Botafogo v Fortaleza: how to watch, stats, head-to-head, line-ups | OneFootball

Botafogo and Fortaleza face off this Sunday at 4:00 PM (Brasília time) at Estádio Nilton Santos, for the 38th round of the 2025 Brazilian Championship. The match brings together two teams under pressure with opposing goals: Botafogo is seeking a direct spot in the 2026 Libertadores, while Fortaleza is fighting to avoid relegation.

Fogão comes into the game with 60 points and needs to win, as well as hope for a draw between Fluminense and Bahia at Maracanã. Fortaleza, on the other hand, with 43 points, depends only on itself to remain in the top division: a win guarantees their stay without relying on other results.

Where to watch Botafogo vs Fortaleza live?

Botafogo’s current form

They are on a nine-game unbeaten streak but are dealing with a series of absences. Coach Davide Ancelotti lost defender David Ricardo, who was sent off against Cruzeiro. Barboza remains doubtful due to a knee injury and may be replaced by Newton. In attack, Arthur Cabral keeps his starting spot, while Danilo is still trying to recover in time to be included in the squad.

Injured: Léo Linck, Neto, Barboza, Kaio Pantaleão, Bastos, David Ricardo, Danilo, Joaquín Correa, Savarino, and Matheus Martins.

Fortaleza’s current form

Martín Palermo’s team is experiencing its best moment of the second half of the season, unbeaten in nine matches and riding important victories. For this game, however, the coach will not be able to count on Herrera, suspended due to his third yellow card. João Ricardo, Bruno Pacheco, Emmanuel Martínez, and Lucca Prior remain in the medical department. Marinho and Rodrigo are available again.

Head-to-head record

Botafogo and Fortaleza have faced each other 23 times, with a wide advantage for Botafogo:

In the first round, Fogão thrashed Fortaleza 5-0 at Castelão.

Probable lineups

BOTAFOGO Raul; Vitinho, Gabriel Bahia, Marçal, and Alex Telles; Newton, Marlon Freitas, Álvaro Montoro, and Santi Rodríguez; Jordan Barrera and Arthur Cabral. Coach: Davide Ancelotti.

FORTALEZA Brenno; Mancuso, Emanuel Brítez, Gastón Ávila, and Diogo Barbosa; Matheus Pereira, Lucas Sasha, and Tomás Pochettino; Breno Lopes, Adam Bareiro, and Deyverson. Coach: Martín Palermo.

Refereeing

Match details

BOTAFOGO vs FORTALEZA Competition: Brazilian Championship – 38th round Date: December 7, 2025 (Sunday) Time: 4:00 PM (Brasília time) Venue: Estádio Nilton Santos, Rio de Janeiro (RJ) Broadcast: Globo and Premiere

This article was translated into English by Artificial Intelligence. You can read the original version in 🇧🇷 here.