From the Same Country

Palmeiras and Botafogo @5PM will become just the second pair of teams from the same country to meet at a FIFA Club World Cup (CWC) when facing off in the inaugural last-16 match of the newly formatted competition. Palmeiras topped Group A despite winning just one of their three matches, although clean sheets against both Porto (0-0) and Al Ahly (2-0) are something for head coach Abel Ferreira to be encouraged by as he prepares for his 11th meeting with Botafogo (W3, D3, L4). None of the last five of those ended in victory for Ferreira (D2, L3), and with the São Paulo-based side having won only two of their last six encounters (D2, L2) since a seven-game winning streak between late April and late May, they’re battling to overcome several omens here. Botafogo are outsiders for this contest despite claiming more CWC group wins (W2, L1) than Palmeiras and against arguably tougher opposition, headlined by European giants PSG and Atlético Madrid. The 1-0 loss to Atlético on matchday three ended a five-game winning streak that included three clean sheets and a surprise triumph over PSG (1-0), so their outsiders tag here does come as a bit of a surprise. Botafogo beat Palmeiras 4-3 on aggregate in the last 16 of the 2024 Copa Libertadores on their way to winning the trophy. Botafogo are unbeaten in five competitive H2Hs since the start of 2024 (W3, D2), although the only one of those five under current boss Renato Paiva was a 0-0 Série A away draw. Palmeiras have registered a clean sheet in eight of their last nine wins. Palmeiras have not led at half-time in any of their last seven games against Botafogo. Maurício helped rescue Palmeiras with a late equaliser against Inter Miami and ensure his team remain unbeaten in 2025 when he’s scored (W5, D2). Jefferson Savarino assisted Botafogo’s winner against PSG and could take inspiration from having netted in two of the last three H2Hs. Murilo Cerqueira went off injured in the first 20 minutes of Palmeiras’ game against Inter Miami. Aníbal Moreno missed that game with a thigh issue but is aiming to be fit for this fixture. There are no new known absences for Botafogo.