their 16 matches for a total of 40 points. There are still three more fixtures before they get to the halfway stage of the season but if they can keep up the points haul, they will romp away with the championship. Last season’s league winners Palmeiras finished the campaign with 81 points from 38 matches.

When coach Luis Castro left the club to join Cristiano Ronaldo’s Al-Nassr earlier this month, there were fears that Botafogo’s momentum could slide, but former Wolverhampton Wanderers boss Bruno Lage has picked up where Castro left off.

After overseeing a 2-0 victory against Gremio in his first match in charge, Lage guided Lone Star to another 2-0 win over Bragantino, meaning that Botafogo have won six league games in a row without conceding a single goal.

Last week’s 2-2 draw at Santos ended that run of clean sheets but they have still conceded a measly nine goals, while keeping 10 clean sheets and enhancing their status as the strongest team in the country.

They are on a 11-game unbeaten streak across all competitions, having picked up seven wins and four draws since their last loss, and are expected to extend that in Sunday’s home game against Coritiba, who sit inside the relegation zone.

Second placed Gremio go to struggling Goias while Flamengo, who are in third spot in the standings, are away at the inconsistent Atletico Mineiro. These are tough outings for the two frontrunners and by the end of the weekend we might see Botafogo with an even bigger lead.

The Belgian league kicks off tonight with the derby between Anderlecht and Union Saint Gilloise, who despite finishing third last season have a new coach. Alexander Blessin is now at the helm.

From Anderlecht's perspective, they have the task of attempting to get back into the upper echelons of Belgian football after recording their lowest finish since 1937 last season.