Preview: Atletico Mineiro vs. Botafogo – prediction, team news, lineups

In the fourth all-Brazilian final on Copa Libertadores over the past five years, Botafogo will be looking to lift the trophy for the first time when they fight Atletico Mineiro Saturday at Estadio Mas Monumental in Buenos Aires.

A 3–0 aggregate win in their semi-final match with River Plate allowed Mineiro to reach this stage for the second time, while Fogo eliminated Penarol with a 6–3 aggregate score.

Match preview

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Some resolute defending and strong overall performances at home have left Atletico Mineiro one win away from South American greatness for the second time in the club’s history.

In the knockout stages of this tournament, they have been razor sharp at the back, conceding just two goals while keeping three consecutive clean sheets.

Since their 0-0 draw against River Plate at the end of October, this team has gone winless in eight consecutive games across all competitions and has conceded more goals in back-to-back Brasileiro fixtures.

Gabriel Milito‘s men have not won a Libertadores knockout match this year away from home, but are also unbeaten in three previous road contests at this tournament.

At the same time, Atletico have not beaten a Brazilian opponent in the knockout stage of the Libertadores since 2013, defeating Sao Paulo that year, 2-1 and 4-1 respectively, en route to lifting the trophy for the first and only time to date.

Last time they were in the final of this tournament, Galo overturned a 2-0 first leg deficit against Olimpia, winning the second leg by the same scoreline before claiming the title in a shootout.

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For Botafogo, the road to the final has been full of close calls, but each time the league leaders in the Brazilian top flight this season have found a way.

After a narrow 3-2 aggregate victory over Palmeiras, followed by a shootout triumph against Sao Paulo, Fogo left nothing to chance in their opening semi-final affair, winning 5-0.

It was enough to see them through to the final for the first time in the club’s history as they seek their first away win in the knockout stage of this tournament.

After losing to Penarol in the second leg of their semi-final tie, the club from Rio are unbeaten in five consecutive games in all competitions and have conceded just two goals during that period.

Arthur JorgeThe team are unbeaten in their last 19 games against Brasileiro Serie A sides and have not lost to a club from Brazil since Juventude beat them 3-2 in August.

O Glorioso have conceded just once in their last five meetings against Atletico Mineiro, losing just one of those meetings (1-0 in 2023 at Arena MRV).

Atletico Mineiro Copa Libertadores form:

Atletico Mineiro form (all competitions):

Botafogo Copa Libertadores form:

Botafogo form (all competitions):

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For this meeting, Atletico will probably be without Caduwho is recovering from knee surgery, and Matias Zarachowho could be a few weeks away from a return after sustaining a muscle injury.

Only three players who did not feature in the opening match against River Plate saw the field in the return engagement as Eduardo Vargas, Renzo Saravia and Rubens all entered the match in Buenos Aires as substitutes.

Everson stopped the six efforts he faced in their previous Libertadores affair and collected his third consecutive clean sheet of the competition.

Regarding Botafogo, Raphael is the only injury concern, with the defender not expected to return from his knee injury until early December.

Mateo Ponte will not be available for this match after being sent off less than 10 minutes after coming on as a substitute Vitinho in the second half of their previous Libertadores game.

Five changes were made to their starting 11 in the second game against Penarol, with Adrielson, Danilo, Tche Tche, Matheus Martins and Tiquinho replacement Alexander Barboza, Gregory, Luiz Henrique, Igor Jesus and Thiago Almadawith Almada scoring their only goal in leg two.

Atletico Mineiro possible starting line-up:
Everson; Lyanco, Battaglia, Alonso; Scarpa, Vera, Franco, Arana; Hulk, Paulinho; Deyverson

Botafogo possible starting lineup:
John; Vitinho, Adryelson, Bastos, Telles; Gregor, Freitas; Savarino, Tche Tche, Almada; Santos

We say: Atletico Mineiro 0-1 Botafogo

Mineiro will not be an easy defensive unit to break down, but Fogo are more than comfortable in close games and we believe they will find a solution given all the momentum they have on their side.

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

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