Atletico Mineiro (Brazil) vs Botafogo (Brazil)
Atletico Mineiro were able to hold onto a scoreless away draw at River Plate in the return leg of the semi-finals to make it 3-0 on aggregate and will fight for their second Copa Libertadores’ title. On Tuesday, they lost 3-2 to EC Juventude at home. As a result, O Galo remain on 44 points after 36 rounds of Brasileirao action, which places them in tenth spot of the league table. In fact, Gabriel Milito’s men are holding a ten-game winless streak of four draws and six defeats in all competitions.
Meanwhile, Botafogo FR took advantage of their 5-0 home success in the first leg to advance to their first Copa Libertadores’ final in history despite losing 3-1 away in Uruguay. Last Tuesday, they also secured a massive 3-1 away victory at SE Palmeiras to stay as Brasleirao leaders on on 73 points, advantaging their last opponents by three with just two rounds to go. Artur Jorge’s men are unbeaten in their last five matches in all competitions, winning two and drawing three.
I expect an open game here between the best attack in Brazil and probably future champions Botafogo who will be looking at getting their first ever Libertadores. Like it happened last week in the Sudamericana final, a goal should open things up so this line looks too short for such an important game.